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CEAT ISRL rider auction for Season 2 begins in October
Pune, 2 Sept. 2024: The CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 has attracted an impressive 145 riders with an array of glittering stars including a couple of world champions for the Indian biking extravaganza.
The riders from the USA, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, South Africa, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, besides the champions from India will be thrilling the spectators and fans alike for second season. The registration of Indian-origin riders has increased compared to Season 1 that combines seasoned champions and promising new talent.
Eeshan Lokhande, Co-founder & Director of the CEAT ISRL, said: “The response to Season two has been phenomenal. We are witnessing a new era in Indian motorsports, where the CEAT ISRL is not just a platform for international talent but also a catalyst for the growth of Supercross in India. Our goal is to elevate the sport further and deliver a season that is bigger, bolder, and faster, captivating fans around the world.”
Season 2 will see the return of fan favorites like 9x Australian Champion Matt Moss, Reid Taylor, MxON World Champion Jordi Tixier, and Asia Motocross Champion Thanarat Penjan. New faces include AMA Pro Motocross Champion Mike Alessi, French Supercross Champion Greg Aranda, French Motocross Champion Maxime Desprey and Australian Motocross Champion Luke Clout. Indian talent is equally well-represented, with riders like 3x Indian Supercross Champion Rugved Barguje, Indian Supercross Champions Shlok Ghorpade, and Ikshan Shanbhag ready to make their mark once again.
Matt Moss, 9x Australian Champion said: “Season 1 was a fantastic experience for me, both on and off the track. Traveling to India was definitely a cultural shock, but in the best possible way, the people were amazing, and the hospitality was second to none. The racing itself was really competitive and enjoyable. As we head into Season 2, I’m confident that any small issues from the first season will be ironed out, making it even better. I’m especially excited to see the increased competition with more riders from the USA, France, and Australia joining in. I can’t wait to get back out there and see what Season 2 has in store!”
Mike Alessi, AMA Pro Motocross Champion said: “I’m thrilled to be heading to India for the CEAT ISRL. I watched Season 1, and I was really impressed with what I saw. I’m eager to come over this year, put on a great show for the fans, and just have an all-around amazing time. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!”
Rugved Barguje, 3x Indian Supercross Champion, said: “Reflecting on Season 1 of the CEAT ISRL, it was beyond anything I expected—riding on a proper Supercross track in India was a dream come true. Despite battling a thumb injury, the adrenaline and excitement kept me pushing through the races. For Season 2, I’m fully recovered and in better shape, with my eyes set on securing a podium finish. It’s going to be an exciting season, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Jordi Tixier, MxON World Champion, said: “Season 1 was absolutely amazing; it really exceeded all my expectations. The races, the championship, the track, and especially the people made it a memorable experience. Meeting the Indian fans was a true highlight. I’m super excited for Season 2—more races, more battles on the track, and the chance to meet even more fans. The upcoming auction should be really exciting, especially with new riders joining in. I’m looking forward to another great season and can’t wait to be back in India soon!”
The rider auction is scheduled for October and the teams will have the opportunity to bid on the world’s best Supercross talent. The CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League continues to provide a world-class platform for both emerging and seasoned riders. With multiple rounds scheduled across various cities in India, the upcoming season is poised to deliver thrilling action.
About Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL):
The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) is the world’s first franchise-based Supercross league. This groundbreaking initiative is set to revolutionize the way sports are perceived in India, creating a global spectacle that will captivate spectators like never before. ISRL brings together athletes from around the world to compete in various formats and categories.
About the Founders:
Team Supercross India (SXI), the parent company of the Indian Supercross Racing League, is at the helm of this groundbreaking initiative. Led by former international racers Veer Patel (a two-time national SX Champion), Eeshan Lokhande, and Aashwin Lokhande, SXI has meticulously conceptualized and delivered a league that is set to redefine Supercross racing on a global scale.
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Pragathi excels in Rally5 class at French Nationals
France, 2nd September 2024: Pragathi Gowda continued her hot form in her maiden international gravel rally experience on Sunday. The Rallye Terre de Lozere, a round of the French national championship, which hosted 126 participants from across the world saw Pragathi finish 15th in Rally 5 class and 53rd overall with a timing of 1:42:03.7.
