The Chennai Formula Racing Circuit is set to make its debut at the Indian Racing Festival (IRF), returning for its third season starting in 30th August to 1st September 2024.
To make things even more interesting, this will be the first-ever night race on a street circuit in India will take place in Chennai. This announcement was made at a press conference attended by Narain Karthikeyan, Indian Formula One driver.
The circuit, created by Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd (RPPL) in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), which will span 3.5 km. Beginning at the Island Grounds and pass several key landmarks such as Marina Beach before returning to the starting point.
The new season will commence with pre-season testing on 22nd and 23rd August, followed by the opening round on 24th and 25th August at the Madras International Circuit (MIC).
The IRF will feature two championships: the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) and the Indian Racing League (IRL). F4IC is an FIA-certified open-wheel, single-seater racing event for young drivers, marking the first step from karting to single-seater racing. The IRL, approved by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), is India’s only four-wheel racing league and the world’s first gender-neutral racing championship series.
Eight teams are slated to compete, with Kolkata and Ahmedabad joining Delhi, Kochi, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of RPPL, expressed confidence that the event would establish Chennai as a premier destination for motorsport enthusiasts in India and inspire greater interest in the sport. Akbar Ebrahim, President of the FMSCI, noted the challenges of organizing a street race but highlighted its potential to attract spectators and likened its appeal to other successful street circuits like Monaco and Singapore.
