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Chennai, the vibrant capital of Tamil Nadu, is gearing up to host India's first-ever Formula 4 night street racing event from August 30th to September 1st. This groundbreaking spectacle will take place in the heart of the city, around the iconic Island Grounds, on a 3.5-kilometer stretch near the picturesque Marina Beach.The event will feature two distinct categories: the Indian Racing League (IRL), an IPL-style franchise-based race, and Formula 4 (F4) racing, designed for junior drivers. The IRL will see teams from various cities compete for a prize pool of 1.5 crores, while F4 drivers will earn crucial Super Licence points, essential for their progression to Formula 1.Among the team owners are renowned cricketer Sourav Ganguly and Bollywood star Arjun Kapoor. The racing will commence at 4:30 PM and continue for approximately five hours, with traffic being diverted during this period. Tickets are priced from Rs. 299 onwards, making it accessible to fans from all walks of life.The Marina Beach stretch will be transformed into a challenging circuit with 19 turns, multiple chicanes, and tricky elevations, promising an adrenaline-pumping experience for both drivers and spectators. The Tamil Nadu government has invested around 30 crores to develop exclusive roads that meet racing standards.Tamil Nadu has a rich history in motorsports, having produced India's first Formula 1 racing driver, Narain Karthikeyan, and Karun Chandok. The state is also home to several car manufacturers, making it an ideal location for this prestigious event."This event will elevate Chennai's global branding," said Meghanath Reddy, CEO of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. "We will join the ranks of only 14 cities worldwide that host Formula 4 races and become one of the five to hold night street racing."Despite initial concerns about noise pollution, organizers have assured that noise levels will be within permissible limits and that evacuation points and ambulances will be strategically placed along the track."Ticket pricing is affordable, so ordinary fans can witness this thrilling spectacle," said Abhinandan, Director of Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL), the event organizer.The Indian Racing League championship carries a prize pool of 1.5 crores, while F4 racers will earn Super Licence points, crucial for their progression to F1. Akbar Ebrahim, President of the Federation of Motor Sport Clubs of India, expressed his excitement, saying, "This event brings motorsports to the doorstep of the general public. If successful, India and Tamil Nadu will be firmly placed on the global map."Revenue streams for the organizers include sponsorship, television and OTT rights, and advertisement boards along the track, with a portion of the proceeds going to the state government.Politically, this event is the brainchild of Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has played a key role in hosting major sporting events such as the Chess Olympiad, Asian-level Hockey, and international surfing. The ruling party is expected to leverage this event to build a narrative around Stalin amid speculation of his elevation to Deputy Chief Minister.

Sourav Ganguly Joins Indian Racing Festival as Kolkata Royal Tigers OwnerFormer Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has become the owner of the Kolkata Royal Tigers, a new racing team set to compete in the Indian Racing Festival 2024. The festival, scheduled for August-September, will feature eight teams from major Indian cities, including Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Kochi, and Ahmedabad.Ganguly, who is also a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), expressed his excitement about the venture. "Motorsports has always been a passion of mine," he said. "Together with the Kolkata Royal Tigers, we aim to build a strong legacy in the Indian Racing Festival and inspire a new generation of motorsport enthusiasts."The Indian Racing Festival encompasses two main championships: the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). The IRL is a team-based championship featuring identical race cars, while the F4IC is a single-seater championship for young drivers.Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL), welcomed Ganguly to the racing fold. "His visionary leadership and commitment to excellence bring unparalleled dynamism to the Indian Racing Festival," he said.Ganguly's involvement in the Indian Racing Festival follows a trend of sports stars investing in motorsport. Recently, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin acquired stakes in American Gambits, a team competing in the Global Chess League.The Indian Racing Festival aims to promote motorsport in India and provide a platform for young drivers to showcase their skills. The festival is expected to attract a large audience and generate significant interest in the sport.

Atiqa Mir, the 9-year-old Indian racing prodigy, has made history by becoming the only Asian and youngest karter shortlisted for the inaugural selection process of Iron Dames' Young Talents initiative. This prestigious program aims to nurture young female racers aged 8-13 who aspire to excel in motorsports.Iron Dames, a renowned all-women motorsports team, has achieved remarkable feats in World Endurance Racing, including becoming the first female team to triumph in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2023. Their Young Talents initiative seeks to cultivate the next generation of female racing stars.Atiqa's selection from a global pool of applicants is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. The Iron Dames detection cell meticulously assessed each candidate's passion, motorsport experience, and career aspirations.The shortlisted participants represent a diverse range of nationalities, reflecting the global reach of the Iron Dames project. They will undergo rigorous scouting events that will evaluate their driving skills, commitment, work ethic, and alignment with Iron Dames' values.Atiqa's journey to this point has been marked by numerous victories and titles. She is the reigning IAME UAE National Vice-Champion and has competed successfully in various international karting championships. Her recent performance as Runner-up in Round 1 of the MECO RMC Indian National Karting Championship further solidifies her credentials.The evaluation process will be conducted with the expertise of PREMA Racing, an esteemed Italian motorsport team. Exceptional talents identified through this initiative will join the Iron Dames family, gaining access to personalized development programs, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and world-class training facilities.Atiqa's selection is a significant milestone for Indian motorsports. Her participation in the Iron Dames Young Talents initiative not only represents her own aspirations but also inspires countless young girls who dream of pursuing a career in racing.

Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is gearing up for the 2024 DTM season with a formidable lineup of drivers and teams. The brand will be represented by two established Performance Teams: Mercedes-AMG Team HRT and Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD Racing. At the helm of the racing cars from Affalterbach, Germany, will be a quartet of talented drivers: Lucas Auer (Austria), Maro Engel (Germany), Arjun Maini (India), and Luca Stolz (Germany).Mercedes-AMG is celebrating 130 years of motorsport under the motto "Defining Motorsport since 1894," coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the DTM. The brand aims to bring the DTM trophy back to Affalterbach after its 2021 victory.Mercedes-AMG Team HRT will rely on the proven driver pairing of Arjun Maini and Luca Stolz, who have been teammates since 2022. Maini, the first Indian driver in DTM, made history in 2021 with a second-place finish at the Norisring. He showed strong form in the second half of the 2023 season and has been promoted to Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver status for 2024.Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD Racing will field Maro Engel and Lucas Auer, both experienced and successful drivers in the DTM. Engel, a former DTM champion, has 13 race wins to his credit, while Auer has won four races and finished second in the championship standings twice.The 2024 DTM season will consist of eight rounds with a total of 16 races, taking place in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. The season opener will be held at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben from April 26 to 28, with the official test days in Hockenheim scheduled for early April.Arjun Maini expressed his excitement about returning to the DTM in 2024, aiming to deliver consistently strong results and build on his previous experience. He is particularly looking forward to the Norisring, where he scored his maiden DTM podium.Mercedes-AMG is determined to reclaim its dominance in the DTM after a challenging 2023 season. The brand is focused on building on its previous achievements and is confident in the abilities of its drivers and teams to bring home the championship title.