Pragathi reflected on the fantastic drive saying, “This is a rally where the world champions like Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier have learnt and come up in. To make my gravel rally debut here is a special feeling on its own but to be the only Indian to have achieved this feat in a European/ French national championship round is the icing on the cake. I cannot thank Sidvin Engineering enough for this tremendous opportunity.”In a rally with challenging terrain in the volcanic mountains, which was a first for Pragathi, with ruts as deep as 3-4 feet dug up by the 4 wheel drive cars and all top French drivers participating in cars including the WRC -1, 2 and 3 spec and Rally -4 cars, Rally-5 cars and historic cars, Pragathi faced a steep learning curve ahead of her.
She was slower off the blocks, coming in 31st in her class in the first special stage. But she wasted no time in adapting to this unique rally which features a reconnaissance in the rally car in the morning, followed by the rally stage after 1 hour, instead of the regular reconnaissance which is done the previous day, in a normal car and has 2 passes on the road; a tight program the French drivers have been used to for the past 10-15 years.
Pragathi was helped by Arnaud Dunand, a championship winning WRC co-driver in improving her pace notes and her trainer, Alex Bengue who is a former French National champion and has driven alongside the likes of Sebastien Loeb. With a total of 6 stages on Saturday and 4 stages on Sunday, she took huge steps after the first special stage, improving her pace by almost 2.5 seconds per KM during the 2 days, a fact highlighted by all top drivers.
“The stages were very rough and I haven’t ever seen such rough stages in my career. The ruts created due to the very powerful WRC and WRC2 cars , was something I had never seen . I made a goal yo kept it clean and had only one puncture in stage 2 of the rally. After crossing that hurdle, I knew how to drive clean and not damage the car, a top 15 finish was very satisfying and kudos to PH sport that gave me a very reliable car ” Pragathi explained the challenges she braved.
She registered the 13th fastest time in the last stage and finished 15th in class with 27 cars following her past the finish line. Pragathi also achieved average speeds of 82 km per hour – a very high figure for a gravel rally.Pragathi is supported by Sidvin Engineering, who were the first to take an Indian to the WRC in the year 2009.
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Parante, Hyman claim top honours in Indian Racing League
Chennai, 1 Sept. 2024: Portuguese veteran Alvaro Parante (Speed Demons Delhi) and UK’s Raoul Hyman (Goa Aces JK Racing) held their nerves in a thrilling finish to top the two Indian Racing League races as the historic first-ever night street races concluded at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, near Island grounds, here on Sunday.
On a day of high drama and wheel-to-wheel action, with plenty of Safety Car periods, the 39-year-old Parante was pushed to the limit by a couple of young Bengalureans, Sohil Shah (Goa Aces JA Racing) and Rishon Rajeev (Bangalore Speedsters), before the Portuguese driver used his vast experience to pick up pace at the crucial moment towards the fag end of the race for a fine win. Shah briefly led the race before Parante, who had slipped to fourth after an error, caught up and passed him.
Earlier, Raoul Hyman and Gabriela Jilkova delivered a 1-2 finish for Goa Aces JA Racing in Race-1 that its share of drama. The duo survived it all to take the top two podium spots ahead of Malaysian Alister Yoong (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) who did extremely well to climb from P5 to pick up vital points for his team.
Thus, after two rounds, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers lead the championship table with 93 points, followed by Chennai Turbo Riders (83), Speed Demons Delhi (74), Goa Aces JA Racing (73), Bangalore Speedsters (39) and Blackbirds Hyderabad (36). The Round-3 is scheduled for September 14-15 in Coimbatore.
The Indian Racing Festival, promoted by Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd, is sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1 and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.
The results:
Indian Racing League (25 minutes + 1 lap)
Driver A (timings not available due to technical issue)
1. Raoul Hyman (UK, Goa Aces JA Racing);
2. Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic, Goa Aces JA Racing);
3. Alister Yoong (Malaysia, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers).
Driver B
1. Alvaro Parante (Portugal, Speed Demons Delhi) (28:02.822);
2. Sohil Shah (India, Goa Aces JA Racing) (28:03.769);
3. Rishon Rajeev (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (28:09.307).
ends
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Ruhaan Alva, Divy Nandan bag second place each: Indian F4
Chennai, 1 Sept. 2024: Two Indian drivers Bengaluru’s Ruhaan Alva driving for Bengal Tigers and Delhi’s Divy Nandan racing for Ahmedabad Apex Racers, notched up creditable second places in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively, even as Australian Hugh Barter of Godspeed Kochi and South African Aqil Alibhai of Hyderabad Blackbirds wrote their own script to share the day’s honours in the FIA-Formula 4 Indian Championship at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit under floodlights here on Sunday.
