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Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai

Round 1 of MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship kicked off in Madras International Circuit.

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Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai

The Madras International Circuit buzzed with excitement as the first round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 unfolded over the weekend.

Qualifying Highlights

On Friday, teenagers Sarthak Chavan from Pune and Chiranth Vishwanath from Bengaluru dominated the Pro-Stock 301-400cc category. The two 17-year-olds, representing TVS Racing, claimed the top two positions, with Chavan setting a pole time of 1:51.688. Gusto Racing India’s Sairahil Pillarisetty from Hyderabad followed closely behind. Chavan also secured pole position in the Pro-Stock 165cc Open category, indicating his potential for a double victory.

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai
Sarthak Chavan of TVS Racing (Image: Anand Philar)

Equally noteworthy was the performance of 17-year-old Abdul Basim from Chennai, who claimed pole in the Novice (Stock 165cc) category. Former National champion Ann Jennifer led the Girls (Stock 165cc) category. Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan from Chennai topped the Stock 301-400cc (Novice) category.

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai
Abdul Basim who qualified on Pole in Novice category (Image: Anand Philar)

In the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup, Mallapuram’s Mohsin Paramban, 22, secured pole position in the NSF 250R category. He narrowly edged out 15-year-old Rakshith S Dave from Chennai, with Shyam Sundar also from Chennai, rounding out the top three. Mohsin’s hot lap of 01:51.187 was just ahead of Rakshith’s 01:51.218, while Shyam posted a time of 01:71.708.

The TVS Racing One-Make Championship saw Chennai’s Manoj Yesuadian setting the pace in the Open (RR 310) class qualifying session. Followed closely by Senthil Kumar from Coimbatore and Ajai Xavier M from Nagercoil. In the Rookie (Under-23) (Apache RTR 200) category, Tirupati’s CS Kedarnath topped the qualifying session. Bengaluru’s Harshith V Bogar and Thrissur’s Saranjith KM completed the front row.

Mumbai’s Sarah Khan concluded the day by comfortably securing pole position in the Girls (Apache RTR 200) class, finishing 2.4 seconds ahead of Pune’s Saimah Ajaz Baig. Coimbatore’s Aisvarya V trailed by three seconds.

Race Day Triumphs

Saturday’s races saw the spotlight on the Dave twins from Chennai. Rakshith Dave, 15, triumphed in the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup (NSF 250R) race, while his sister Rakshitha secured her maiden win in the Girls (Stock 165cc) category. Another set of siblings, KY Ahamed and Abdul Basim, also from Chennai, each won a race in their respective categories.

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai
Rakshitha Dave and Rakshith Dave (Image: Anand Philar)

In the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc race, Sarthak Chavan continued his excellent form by leading a 1-2 finish for TVS Racing alongside Chiranth Vishwanath. Despite a red flag that shortened the race to four laps, Sarthak maintained his composure and crossed the finish line first. However, in the Pro-Stock 165cc Open race, he faced a setback, crashing out while leading. KY Ahamed took advantage and claimed victory in a tight finish ahead of his TVS Racing teammate, Jagan Kumar.

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai
Sarthak Chavan celebrating his win

Also finishing on the top step of the podium was Chennai’s Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate), who won the Novice 301-400cc class. The class gained National championship status this season.

Earlier, pole-sitter Abdul Basim held off a strong challenge from Mysuru’s Tasmai Cariappa (Motul Sparks Racing), who led briefly in the penultimate lap but conceded the advantage. Basim went on to win, with Tasmai and Coimbatore’s Abhinav G (Chandra LGE Racing) finishing second and third, respectively.

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai
KY Ahamed (33) edging out Jagan Kumar to win the Pro-Stock 165cc Open race (Image Anand Philar)

Rakshitha Dave, starting from P2, moved in front by Turn-2, deftly avoiding any jostling behind her, and enjoyed a trouble-free run for a commanding win. Another Chennai rider, Jagathishee Kumaresan (One Racing), and Ryhana Bee (Motul Sparks Racing) settled for second and third spots, respectively, while pole-sitter Ann Jennifer (Alpha Racing) came in a disappointing fourth.

