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.”

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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.

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.

The track was designed by Driven International with @karunchandhok advising on the layout. The 1.17 Kms circuit… pic.twitter.com/ii1mBzf3cw

— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) April 8, 2025

“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.

Kush Maini was announced as one of Alpine’s four Reserve and Development drivers for the 2025 season earlier this year. Here’s why we believe Maini is getting closer to securing an official FP1 outing with Alpine during the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Alpine’s 2025 Reserve Drivers

Ahead of the 2025 season, Alpine promoted their then-reserve driver Jack Doohan to a full-time race seat following Esteban Ocon’s departure from the Enstone-based team. To bolster their driver development program, Alpine have signed not one, not two, not three—but four Reserve and Development drivers for 2025: Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa, Franco Colapinto, and Kush Maini.

Ryo Hirakawa’s mid-season switch to Haas F1 team

The 2022 FIA World Endurance Champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Ryo Hirakawa, has made a surprise mid-season move, leaving Alpine just three race weekends into the 2025 season. The switch came immediately after the Japanese Grand Prix—Hirakawa’s home race—where he made his official Formula 1 debut in the rookie Free Practice 1 session. On the Monday following the race weekend, the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced Hirakawa as their official reserve driver for the remainder of the 2025 season, marking a return to the Toyota family through Haas’ technical partnership.

Welcoming Ryō Hirakawa to MoneyGram Haas F1 Team as our Official Reserve Driver for the 2025 F1 season.

The Japanese driver joins the team following a successful outing at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi last December.#HaasF1 #F1 | @ryohirakawa pic.twitter.com/vFZAUD0eed

— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) April 7, 2025

Franco Colapinto NOT eligible for a rookie FP1 session

The Argentinian driver made a surprise Formula 1 debut in 2024, replacing the underperforming Logan Sargeant at Williams ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. In just nine races, Colapinto managed to score five points—more than the combined tally of his predecessors over the previous two seasons. His move to Alpine as a reserve driver for 2025 appears to be a strategic one, possibly intended to apply pressure on Jack Doohan in Alpine’s main lineup. However, Colapinto is not eligible for a rookie FP1 session, as per FIA regulations. A rookie is defined as a driver who “may not have participated in more than two F1 World Championship races during their career,” making Colapinto ineligible due to his nine-race stint with Williams.

What about Paul Aron?

The Estonian made an impressive Formula 2 debut in 2024, securing a race win, eight podiums, and even briefly leading the championship. Aron also made his Formula E debut with Envision Racing during the Berlin E-Prix, stepping in for Sébastien Buemi. Toward the end of the 2024 season, Aron became the first of Alpine’s four reserve drivers to be officially signed for 2025.

While he did get his first taste of Formula 1 machinery in the post-season test, completing over 120 laps in the Alpine A524, Aron still lags behind Kush Maini in terms of F1-specific experience. Maini has participated in multiple Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions with Alpine across a variety of circuits, giving him a stronger case when it comes to real-world F1 seat time.

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So is this the time to shine for Kush Maini?

It’s still early and unclear which direction Alpine will head toward with their rookie FP1 selections for the 2025 season. With Franco Colapinto ruled out of rookie eligibility, Ryo Hirakawa switching to Haas, and Paul Aron still catching up in terms of mileage, Maini emerges as Alpine’s most viable option to fulfill their mandated rookie FP1 slot. If Alpine follows a performance- and preparedness-based approach, Maini’s name should be at the top of their list.

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.