Starting from pole position, Barter topped Race 1 in typical style, outpacing the field, in another flawless exhibition that underlined his undoubted talent. In contrast, Alibhai, who missed Race-1 due to issues with his car, made ample amends by winning Race 2 after starting fourth on the grid, and, in the process, displaying considerable skill in defensive driving.
Barter, who last weekend had won a race starting last on the grid, was unstoppable while winning the first race that was marred by two Safety Car periods and then a red flag with little over three minutes and a lap left. Meanwhile, Abhay Mohan (Bangalore Speedsters) quietly moved to P4 from P8 and then jumped to third place behind Barter and Ruhaan Alva Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) as Jaden Pariat (Bangalore Speedsters) retired, bringing out the Safety Car for the third time with about six minutes and a lap left of the race. The proceedings were yet again interrupted by a red flag with about 3:30 plus one lap remaining following an incident.
Ruhaan Alva, who finished a creditable P2 in F4 Race 1 receiving the trophy. An IRL image Unable to complete second qualifying session, Barter started Race 2 from the end of the grid, but in no time, climbed to fifth before tangling with Ruhaan Alva and dropped to eighth. Ahead of them, Alibhai made three spots to take the lead which he defended with aplomb to win from two Indians, Divy Nandan and Jaden Pariat as the race ended behind the Safety Car. Alva finished fourth while Barter came in fifth.
The results (Provisional):
FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (25mins + 1 lap)
Race 1
1. Hugh Barter (Australia, Godspeed Kochi) (19:42.952);
2. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) (19:50.251);
3. Abhay Mohan (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (20:09.021).
Race 2
1. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Blackbirds Hyderabad) (30:03.445);
2. Divy Nandan (India, Ahmedabad Apex Racers) (30:03.704);
3. Jaden Pariat (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (30:04.413).
Diljit, Tijil Rao share honours
JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship 2024
Dark Don team enjoyed a profitable weekend as Diljith TS from Thrissur and Bengaluru’s Tijil Rao won a race apiece in the Formula LGB 4 category, but both had to work hard for their P1 slots on the podium.
Race-1 was a close fight between pole-sitter Pune’s Neython McPherson (Momentum Motorsports) and Diljith as the two exchanged leads early on. However, the more experienced Diljith managed to secure a slender lead that he nursed to the finish despite a Safety Car period, to finish ahead of McPherson. Behind them, Tijil Rao, having started from P8, moved up to P3, showing impressive pace, but could not make further progress as the eight-lap race was reduced to six after a red flag stoppage.
Later in the day, under lights, Tijil Rao came up with another fine drive to upstage Diljith after the two traded lead through the 10-lap race that saw two Safety Car periods. Eventually, Tijil made a decisive move on front-running Diljith to take his second win in the championship. Diljith had to be content with P2, ahead of McPherson.
The results (Provisional):
JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship (Formula LGB 4) – Race-1 (5 laps): 1. Diljith TS (Thrissur, Dark Don Racing) (11:48.827); 2. Neythan McPherson (Pune, Momentum Motorsports) (11:48.973); 3. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Dark Don Racing) (11:50.800). Rookie: 1. McPherson (11:48.973); 2. Abhay Mohan (Bengaluru, MSPORT) (11:53.785); 3. Ashok Lal (Bengaluru, Avalanche Racing) (12:01.039).
Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Tiljil Rao (27:03.653); 2. Diljith TS (27:03.964); 3. Neythan McPherson (27:04.402). Rookie: 1. McPherson (27:04.402); 2. Abhay Mohan (27:07.408); 3. Dhruvh Goswami (Bengaluru, MSPORT) (27:09.599).
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1043 days later: Marc Marquez roars back to glory, drama hits for Bagnaia
The #93 completes a history-making weekend at MotorLand as Martin’s lead increases following a clash between Alex Marquez and Bagnaia.
Aragon, 1 Sept. 2024: 1043 days, multiple surgeries, a change of team and factory later, and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) is back on the top step of the Grand Prix podium. The #93 dominated the majority of the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon including a stunning first Tissot Sprint win, but being the fastest isn’t a guarantee of glory. Come Sunday, however, Marquez shot off the line for the holeshot and never looked back, underlining one of the greatest comebacks in MotoGP history.