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai
Rakshitha Dave on way to winning the Girls (Stock 165cc) race (Image: Anand Philar)

“I am very happy to score my first-ever win in the National championship. I had a good start today and a trouble-free run after going into the lead early in the first lap. The bike too performed very well,” said a delighted Rakshitha.

In the TVS One-Make Championship Coimbatore’s Senthilkumar C took the honours in the truncated Open (Apache RR 310) race that was reduced to three laps from six due to a red flag stoppage following an on-track incident. Jayanth Pratipathi (Chennai) came in second, ahead of Nagercoil’s Ajai Xavier M.

Harshith V Bogar from Bengaluru notched a dominating win in the Rookie category with second-placed Saranjith KM (Thrissur) finishing some 10 seconds behind. Vijayawada’s Akarsh Jangam was a distant third.

Mumbai’s Sarah Khan won the Girls (RTR 200) race untroubled by Pune’s Saimah Ajaz Baig and Aisvarya V (Coimbatore).

On Sunday, teenagers Sarthak Chavan, Rakshitha Dave, Abdul Basim, and Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan each clinched double victories in their respective categories.

Seventeen-year-old Sarthak Chavan from Pune established himself as the frontrunner in the premier Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open class, winning both races in commanding fashion. Despite a strong challenge from fellow 17-year-old Chiranth Vishwanath of Bengaluru, who secured second place in both races, Sarthak’s pace proved unbeatable. The duo’s performance left the rest of the field competing for the remaining podium spot.

In the Pro-Stock 165cc category, Sarthak experienced a setback when a collision with Chiranth while battling for the lead caused him to crash. Although both riders rejoined the race, veteran TVS Racing teammates Jagan Kumar, KY Ahamed, and Deepak Ravikumar capitalized on the opportunity to finish in that order. This marked Jagan’s first win of the season after a challenging 2023.

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 kicks off in Chennai
Jagan Kumar (center), winner of the Pro-Stock 165cc Open race, flanked by KY Ahamed (left) and Deepak Ravikumar. (Image: Anand Philar)

Chennai schoolgirl Rakshitha Dave, at just 15 years old, delivered a flawless performance in the Girls (Stock 165cc) category. Following her victory in Race-1 on Saturday, Rakshitha secured an unchallenged win in Race-2, further establishing her dominance in the field.

Another standout performer from Chennai, Abdul Basim of Rockers Racing, achieved a clean sweep in the Novice (Stock 165cc) category. Abdul won Race-2 with ease, mirroring his performance in Saturday’s race, and showcasing his consistent form and skill.

Chennai’s Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan also notched a double victory in the Stock 301-400cc (Novice) class, leading from pole position in both races and demonstrating his racing prowess.

The Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup saw an impressive ride from Shyam Sundar of Chennai, who won the NSF 250R race after starting from P4 on the grid. Shyam skillfully navigated through the front-runners to secure victory, with Mallappuram’s Mohsin Paramban finishing second and Saturday’s winner, Rakshith Dave from Chennai, taking third.

The TVS One-Make Championship witnessed a stellar performance from Senthilkumar C of Coimbatore. He won both races in the Apache RR 310 category, continuing his relentless pace from Race-1 on Saturday to top Race-2, ahead of Chennai riders Manoj Yesuadian and Jayanth P.

Bengaluru’s Harshith V Bogar continued his dominance in the Rookie category, winning Race 2 after his triumph on Saturday. Tirupati’s CS Kedarnath took second place, while Saranjith KM from Thrissur finished third, completing the podium.

Earlier in the weekend, Sarthak Chavan comfortably topped the TVS Electric RTE race, with his rival Chiranth Vishwanath finishing second and Chennai’s Alwyn Sundar taking third.

