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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Indian Motorsports
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.
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
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
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/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Indian Motorsports
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.
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.
🚨| NEWS: The 🇮🇳 Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) officially received it's CIK-FIA Grade 1 certification, becoming the first track in the country to do so.
— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) April 8, 2025
The track was designed by Driven International with @karunchandhok advising on the layout. The 1.17 Kms circuit… pic.twitter.com/ii1mBzf3cw
“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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