There was plenty to talk about in his wake too, with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) taking second and extending his title lead – gained back from Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on Saturday – after Bagnaia’s podium charge came to a halt in a clash with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP). The verdict from the FIM MotoGP Stewards: racing incident and no further action. The verdict from each rider wildly opposes both that and each other.
Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) took the final spot on the podium, back on the GP box for the first time since the Americas GP in April and adding to an impressive point tally for the rookie, who currently sits fifth in the World Championship standings.
As the lights went out, Marc Marquez took the holeshot once again, and there was drama for Bagnaia once again as the #1 struggled off the line and got close to Alex Marquez in a near-repeat of the Sprint start. Acosta moved up into second and Martin took over in third, with Bagnaia left with work to do down in P7.
The #89 attempted a move at Turn 8 on Lap 2, running wide and allowing Acosta back through before making an overtake stick at Turn 13. Acosta then began to drop back, with Alex Marquez now entering the podium positions.
Bagnaia began to recover positions, overtaking Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) for sixth position. The Italian set his sights on Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), aiming to re-enter the top five, and not long after Morbidelli then ran wide, dropping to eighth and allowing the #1 through.
After an early crash for Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team) then joined him as a DNF, unable to secure a double top 10 finish in Aragon after a crash at Turn 5. Further back, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) was battling for the final places inside the top 10 with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Back at the front, Marc Marquez extended his lead to over three seconds, with the #89 remaining as his closest rival. Martin, however, still held that crucial ground on Bagnaia as the #1 was up into P4 after a spectacular overtake on Acosta at the end of Lap 11. Next target: Alex Marquez.
By Lap 19, Bagnaia was tagged right onto the back of the #73, and as the Gresini ran wide on the entry to Turn 12, the door seemed open. Bagnaia went for it, meanwhile Alex Marquez tried to keep it. The result was contact between the two as they slid off in a tangle to forfeit the podium, riders ok and Martin’s points advantage suddenly bolstered to 23 points by the flag.
Up ahead though, Marc Marquez suffered no such dramas. Extending his margin to five seconds, the #93 kept it calm at the head of the field to take that coveted first victory since 2021, his first with Ducati and Gresini, 1043 days – and so much more – later.
Behind Martin and Acosta, who swept past the Bagnaia-Alex Marquez drama to complete the podium, was a strong P4 for Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Bastianini, after a somewhat disastrous grid position as he lost out on Q2, put in a classic comeback to round out the top five. Morbidelli claimed sixth after a solid weekend, ahead of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi, who crossed the line in that order but then got switched after a Tyre Pressure Penalty for Diggia. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) took P9, ahead of the final place in the top ten for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) after a tyre pressure penalty for Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) dropped the Aussie out the top ten.
Make sure you join us next week when the world’s most exciting sport returns for the Gran Premio Red Bull di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini. Enemy territory for the Championship leader and the most recent winner. Home turf for the reigning Champion. See you in Misano?
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Lando Norris takes pole ahead of Oscar Piastri as McLaren lock out front row
Monza, 31 August 2024: Lando Norris took this fourth pole position of the season and his second in a row as P2 for Oscar Piastri locked out the front row of the grid for McLaren for the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. Geroge Russell qualified third for Mercedes as championship leader Max Verstappen ended up in seventh place.
At the start of Q1, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the early pace with a lap of 1:20.074. Verstappen then crossed the line in 1:20.226 to take P2. He was soon demoted to third, however, when Norris jumped to the top of the order with a lap of 1:19.911.
Further back Sergio Pérez, in the second Red Bull, looked in trouble ahead of the final flyers. In 19th place and 1.2 seconds off Norris, the Mexican required a strong final flyer and he delivered with a time of 1:20.598 that was good enough to hand P9 at the end of the opening session.
At the top of the order Norris claimed P1 ahead of Leclerc and Piastri, with Ferraris Carlos Sainz fourth place ahead of Russell and Verstappen.
