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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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Akshay Bohra Starts 2025 FRECA Campaign with Encouraging Pace

Akshay Bohra impresses with a P9 finish in Race 1 and promising pace throughout the opening round of the 2025 FRECA.

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Akshay Bohra Starts 2025 FRECA Campaign with Encouraging Pace
Credits: Dutch Photo Agency

Akshay Bohra kicked off his 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) with a points finish in Race 1. He was on course for another solid result in Race 2 before getting taken out by another car, dropping him to the back of the field.

Misano (ITA) MAY 2-4, 2025 - First round of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine 2025 at Misano World Circuit. Akshay BOHRA #02, R-ace GP. © 2025 Dutch Photo Agency.
Misano (ITA) MAY 2-4, 2025 – First round of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine 2025 at Misano World Circuit. Akshay BOHRA #02, R-ace GP. © 2025 Dutch Photo Agency.

Step up from Formula 4 for Akshay Bohra

Akshay, who was racing in Formula 4 cars last year, made a step up to the Formula 3 (Regional) cars in 2025. To prepare for this transition, he contested the Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC) earlier in the year, where he claimed his first victory of the season with a race win in Abu Dhabi.

READ MORE: Akshay Bohra gets his first WIN of the year: FRMEC 2025

Following a short break after the Middle East campaign, Akshay returned to Europe to focus on testing and preparations for the highly competitive FRECA season.

Racing with R-ace GP

For 2025, Akshay is racing with French outfit R-ace GP—one of the most successful teams in the series’ history. With six driver titles, eight team championships, and over 100 victories to their name, R-ace GP has built a legacy of excellence. The team has also played a crucial role in the careers of several current F1 drivers, including Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, and Isack Hadjar.

Akshay Bohra Starts 2025 FRECA Campaign with Encouraging Pace
Misano (ITA), MAY 02 – 04 2025 – Round 1 of Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine 2025 at Misano Circuit. Akshay BOHRA #02, R-ace GP. © 2025 Dutch Photo Agency.

Encouraging Start to The Season

The 2025 Formula Regional Eruopean Championship by Alpine kicked off at the Misano World Circuit, hosting the opening round of a ten-event calendar. Saturday kicked off the official sessions with Qualifying 1 where Freddie Slater took pole position for Race 1 scheduled for later in the day. Akshay Bohra qualified in 14th place and was looking forward to the race ahead.

In a frantic start to the race, Slater spun out from the lead, triggering an early safety car. Meanwhile, Akshay wasted no time, climbing up to P10 before the field was neutralised. After the restart, the Indian driver showed impressive race pace and composure, gaining another position to finish 9th, scoring points on debut and making up five places from his starting position.

Strong Sunday Effort Cut Short by Mid-Race Collision

Sunday was shaping to be better, with the Indian driver qualifying inside the top 10 in 9th and if yesterday’s race was anything to go by, he was set for some good points haul in Race 2 of the weekend.

At the start, Bohra dropped a position to go behind the Thai Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi. After an intense wheel to wheel battle between the two which lasted multiple laps, Bohra overtook him to take 9th place and set his sights on the Nikita Bedrin in P8. Dion Gowda who was running in 7th place was overtaken by Bedrin and then by Bohra helping Bohra move upto P8.

With a little over 15 minutes left on the clock, Dion Gowda lost control of his car at Turn 10 and took out Rashid Al Dhaheri in 7th and Akshay Bohra in 8th. The contact forced Gowda to retire meanwhile Dhaheri and Bohra dropped to the back of the grid. With over 15 minutes still on the clock, Akshay launched a spirited recovery drive and climbed back up to 16th by the chequered flag. A mid-race safety car, however, halted his momentum, without it, a stronger finish was certainly within reach.

Akshay Bohra Starts 2025 FRECA Campaign with Encouraging Pace
Misano (ITA) MAY 2-4, 2025 – Firts round of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine 2025 at Misano World Circuit. Akshay BOHRA #02, R-ace GP. © 2025 Dutch Photo Agency.

Up Next

The championship heads to Spa in 2 weeks time for Round 2 of the championship. While the weekend didn’t deliver the results Akshay was hoping for, there were plenty of positives to take away. With strong pace and a points finish on debut, he’ll be looking to build momentum heading into Belgium.

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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Red bull Moto Jam 2025: Red Bull India smokes the city of Chennai

Red Bull Moto Jam delivers a night of world-class stunts, drifting, and freestyle motocross, igniting India’s motorsport spirit at Chennai’s Island Grounds.

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Aras Gibieža, Thomas Wirnsberger, Abdo Feghali and Abdulrahman Ahmed Alraeesi perform during the All Star showcase during Red Bull Moto Jam at Island Grounds in Chennai, India on April 12, 2025

A full house at the Island Grounds witnessed a motorsport spectacle like no other as the Red Bull Moto Jam, in partnership with Mobil 1, brought together drifting, stunt riding, SUV-on-two-wheels stunts, and freestyle motocross (FMX) in one high-octane showcase.

