Indian Motorsports
Indian Racing League and Indian F4 return: DRC’s 2024 Indian Racing Festival Season Preview
The Indian Racing Festival returns for another thrilling season starting August 24. Young talents will look to prove themselves in India’s Premier Class.
The highest form of racing in Indian Motorsport is back. Starting from August 24th at the Madras International Circuit, Indian F4 Championship and the Indian Racing League return as a celebration of Indian Motorsport. With new venues, exciting partnerships and a thrilling format, this is shaping up-to be the greatest Indian Racing Festival yet.
The Calendar
Both Indian F4 and the Indian Racing League (IRL) will race the same circuits at the same weekends. This year, there will be five rounds, with Indian F4 racing three, and IRL racing two times each round.
The season begins in the home of Indian Motorsport: the Madras International Circuit. The MIC has hosted both events before, and is also going to be the venue for the Pre Season testing starting August 22nd. The MIC will then host the first round starting August 24th.
The caravan will then make camp at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, a street circuit which will host the first ever night race in India. The historical second round starts August 31.
Following the night race, we will race for the first time at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore.
And while the venues of the next two rounds are unannounced, it is strongly implied that the Buddh International Circuit will host one of the rounds.
The Machinery
Both Categories are Spec Series, meaning that each car has the same chassis, engine and components to ensure parity amongst the competition.
The Indian F4 championship will use the standard Mygale M21-F4 chassis manufactured by Mygale for the junior F4 categories. The engine will be provided by Alpine power units. MP Motorsport will be acting as the technical support for the championship. The Dutch organization has had a lot of success in junior categories such as F2, F3 and regional formula championships.
The Indian Racing League will feature the Wolf GB08s. The car has an Aprilia RS-V4 engine that produces 220 bhp with double air intake. It also features FIA homologated components and has aerodynamics that allow for good chasing and closer racing.
The Format
The Indian F4 will feature three races per weekend with two qualifying sessions. The Fastest Laps in the first Qualifying session will decide the grid for Race 1. Race 2 will be reverse grid of the top 6 from Race 1’s final result. The Second Qualifying session will be considered for setting the grid for the final race. This format rewards not only pace, but consistent pace, with a single driver capable of securing both Poles on qualifying.
The Indian Racing League is divided into teams. Each team can run two cars, with two Indian Drivers and two international driver. At-least one of the four drivers must be female to promote equality. Each car gets two drivers, with each driving in one of two competition days. Each day features a practice session, a qualifying session and a 25 minute + 1 Lap race, without mandatory pitstops. Driver A will take the car on Saturday, and B on Sunday. The Pole and the Fastest Lap will provide a single point in both the Drivers’ and Team’s Championships.
Notable Drivers
The Indian Racing Festival has produced a handful of very talented drivers, and has also hosted some very prominent ones.
Akshay Bohra, who placed overall third in the Indian F4 standings last year, has been tearing it up internationally. He went on to win in the Le Castellet round of the Italian Formula 4 championship, while also taking pole position in Mugello.
The biggest draw for IRL will be Neel Jani. The sportscar legend, who has won Le Mans in both GT and Prototype categories, will race for Hyderabad Blackbirds. Partnering Jani in Hyderabad will be Akhil Rabindra, another driver who has proven himself internationally.
Sohail Shah and Raoul Hyman will also continue to race the same car, and defend their title.
Stories to look forward to
The Indian F4 championship introduced a shootout challenge, the winner of which will receive a fully sponsored seat for the season. The winner of the inaugral shootout challenge, Gaincarlo Artho will try to impress and perhaps gather some silverware.
Pressure will be on for the Indian drivers to deliver a championship at home as well. The stakes are high for everyone, because the champion earns a seat in the next season of FRIC free of cost.
In the IRL, focus will be on Bangalore Speedsters to defend their team’s title. Laura Camps (Hyderabad Blackbirds) will look to join Sarah Moore as a female race winner. Sohail Shah and Raoul Hyman of the Goa Aces will also try and defend their title. Neel Jani and Akhil Rabindra will contest their claim to the title as well.
New sponsors, partners and broadcasters
The IRF has joined with Kingfisher as a presenting partner. The Chief Marketing Officer, Vikram Bahl has been vocal about his support for the growth of Motorsport in India.
After streaming the races on youtube for the past seasons, Indian Racing Festival have also struck deals with Star Sports to broadcast on television, along with Fancode as their OTT broadcasters. Fancode already offers F1 broadcasts, along with F1TV in India. The races will be aired on the Star Sports Select 2 channel on televisions, and online on Fancode.
Follow DRC on socials and the DRC website for Live Updates on to Indian Racing Festival.
Indian Motorsports
Mumbai Street Circuit Announced; Set to A Host Night Race in 2025
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has officially announced the Mumbai Street Circuit, set to host a night race. With this, Mumbai becomes the fourth city to feature a street race and only the second to stage a night street race.
“This is a step in the direction to make Maharashtra the motorsports capital of Asia. We will be hosting the F4 race as a street circuit in Navi Mumbai as our 1st initiative in this direction.” – Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
The Mumbai Street Circuit will host Round 5 of the Indian Racing League and Indian Formula 4 on November 29–30, 2025. With this, Mumbai joins Hyderabad, Chennai, and Goa as a street circuit host city, becoming only the second venue to stage a night street race after the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, which held its race in August 2024.