Ruled out at the end of the session were RB’s Yuki Tsunoda in P16, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Williams’ rookie Franco Colapinto and the Saubers of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
At the start of Q2, Leclerc again set the early pace, with the Ferrari driver lapping in 1:20.296 to take top spot 0.032s ahead of team-mate Sainz as both went out on used Softs. Verstappen, meanwhile, had new Softs onboard and he jumped ahead of both Ferraris to take P1 with a time of 1:19.874. The championship leader couldn’t hold on to P1, however, and Norris soon jumped to top spot with a lap of 1:19.727, 0.081 ahead of Piastri who was just under seven hundredths of a second ahead of Verstappen. Hamilton then moved ahead of all three thanks to a lap of 1:19.641.
In the final runs of Q2, Versatappen improved to 1:19.662 to climb to second place behind pacesetter Hamilton, who backed out of what appeared to be an exploratory final run. Norris and Sainz, who elected not to run in the final moments, took third and fourth respectively ahead of the second McLaren of Piastri.
There was, however, no place in the top-10 shootout for Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso who exited in P11 ahead of RB’s Daniel Ricciardo, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and the Alpine cars of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
In the opening runs of Q3, Norris led Piastri, with the Briton claiming provisional pole with a time of 1:19.401, just 0.035s ahead of the Australian. They were followed by Russell and Hamilton, with the Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc in fifth and sixth ahead of Pérez and Verstappen who complained of a lack of grip from his new set of Soft tyres.
In the second and final runs, the Red Bulls again struggled. Pérez, leading the way on track, ran wide at the second Lesmo and kicked up a plume of dust, which then upset Verstappen who had already gone slightly wide at Lesmo 1. It meant that although he improved his personal best, Verstappen only rose above his team-mate and the title leader will start seventh.
Behind, Norris only went quicker in sector two compared to his previous personal best, but he still improved the first place benchmark to set pole at 1m19.327, a tenth ahead of Piastri with just 0.004s behind the Australian. Leclerc qualified in fourth place ahead of team-mate Sainz, while Lewis Hamilton took fifth at the flag ahead of Verstappen and Pérez. Alex Albon was ninth for Williams and the top 10 order was rounded out by Haas’ Hülkenberg.
2024 FIA Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix – Qualifying
1 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1’19.327 – –
2 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1’19.436 0.109 0.137
3 George Russell Mercedes 1’19.440 0.113 0.142
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1’19.461 0.134 0.169
5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1’19.467 0.140 0.176
6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1’19.513 0.186 0.234
7 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1’20.022 0.695 0.876
8 Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1’20.062 0.735 0.927
9 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1’20.299 0.972 1.225
10 Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari 1’20.339 1.012 1.276
11 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1’20.421 1.094 1.379
12 Daniel Ricciardo RB/Honda RBPT 1’20.479 1.152 1.452
13 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 1’20.698 1.371 1.728
14 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1’20.738 1.411 1.779
15 Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault 1’20.766 1.439 1.814
16 Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT 1’20.945 1.618 2.040
17 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1’21.013 1.686 2.125
18 Franco Colapinto Williams/Mercedes 1’21.061 1.734 2.186
19 Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari 1’21.101 1.774 2.236
20 Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari 1’21.445 2.118 2.670 -
Marc Marquez serves up Saturday masterclass as Martin reclaims title lead
The #93 takes his first Tissot Sprint win ahead of Martin and Acosta as Bagnaia duels Quartararo for eighth on Saturday.
Aragon, 31 August 2024: Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) is a Tissot Sprint winner! The #93 started from a pole position secured with the biggest gap in the dry since 2011, took the holeshot and never looked back on Saturday afternoon at the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon. It’s the first Sprint win for the eight-time World Champion as he escaped Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) by nearly three seconds.
For Martin, however, a second-place finish puts him back in the Championship lead by four points as reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) had a tougher Sprint and came home ninth for a single point. Completing the podium behind Martin, rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) converted second on the grid to third in the Sprint.
As the lights went out there was an immediate front row fracas for Bagnaia, with the reigning Champion snapping sideways off the line, getting bogged down and then getting close to Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP). Ahead, there were no such dramas for Marc Marquez as he took the holeshot and then got the hammer down, shadowed by Martin up from Row 2 and Acosta in third.
Bagnaia was holding station in fourth initially, able to stay ahead of Alex Marquez, but the reigning Champion was making no inroads on the top three. Then he was wide at Turn 5 to drop back to sixth ahead of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), before another few scrappy moments saw the South African get past him – and then the fight for sixth lit up.