Results from the weekend

Friday Qualifying results (Top 3, best laps):

National Championship – Pro-stock 301-400cc Open: 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, TVS Racing) (01min, 51.688secs); 2. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, TVS Racing) (01:52.581); 3. Sairahil Pillarisetty (Hyderabad, Gusto Racing India) (01:52.994).

Pro-Stock 165cc Open: 1. Sarthak Chavan (01:56.772); 2. Chiranth Vishwanath (01:58.251); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, TVS Racing) (01:58.463).

Novice – Stock 165cc: 1. Abdul Basim S (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (02:08.076); 2. Tasmai Cariappa (Mysuru, Motul Sparks Racing) (02:09.417); 3. Abhinav G (Coimbatore, Chandra LGE Racing team) (02:10.686).

Girls (Stock 165cc): 1. Ann Jennifer AS (Chennai, Alpha Racing India) (02:10.201); 2. Rakshitha Dave (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (02:10.381); 3. Jagathishree Kumaresan (Chennai, One Racing) (02: 10.799).

Novice – Stock 301-400cc: 1. Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (02:02.320); 2. Rohit Lad (Bengaluru, Mad Rabbit Racing) (02:02.668); 3. Lokesh V (Bengaluru, Pvt) (02:03.583).

Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup (NSF 250R Open): 1. Mohsin Paramban (Mallapuram) (01:51.187); 2. Rakshith S Dave (Chennai) 01:51.218); 3. Shyam Sundar (Chennai) (01:51.708).

TVS One-Make Championship – Open (Apache RR 310): 1. Manoj Yesuadian (Chennai) (01:56.672); 2. Senthil Kumar C (Coimbatore) (01:57.289); 3. Ajai Xavier M (Nagercoil) (01:58.785).

Rookie (Apache RTR 200): 1. CS Kedarnath (Tirupati) (02:11.108); 2. Harshith V Bogar (Bengaluru) (02:11.845); 3. Saranjith KM (Thrissur) (02:15.956).

Girls (Apache RTR 200): 1. Sarah Khan (Mumbai) (02:13.314); 2. Saimah Ajaz Baig (Pune) (02:15.771); 3. Aisvarya V (Coimbatore) (02:16.388).

Saturday results (Provisional, all 6 laps unless mentioned):

National Championship – Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open (Race-1, 4 laps): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, TVS Racing) (7mins, 36.007secs); 2. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, TVS Racing) (07:39.254); 3. Sairahil Pillarisetty (Hyderabad, Gusto Racing India) (07:41.470).

Pro-Stock 165cc Open (Race-1): 1. Ahamed KY (Chennai, TVS Racing) (12:04.178); 2. Jagan Kumar (Chennai, TVS Racing) (12:04.192); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, TVS Racing) (12:14.569).

Novice (Stock 165cc) Race-1: 1. Abdul Basim RS (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (12:55.808); 2. Tasmai Cariappa (Mysuru, Motul Sparks Racing) (12:56.136); 3. Abhinav G (Coimbatore, Chandra LGE Racing team) (13:04.554).

Girls (Stock 165cc) Race-1 (5 laps): 1. Rakshitha Dave (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (10:58.183); 2. Jagathishree Kumaresan (Chennai, One Racing) (11:03.012); 3. Ryhana Bee (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (11:03.150).

Novice (Stock 301-400cc) Race-1: 1. Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power 1 Ultimate) (12:17.257); 2. Lokesh V (Bengaluru, Pvt.) (12:23.458); 3. Varun Nanjundegowda (Mysuru, Gusto Racing India) (12:27.927).

Idemitsu Honda India Cup (NSF 250R) Race-1: 1. Rakshith S Dave (Chennai) (11:12.157); 2. Mohsin Paramban (Malappuram) (11:16.226); 3. AS James (Bengaluru) (11:16.669)

TVS One-Make Championship – Open (Apache RR 310) Race-1 (3 laps): 1. Senthilkumar C (Coimbatore) (05:56.457); 2. Jayanth Pratipathi (Chennai) (05:59.277); 3. Ajai Xavier (Nagercoil) (06:02.953).

