Chennai to host India’s first night street race in 2024 with Indian Racing Festival: Details | Auto News

Chennai is gearing up for India’s first night street race, part of the Indian Racing Festival. Scheduled from August 30 to September 1, 2024, the historic event will offer thrilling racing action under the city lights.

Get ready for India’s historic night race: Chennai Formula Circuit lights up in August

The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is all set to break new ground in the world of motorsports with its first-ever night street race. This groundbreaking event will take place from August 30 to September 1, 2024 at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit and promises to be a thrilling spectacle for racing enthusiasts.

Indian Racing Festival: historic night race in Chennai

For the first time in India, racing fans will witness the action of a night race on a street circuit. Chennai, known as India’s motorsports hub, will host this historic event, featuring both the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC). The race will be held under the lights at the 3.5-kilometre Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, offering an exciting new experience for fans and drivers alike.

Indian Racing Festival: Event Details & Track Layout

A collaboration between Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit is designed to showcase the city’s vibrant motorsports scene. Winding past major landmarks including the iconic Marina Beach, the circuit features 19 corners, multiple chicanes and tricky elevation changes. The layout promises to test the skills of drivers and provide an enthralling show for spectators.

Most important features:

• Length of track: 3.5 kilometers
• Track layout: 19 bends, chicanes and tricky elevation changes
• Place: Chennai Formula Race Circuit

Indian Racing Festival: Why a Night Race?

Night races are known for their dramatic and visually stunning appeal. They offer a unique atmosphere, with the floodlit track and city lights adding to the excitement. The Chennai Night Race aims to raise India’s motorsport profile by aligning it with international racing events held in cities such as Singapore and Saudi Arabia. The event is expected to draw a lot of attention from both local fans and international racing enthusiasts.

Indian Racing Festival: Support and Impact

The night race has received strong support from the Tamil Nadu government, with prominent figures such as J. Meghanatha Reddy IAS and Akhilesh Reddy expressing their support. The event is expected to cement Chennai’s status as India’s leading motorsport destination, attract international drivers and enhance the city’s reputation on the global racing scene.

Key Supporting Figures: J. Meghanatha Reddy IAS: Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Akhilesh Reddy: Chairman and Managing Director, RPPL, Narain Karthikeyan: Former Formula 1 Driver

Race festivals and championships

The Indian Racing Festival has two main championships:

1. Indian Race League (IRL): India’s only 4-wheeler racing competition and the world’s first gender-neutral racing championship. It features six city-based teams competing in a franchise-based format.
2. FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC): An open-wheel, single-seater racing category designed for junior drivers. It provides a stepping stone for aspiring racers, with Super Licence points and opportunities for young drivers to showcase their talent.

Chennai’s Motorsports Heritage

Known as the “Detroit of South Asia,” Chennai has a rich motorsports history. The city’s existing race tracks and past events have established it as a hub for racing activity. The addition of a night race only further enhances Chennai’s reputation as a premier motorsports venue.

Chennai Motorsport Highlights:

• Previous events: Several racing events held at local circuits
• Features of the track: Designed for fast, exciting racing

Upcoming planning:

• Pre-season testing: August 22-23, 2024
• Opening round: August 24-25, 2024, at the Madras International Circuit
• Night race: August 30-September 1, 2024, at Chennai Formula Racing Circuit