Taking center stage were Red Bull athletes Abdo Feghali and Aras Gibieza, whose tandem routine — blending drifting and stunt riding — brought the crowd to its feet and the night to a dramatic close.

Motorsport Icons Thrill the Crowd at Red Bull Moto Jam

Drift legend and Guinness World Record holder for the Longest Drift, Abdo Feghali, delivered a flawless performance in his BMW M4. Just a day prior, he led the Mobil 1 Drift Clinic, mentoring some of India’s most promising drift talents and sowing the seeds for the next generation of grassroots motorsport enthusiasts.

“It was my first time in Chennai and the energy from the crowd was unreal! Coaching India’s emerging drift talents at the Mobil 1 Drift Clinic was an amazing experience, and performing in front of such an electric audience made it all the more special. I’m so excited to be part of building the drift culture here.”Abdo Feghali

Red bull Moto Jam 2025: Red Bull India smokes the city of Chennai
Abdo Feghali performs during Red Bull Moto Jam at Island Grounds in Chennai, India on April 12, 2025 // Ali Bharmal / Red Bull Content Pool

Stunt bike virtuoso Aras Gibieza, known for holding the Guinness World Record for the longest no-hands wheelie, returned to India for the 17th time — and declared this visit his most memorable yet.

“I’ve performed in India many times, but this night in Chennai was something else. It’s the spiritual home of Indian motorsport, and every time I come back, I see the passion and the number of fans growing. The energy, the love, the respect — it makes every stunt more meaningful. Huge thanks to everyone who came out tonight!”Aras Gibieza

Red bull Moto Jam 2025: Red Bull India smokes the city of Chennai
Aras Gibieža performs during Red Bull Moto Jam at Island Grounds in Chennai, India on April 12, 2025 // Ali Bharmal / Red Bull Content Pool

The adrenaline didn’t stop there. FMX sensations Sebastian Westberg, Vivian Ganther, and Thomas Wirnsberger took to the skies with gravity-defying jumps and aerial stunts that left the audience gasping and cheering in awe.

Tamil Nadu Strengthens Its Sporting Vision

Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, shared his thoughts on the landmark event:

“Tamil Nadu has made significant efforts to grow a wide range of sports across the state and inspire the next generation of athletes. A showcase like Red Bull Moto Jam highlights how thrilling motorsport can be when done safely, professionally, and in a controlled environment. Hosting an event of this scale reflects our commitment to nurturing sporting excellence and positioning Tamil Nadu as one of the leading destinations for sport in India.”

Red Bull Moto Jam has once again proven that India’s motorsport culture is rapidly evolving — and with passionate fans, elite athletes, and visionary support, it’s only getting louder, faster, and bigger.

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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India Gets Its First CIK-FIA Grade-1 Karting Circuit as MIKA Receives Prestigious Certification

MIKA becomes India’s first karting track to receive the prestigious CIK-FIA Grade-1 certification, marking a major leap for grassroots motorsport in the country.

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India Gets Its First CIK-FIA Grade-1 Karting Circuit as MIKA Receives Prestigious Certification

India’s motorsport landscape reached a new milestone today as the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in Sriperumbudur became the first karting circuit in the country to receive a Grade-1 certification from the CIK-FIA, the governing body for international karting.

This coveted certification places MIKA among an elite group of global karting venues, signalling that the facility meets the highest standards in layout, safety, and infrastructure as required by the CIK-FIA. The licence, valid for three years starting April 8, was granted after a comprehensive inspection conducted by CIK-FIA Technical Inspector Willibald Zöttl.

At 1.17 km, MIKA is India’s longest karting circuit and offers multiple track configurations, catering not only to competitive racing but also to corporate events and leisure karting. Its design features a blend of technical corners, high-speed sections, and elevation changes—making it both challenging and enjoyable for drivers of all levels.

The track has already won praise from some of motorsport’s biggest names. Double Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, who inaugurated the circuit in September 2023, commended its technical quality and driving experience. India’s Formula 1 pioneers Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok—who also played a role in the track’s design—were equally impressed with its layout and execution.

“This is a proud moment for Indian motorsport,” said Vicky Chandhok, Vice-President of the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC). “From the outset, our goal with MIKA was to build a track that meets international standards—one that can host global competitions while also serving as a hub for grassroots development, corporate events, and family outings. This certification validates those efforts.”

MIKA is located within the Madras International Circuit premises, home to India’s FIA Grade 2 racetrack and a long-time center of motorsport activity in the country. With the new certification, MIKA is set to host the upcoming Karting Karnival—a three-round series scheduled to take place across April and May.

The recognition from CIK-FIA not only enhances India’s presence in the global karting community but also reinforces MIKA’s ambition to nurture the next generation of racing talent while offering world-class experiences for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

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