Rookie (Apache RTR 200) Race-1: 1. Harshith V Bogar (Bengaluru) (13:43.666); 2. Saranjith KM (Thrissur) (13:53.770); 3. Akarsh Jangam (Vijayawada) (14:07.100).

Girls (Apache RTR 200) Race-1 (5 laps): 1. Sarah Khan (Mumbai) (11:19.075); 2. Saimah Ajaz Baig (Pune) (11:21.156); 3. Aisvariya V (Coimbatore) (11:23.221).

Sunday results (Provisional, all 6 laps unless mentioned):

National Championship – Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open (Race-1, 4 laps): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, TVS Racing) (7mins, 36.007secs); 2. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, TVS Racing) (07:39.254); 3. Sairahil Pillarisetty (Hyderabad, Gusto Racing India) (07:41.470).

Pro-Stock 165cc Open (Race-1): 1. Ahamed KY (Chennai, TVS Racing) (12:04.178); 2. Jagan Kumar (Chennai, TVS Racing) (12:04.192); 3. Deepak Ravikumar (Chennai, TVS Racing) (12:14.569).

Novice (Stock 165cc) Race-1: 1. Abdul Basim RS (Chennai, Rockers Racing) (12:55.808); 2. Tasmai Cariappa (Mysuru, Motul Sparks Racing) (12:56.136); 3. Abhinav G (Coimbatore, Chandra LGE Racing team) (13:04.554).

Girls (Stock 165cc) Race-1 (5 laps): 1. Rakshitha Dave (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate) (10:58.183); 2. Jagathishree Kumaresan (Chennai, One Racing) (11:03.012); 3. Ryhana Bee (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (11:03.150).

Novice (Stock 301-400cc) Race-1: 1. Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan (Chennai, RACR Castrol Power 1 Ultimate) (12:17.257); 2. Lokesh V (Bengaluru, Pvt.) (12:23.458); 3. Varun Nanjundegowda (Mysuru, Gusto Racing India) (12:27.927).

Idemitsu Honda India Cup (NSF 250R) Race-1: 1. Rakshith S Dave (Chennai) (11:12.157); 2. Mohsin Paramban (Malappuram) (11:16.226); 3. AS James (Bengaluru) (11:16.669)

TVS One-Make Championship – Open (Apache RR 310) Race-1 (3 laps): 1. Senthilkumar C (Coimbatore) (05:56.457); 2. Jayanth Pratipathi (Chennai) (05:59.277); 3. Ajai Xavier (Nagercoil) (06:02.953).

Rookie (Apache RTR 200) Race-1: 1. Harshith V Bogar (Bengaluru) (13:43.666); 2. Saranjith KM (Thrissur) (13:53.770); 3. Akarsh Jangam (Vijayawada) (14:07.100).

Girls (Apache RTR 200) Race-1 (5 laps): 1. Sarah Khan (Mumbai) (11:19.075); 2. Saimah Ajaz Baig (Pune) (11:21.156); 3. Aisvariya V (Coimbatore) (11:23.221).

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F1 Academy

Arshi Gupta becomes the youngest ever driver to be selected by F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme

9-year-old Arshi Gupta has made history by becoming the youngest-ever driver selected for F1 Academy’s Discover Your Drive (DYD) program.

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Arshi Gupta becomes the youngest ever driver to be selected by F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme

Arshi Gupta has made history by becoming the youngest-ever driver selected for F1 Academy’s Discover Your Drive (DYD) program. The Karting Driver from Faridabad, Haryana, was crowned the only Female Karting Champion in Asia last year after winning the 2025 National Karting Championship in the Micro Max class. Arshi started karting at the age of 7. She also became the youngest driver to obtain a racing licence at 7 years, 5 months, and 18 days, earning her a spot in the India Book of Records.