Binder, Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had their own throwdown, and Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) sliced past all of them to start making some space in fifth. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) was next on the scene and it settled into Oliveira in fifth, Binder trying to hold off Bastianini and a flashback battle between Quartararo and Bagnaia.
Up ahead, Marc Marquez laid down the gauntlet ahead of the Grand Prix as his first Sprint win ups the hype even more. The Gresini Racing MotoGP rider has led every session of his weekend so far and if he wins on Sunday it will be his first victory since 2021, over 1000 days ago.
Martin pulled out a gap on Acosta by the flag, and the rookie also managed to keep some fresh air ahead of Alex Marquez in fourth. Oliveira kept fifth, with Binder staying in P6 by just over a tenth over Bastianini.
Behind, it went to the wire in the Bagnaia vs Quartararo battle, with the Frenchman sending it a couple of times before managing to complete the pickpocket and sit the #1 up. Bagnaia then came under attack on the last lap from Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), but the #1 was able to answer on the cut back and cross the line for that final Sprint point in P9.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) crashed out early on at Turn 1 and nearly took Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) with him, but the returning Italian stayed upright. Further drama included a crash for Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) – rider ok – and one for Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), rider also ok but that adding a blip to the Frenchman’s otherwise stunning weekend at Aragon so far.
Join us again on Sunday for the Grand Prix race as Marc Marquez looks for a date with destiny – and everyone else looks to stop him 1043 days later.
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Finally, Chennai Formula Racing Circuit gets going after some delay
Chennai, 31 August 2024: The proceedings at the first Night Race in the country, on the new Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, got delayed on Saturday as the homologation by the international Federation, the FIA, was not completed on time.
The FIA Circuit Commission member, Giuseppe Muscioni, inspected the track and suggested some changes on Friday due to safety concerns. However, the organisers took time to make the corrections and sessions of the second round of the Indian Racing League and the Indian F4 Championship got delayed. The races were expected to go around the streets of Chennai with a perfect backdrop of the iconic Island Ground under the twinkling starlight.
The 3.5-km street circuit features 19 turns, multiple chicane and fast straights, including the striking Napier Bridge, painted in a chequered flag design and then the drivers will go by the War Memorial.
Supported by the Tamil Nadu government, the race on Sunday to elevate Chennai, the cradle of motorsports in India to the motorsport capital of the country. Turn 18 and Turn 10 had some concerns.
Later, Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the event and the practice sessions took place late in the night.
The main races are scheduled for Sunday.
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Indian F4 and IRL: Chennai is all set for historic night races
Chennai, 30 August 2024: The Indian Racing Festival 2024 edition is all set to revv up for the country’s first-ever night race, as Chennai gears up for an electrifying weekend that promises to make history with a perfect backdrop of the iconic Island Ground under the twinkling starlight.
Nestled in the heart of this vibrant metropolis, the 3.5-km street circuit features 19 turns, multiple chicane and fast straights, including the striking Napier Bridge, painted in a chequered flag design as the zooming formula cars and the drivers will zoom by the War Memorial. Presented by Kingfisher Soda and promoted by Racing Promotions private limited, the night race will be nothing short of a spectacle and a monumental step forward for Indian motorsports.
Supported by the Tamil Nadu government, this race aims to elevate Chennai’s status as a motorsport capital by offering fans an unparalleled experience. With packed houses in attendance having close to 9,000 spectators the streets of Chennai will be transforming itself to etch themselves among the global few when it comes to having Night Street Circuit in the world.
IRL Press meet, from left: Jon Lancaster, Ruhaan Alva, Gabriella Jikova, Raoul Hyman, Hugh Barter, Mohd Ryan, Chethan Korada at a hotel in Chennai on 30 Aug 2024. IRL photo Dr. Atulya Misra, Additional Chief Secretary to Youth Welfare and Sports Development said: “Lot of efforts have been undertaken to bring this milestone night circuit to life in the streets of Chennai. It is not only a prestigious moment for India but will also propel Chennai and Tamil Nadu in the global map as a strong Motorsports destination. While every effort is going into the smooth execution of the race and create a thrilling street circuit which will not only be a spectacle to watch out for but also will be as competitive as one can imagine. This is not just a race; it’s a celebration of speed, skill, and the spirit of Chennai.”