Neither Racing Promotions Private Limited nor the Government of Maharashtra have confirmed details of the track or location yet. It is understood that more details, including the track layout, will be revealed closer to the round in November.
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/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Indian Motorsports
Goa Street Circuit Officially Announced, Set to Host First Race in 2025
The Goa Street Circuit has been officially announced and will host its first race in 2025 as part of the Indian Racing Festival. Goa becomes the third Indian city with a street circuit following Hyderabad and Chennai.
The Goa Street Circuit has been approved by the Goa cabinet and is set to host Round 4 of the Indian Racing Festival in late October this year. Earlier in the year, Goa Tourism gave Principal approval to the Goa Street Circuit.
Honourable Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, today announced the “Goa Street
Race 2025” — a 3.2 km oceanfront circuit at Headland Sada, Bogda, as the official venue
for Round 4 of the 2025 Indian Racing Festival (IRF). Announced at a prestigious ceremony
at Auditorium 1, Maquinez Palace, ESG, Panjim, Goa, this landmark initiative reflects Dr.
Sawant’s visionary leadership in positioning Goa as a premier global destination for high-
Octane International Sporting Events. Scheduled from 1 to 2 November 2025, the race
promises to deliver a world-class motorsport spectacle against the state’s iconic coastline
while driving economic growth, tourism, and global recognition for the state of Goa.
The landmark announcement was graced by the presence of Asvin Chandru, IAS, CM
Secretary and CEO of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG); Shri Sankalp Amonkar, MLA –
Mormugao; Shri. Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, Secretary – Information & Publicity, Government
of Goa; and Mr. Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt.
Ltd. (RPPL).
The Goa Street Race 2025 promises to be a star-studded affair with an impressive line-up of
Celebrity team owners bringing their charisma and passion for motorsport to the track.
Leading the charge is John Abraham with the home team, Goa Aces JA Racing, joined by
Arjun Kapoor is steering the Speed Demons Delhi, and cricketing legend Sourav Gangulyis
powering the Kolkata Royal Tigers. Adding to the excitement, Sudeep Kichcha leads
Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru, Naga Chaitanya backs the Hyderabad Blackbirds, and Dr. Swetha
Sundeep Anand drives the spirit of Chennai Turbo Riders. Their presence is set to amplify
the thrill and glamour of this high-octane event.
“Goa’s rich heritage, dynamic culture, and stunning coastline provide an iconic stage for a motorsport property of global significance,” said Mr. Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman &
Managing Director, RPPL.
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/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Indian Motorsports
Akshay Bohra Makes History with Dominant Victory at Imola in FRECA 2025
Akshay Bohra made history as the first Indian driver to take a race victory in the Formula Regional European Championship.
Akshay Bohra delivered a commanding lights-to-flag performance at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, claiming a well-earned victory in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). The win marks a major milestone in the young Indian-American driver’s career and further cements his reputation as one of the brightest emerging talents in junior single-seaters.
The 18-year-old, who became the first Indian to win a European single-seater title with his Euro 4 Championship triumph last year, made the step up to Formula Regional cars in 2024. Earlier this year, he also tasted victory in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship—signalling his smooth transition into more powerful machinery.
Arriving at Imola off the back of a podium finish at Paul Ricard, Bohra came into the weekend with strong momentum. He was consistently quick during pre-event testing on Thursday and Friday, frequently appearing at the sharp end of the timing sheets.
In Qualifying 1 on Saturday, Bohra narrowly missed out on topping his group, qualifying second by just 0.186 seconds behind his more experienced teammate. Starting P3 on the grid, he briefly slipped to fourth at the end of Lap 1 but quickly regained the position with what was arguably one of the best overtakes of the season. He went on to finish third, scoring his third podium of the season—the most ever by an Indian driver in the championship’s history.
Sunday, however, was a landmark day. Bohra claimed his first-ever pole position in FRECA—also a first for any Indian driver in the series. He then converted that pole into a dominant race victory, showcasing maturity, composure, and masterful control around one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar.
“Winning at Imola feels incredible. It’s a track with so much history, and to stand on the top step here is really special,” said Bohra. “The team gave me a fantastic car, and everything came together today. I’m proud of the progress we’re making this season.”
– Akshay Bohra
With this result, Bohra has climbed to 5th in the overall championship standings as the season crosses its halfway point. The victory is a testament to his relentless work ethic and rapid development in one of the most competitive junior categories in the world.
Akshay Bohra’s breakthrough at Imola not only highlights his undeniable talent but also stands as a proud moment for Indian motorsport, as he continues to inspire the next generation and represent India on the global racing stage.
About Akshay Bohra
Akshay Bohra was born in New York City and lived most of his childhood in Bangalore, India, where he began his racing career at age six in go karts. The 18-year-old Indian-American racing driver currently competes in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and is managed by driver management company ADD, which also manages reigning F1 vice world champion Lando Norris of McLaren Racing. He is the only Indian driver to have won a European single-seater championship, with a title-winning campaign in the 2024 Euro 4 Championship. With a background in international karting and consistent success in the junior formula scene, Bohra is regarded as one of the most promising talents in global motorsport and the best Indian prospect in recent history.
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/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
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