Arshi Gupta becomes the youngest ever driver to be selected by F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme

Arshi Gupta started competing professionally in 2024, taking part in her first National Karting Championship. In 2025, she raced in the Middle East, competing in the IAME Series UAE and the Rotax Max Challenge UAE, gaining experience among some of the world’s best racers. She returned to India later that year to compete in the National Karting Championship, also known as the Rotax Max Challenge India, and went on to win the title. Arshi also represented India on the Asia-Pacific stage, competing at the Asia-Pacific Motorsports Games in Sri Lanka in 2025.

In 2026, Arshi has already made her way to the United Kingdom to compete against the best of the best in racing. This year, she also joined the esteemed F1 Academy DYD program.

The Discover Your Drive program is an initiative by F1 Academy to increase the pool of female talent in motorsports, both on and off the track. Up to 27 young female drivers will be supported by the F1 Academy, and Arshi Gupta becomes the youngest girl to join the DYD program. Through the DYD program, Arshi will be supported in the British Champions of the Future Academy Program, which will run across four rounds.


Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/XInstagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Indian GP To Return Soon? How Realistic Are the Chances

Speculation around the return of the Indian GP is gaining momentum once again, with government interest, circuit discussions, and growing Formula 1 popularity in India fueling optimism. But how realistic is an F1 comeback?

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Indian GP To Return Soon? How Realistic Are the Chances
Credit - Red Bull Content Pool

Indian GP to return soon? The chatter around the revival of the Indian Grand Prix and bringing Formula 1 back to India has started once again, but will it finally materialise this time, or will it remain another wave of optimism that slowly fades away?

Over the past decade, discussions about Formula 1’s return to India have surfaced multiple times, often driven by growing fan interest and expanding digital viewership. The previous stint of the Indian Grand Prix, held between 2011 and 2013, ended not due to a lack of audience enthusiasm but because of financial, taxation, and logistical complications that made the event unsustainable.

A New Wave of Optimism?

On Tuesday, February 2, 2026, India Today reported that the Government of India is keen to bring Formula 1 back to the country after more than a decade. The report also stated that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is working toward easing the tax burdens and bureaucratic hurdles that previously contributed to the discontinuation of the Indian GP.

According to sources within the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has already visited the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida and held discussions with officials regarding the potential revival of the event.

“The sports minister visited the Buddh International Circuit last week and discussed timelines for restarting the event. He has instructed the owners to identify an event management company to oversee operations for the next two to three years. Once the process gains momentum, tax-related issues are also expected to be addressed,” the sources said.

Interest from Formula One Management (FOM)?

In February 2024, reports from Formula 1 journalist Joe Saward indicated that Formula One Management (FOM) was open to returning to India in the near future, provided the necessary commercial, logistical, and regulatory conditions were met.

Mark Webber during the Indian GP Weekend
Credit – Red Bull Content Pool

Reported Government-Level Support?

In April 2024, journalist Joe Saward wrote in his newsletter that the Indian Grand Prix had backing from the highest levels of the Indian government. However, he also noted that several issues affecting the previous edition of the race were still concerns, including fears about equipment seizures related to tax disputes. According to Saward, such uncertainties have historically made Formula 1 cautious about returning unless regulatory clarity and administrative processes improve. He added that, if conditions were to align in the future, a potential venue could be considered in the home state of the current Indian Prime Minister.

GIFT City Racetrack Plans Face a Roadblock

In January 2024, the Government of Gujarat issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) titled “Appointment of an agency for undertaking a feasibility study and preparation of a master plan for an F1 circuit at GIFT City.” The proposal outlined a preliminary target of hosting a potential first event around 2028, subject to the study outcomes and subsequent approvals.

However, just over six months after the Request for Proposal was issued, plans to build a Formula 1 circuit at Gujarat’s GIFT City reportedly came to a halt. Reports suggested that the existing urban layout of GIFT City could make it challenging to design a track that meets Formula 1 standards due to structural and planning constraints. In addition, the project was expected to require significant financial investment, with cost estimates for constructing a compliant circuit ranging from Rs. 5,000 crore to Rs. 10,000 crore, raising further feasibility concerns.