With IRL cars expected to exceed speeds of 200 kmh, the street track is set to push drivers to their limits as they strive to master the circuit configurations and manoeuvre for maximum speed and impact and on the grid which rums amidst multiple landmarks such as the centuries-old Fort St. George and the renowned Marina Beach in the whole stretch.
“We have done the hard yards to ensure that spectators enjoy the races in comfort and safety, and we are hopeful that India will be able to witness a grand success. We are indeed grateful to the Government of Tamil Nadu, the SDAT team, and every other department that helped us to put this landmark race together,” said Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), promoters of IRF.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Indian Racing League event, some of the participating racers shared their thoughts on what this moment means to them. Their words reflect not only their passion for the sport but also the significance of the event in the broader context of Indian motorsport.
The six city-based franchise teams of Indian Racing League (IRL)– Chennai Turbo Chargers, Goa Aces JA Racing, Speed Demons Delhi, Bangalore Speedsters, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, and Hyderabad Blackbirds along with eight teams (includes six teams of IRL and two more teams. Ahmedabad Apex Racers and Godspeed Kochi) will be speeding as part of the FIA Formula 4 India Championships, are all charged up for this historic weekend.
Chetan Korada, the first Asian racer ever to win a race using prosthetic feet. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan Chethan Korada, the first Asian racer ever to win a race using prosthetic feet expressed his excitement on getting an opportunity to drive at the night circuit said,”It’s a great honor to be part of this event, and I’m deeply grateful to the government for this incredible opportunity. Racing has been my passion for the last 18 years, and I’ve competed in nearly every motorsport during that time. Reaching this point hasn’t been easy, and I want to thank Arman Ibrahim for the scholarship that made this possible. Racing on roads I’ve known since childhood is truly a dream come true, and I’m looking forward to the race.”
With experience of driving as part of European Formula 4 teams, India origin driver, Nikhil Bohra who is representing Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers said, “It is such a glamorous event that is not only a statement for Indian motorsport, but it’s just a statement around the world. I mean, to do this in a country with over one billion people is next level. I just have a huge respect for everyone who put this together. So, thank you for inviting me back, and I’m looking forward to this weekend.
The Goa Aces woman driver, Gabriela Jikova, who got a podium in Round 1 at the Press Conference on Friday. Photos by Srinivasa Krishnan The Goa Aces woman driver, Gabriela Jikova who had a podium finish in Round 1 said, “Motorsport, much like on the men’s side, has traditionally been male-dominated, but we’re seeing a significant change. Today, more women are getting involved, and this is evident in the Indian Racing League, where we have a growing number of female participants. Comparing it to my early days in karting, there were far fewer girls back then. It’s exciting to see women’s motorsport growing, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. We’re doing our best on the track, and I believe we’re doing a great job. Thank you.”
In the first round at Madras International Circuit on August 24-25, the Bengal Tigers excelled, with all drivers scoring points. Alister Yoong won Race-2, and Ruhaan Alva secured P3 in Race-1. In the Formula 4 segment, Australia’s Hugh Barter rebounded from a last-lap retirement in Race-1 to win the next two races, including a remarkable victory from P15 on the grid.
Great start for Ruhaan Alva of Bengaluru, who had a P3 in both F4 and IRL in the first round. The event kicks off at 2 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, offering spectators plenty of entertainment, including car stunts and “hot laps” by bike riders.
JK TYRE-FMSCI INDIAN NATIONAL RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Round-2 of the 29th JK Tyre-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship, made up of Formula LGB4 class with a 24-car grid, will run concurrently, and thus, it will set another landmark by becoming the first domestic motor racing competition to have night races.
Last weekend’s double-header witnessed some of the closest racing in recent memory, with the low-cost, entry-level Formula cars going wheel-to-wheel at tremendous pace. Dark Don team-mates, Bala Prasath (Coimbatore) and Tijil Rao (Bengaluru) survived the hectic competition to win a race apiece.
KEY INFORMATIONS FOR SPECTATOR MOVEMENT
To be a part of the first ever night race in Chennai, attendees are directed to specific gates and box offices based on their seating and ticket categories:
- Box Office 1 – Gate No. 2: Serves Grandstand 1, with entry from Muthuswamy Road/Bridge.
- Box Office 3 – Gate No. 4: Serves Grandstands 2, 3, 4 & 5, with parking at Kalavaram Ground and entry from Wallajah Road to Press Club Road.
- Box Office 4 – Gate No. 5: For the Media Stand, meeting at Tamil Nadu State Guesthouse, with entry from Wallajah Road to Press Club Road.
- Box Office 5 – Gate No. 6: Caters to Gold, Platinum, and Premium Lounges, with parking at Madras University and entry from Kamarajar Road.
About Indian Racing Festival
The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is a meticulously curated motorsport event designed to captivate the growing motorsport fan base in India. The Indian Racing League (IRL) and the Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) are the two championships under the Indian Racing Festival banner. Notably, the Indian Racing League is FMSCI (Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) approved, adding a level of prestige and official recognition to the competition.
● The Indian Racing League (IRL) is India’s only 4-wheel racing league and the world’s first gender-neutral racing championship series, promoting inclusivity and competitive spirit. IRL features six city-based teams competing in a dynamic franchise-based competition.
● Formula 4 is an open-wheel, single-seater racing category intended for junior drivers. It is the first step of the ladder for an aspiring racing driver from karting to single-seater racing.
The FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship has begun to attract young and aspiring drivers from around the world and the country. It creates an opportunity for young drivers in their single-seater journey with minimal investment from their end. The drivers gain Super License points and the Indian talent gets to do this at home instead of going abroad.
About Sports Development Authority of Tamil Naidu
The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) is dedicated to promoting sports and physical fitness across Tamil Nadu. Leveraging resources from government, sports associations, philanthropists, institutions, and sports enthusiasts, SDAT aims to foster a thriving sports culture and enhance physical well-being throughout the State.
About Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd.
Racing Promotions Private Ltd., co-founded by Akhilesh Reddy and professional race drivers Armaan Ebrahim and Aditya Patel in 2019, aims to bridge the gap between racing talent and opportunities. The franchise model, a first in Indian motorsports, emphasizes creating lasting engagement opportunities for teams, drivers, fans, and sponsors while promoting inclusivity and competitive spirit.
Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) is dedicated to forging a holistic motorsport ecosystem in India, with the mission to host FIA-caliber events and create pathways for aspiring individuals to pursue careers as drivers, engineers, and mechanics. Committed to revolutionizing motorsport, RPPL also aims to bolster motorsport education and awareness across the nation.
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Chennai Formula street circuit, gets a facelift; all set to host the Round 2 of IRL & Indian F4
Chennai, 27 August 2024: The Chennai Formula Circuit is in Work in Progress state to host the second round of the Indian Racing League. INDIAinF1 consultant photo editor Srinivasa Krishnan is on a reccee and here is a selection of photographs that depict the status of the circuit as on 27 August 2024.
Named as Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, CFRC, will host the second round of the Indian Racing League and the Indian F4 championship, the highest rated event after Formula 1 that is being held in India. The Street Circuit will be the second in the country, after Hyderabad hosted the first IRL, also on a street circuit and the 2023 Hyderabad ePrix, the Formula E race.
The LED floodlights that are being installed are shown here! One can see Sir Thomas Munro statue at the end… PHOTOS by Srinivasa Krishnan The 3.5KM street circuit in the heart of Chennai, is conceived by Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the organisers of IRL and F4 in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The circuit was formally launched on August 16 and is all set to host India’s first-ever night street race. It was planned to host the IRL and F4 India round on 9 and 10 December 2023. However, the race was canceled due to the cylone Michaung.
The stretch opposite to Shivananda circle The 3.500 km (2.175 mi) circuit around Island grounds will run through Flag Staff Road, Victory War Memorial, Pallavan Road (junction), Sivananda circle and Napier Bridge and ends at Island Grounds. Unlike the planned elevation changes at Buddh International circuit, the Chennai street circuit used the natural roads that have significant elevation changes. It is within the view of the Bay of Bengal, within 400 metres of Marina Beach.
The street circuit will run in an anti-clockwise direction and has 19 corners with multiple chicanes, the start grid is just ahead of the Napier Bridge. The pitlane and paddock will be on the Island Grounds. It is designed by Driven International, the group which built the Hyderabad Street Circuit. Karun Chandhok, India’s second Formula 1 driver, is a consultant for Driven International and he played a key role with his inputs.
The Tamil Nadu government had supported the initiative under the leadership of Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, with a partnership that was worked out between Greater Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Racing Promotions (RPPL) has invested Rs.200 crores and the TN government has supported Rs. 42 crores.