Renewed F1 Talks Following MotoGP’s 2023 Debut

After hosting India’s first MotoGP race in 2023, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) stated that discussions with Formula 1 organisers were likely to take place in the near future.

However, no further public updates followed this announcement, suggesting that the talks did not progress into any confirmed developments, and the momentum gradually subsided. The future of MotoGP in India also became uncertain, as the event did not return to the country after its inaugural 2023 season.

Is the Return of Formula 1 to India Realistic?

From today’s news and updates, it appears momentum is gradually building toward bringing the pinnacle of motorsport back to India. However, even if plans move forward smoothly, Formula One Management (FOM) would still face the complex task of finding space on an already crowded calendar.

Indian GP To Return Soon? How Realistic Are the Chances
Credit – u/F1Fan2004 on Reddit

With the current regulations allowing a maximum of 24 races per season, adding a new Grand Prix would likely require replacing an existing event or waiting for contract cycles to end. Several circuits are already tied to long-term agreements that extend into the 2030s, with some deals reportedly running through 2041. As a result, securing a realistic slot for the Indian Grand Prix in the near term could prove challenging, making a return more plausible toward the latter part of the decade rather than immediately.

However, it is still wise to approach these developments with cautious optimism. Conversations about the revival of the Indian Grand Prix are not new, and in the past, similar waves of reports and discussions have surfaced without materialising into a confirmed race.

The Curious Case of Formula 1 in India

If you’d like a deeper look into the story behind Formula 1’s rise and sudden exit from India, we’ve covered the entire journey in a dedicated video titled “The Curious Case of F1 in India.” It explores the key events, challenges, and decisions that shaped the sport’s presence in the country.

Watch it here to understand what really happened:


Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/XInstagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Indian Motorsports

Goa Street Circuit Moves to a New Venue for 2026

Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd, along with the Government of Goa, has confirmed a venue change for the upcoming Goa Street Circuit. The event will now take place at Mopa, with the first race scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026. The street circuit was originally planned to be held in Bogda, Vasco da Gama, but protests in the region led to the venue being shifted.

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Goa Street Circuit Moves to a New Venue for 2026

Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd and the Government of Goa have announced a change in venue for the Goa Street Circuit. The event will now be held at Mopa, with the first race scheduled for 14 and 15 February. The street circuit was initially planned for Bogda. However, following protests in the area, the venue was moved to Mopa.

The Initially Proposed Venue

The originally proposed location for the Goa Street Circuit was Bogda, a locality in Vasco da Gama. The event was projected as a significant milestone, with the circuit being described as South Asia’s first oceanfront racetrack.

Speaking on the project, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant stated that the Goa government would spend Rs. 52 crore on the international motorsport event, which was planned to be held in the state for three years. He also said the organisers, Racing Promotions Private Limited, would invest Rs. 176 crore, with the majority of the government’s contribution allocated to infrastructure development.

Goa Street Circuit
Image Credit – Indian Racing Festival

The Protests

Plans for the proposed oceanfront street circuit were affected following protests by local activists. Concerns were raised about the inconvenience to area residents, with calls to cancel the event. Following this, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant announced that the event would be postponed and relocated to a new venue.

The New Venue

The new venue is located just outside Manohar International Airport (GOX), with the proposed street circuit situated on airport property. The track is expected to feature 12 turns and run clockwise.

Goa Street Circuit Moves to a New Venue for 2026

The First Race

The Goa Street Circuit will host its first race during Round 4 of the Indian Racing League, scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026.

The Goa round was initially scheduled for November 2025. Due to protests at the originally proposed venue, the location was changed, and the event was deferred to the 2026 season.

Goa Street Circuit Moves to a New Venue for 2026
Image Credit – Indian Racing Festival

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/XInstagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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