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Tag: IRL
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Ruhaan Alva bags a grand double in F4; Goa Aces JA Racing clinch IRL title
Coimbatore, 17 November 2024: Bengaluru’s racing star Ruhaan Alva of Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers closed the championship in style bagging a grand double in the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship while Raoul Hyman and Gabriela Jilkova not only delivered a 1-2 finish for Goa Aces JA Racing but also helped the team clinch the Indian Racing League championship as the curtains came down at the Kari Motor Speedway, here on Sunday.
South African teenager Aqil Alibhai (Hyderabad Blackbirds) clinched the F4 title. Alva finished second in the Championship as the fifth and final round of the IRL promoted by Racing Promotions private limited concluded on Sunday.
Alibhai, enjoying a successful season with six wins, had two podium finishes (P2 and P3) today which fetched sufficient points to win him the crown.
South African teenager Aqil Alibhai (Hyderabad Blackbirds) clinched the F4 title Alva displayed rare sparks of aggression as he won the day’s first race starting from P5 on the reverse grid easily outpacing Alibhai and Divy Nandan (Bangalore Speedsters). He carried the momentum to win the next from P4 ahead of Canadian Hady Noah Mimassi (Chennai Turbo Riders) and Alibhai. In both races, the 18-year-old came up with a couple of daring moves to notch deserving wins.
An unperturbed Alibhai played it smart. With one eye on the points, he was content to run in P2 behind Alva in the first race as the Indian took the honours by over nine seconds. Alibhai had enough lead on third-placed Nandan to survive a 10-second post-race penalty for a “infringement”.
The P2 finish ensured Alibhai the championship as he led Alva by 29 points going into the final race which had a maximum of 26 on offer.
For the several Indian drivers, the season in F4 was an eye-opener in the context of the level of competition at this level. The championship made it affordable for the home-grown racers to take the next step up in their racing careers and the experience should stand them in good stead going forward.
Alibhai said: “I wanted to finish the season with a win, but it was not to be. But I have had a good season, and I am very happy to win the championship. Going forward, let’s see where this success takes me.”
Indian Racing League
Raoul Hyman tops IRL race as Goa Aces clinch title on Sunday at Kari Speedway. Photo by Rahul Reghu Raoul Hyman and Gabriela Jilkova not only delivered a 1-2 finish for Goa Aces JA Racing but also helped the team clinch the Indian Racing League championship. There was icing on Goa Aces’ cake too as the team also won the car championship to finish the season with a memorable double.
Going into the final race which began after sharp showers, the Goa Aces led Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers by just two points, but the latter virtually handed over the championship on a platter within seconds after the race commenced from a rolling start following a crash.
Ruhaan Alva, sandwiched between pole-sitter Hyman and Jilkova in P2, lost the rear of his car, slid across the track and rammed into Akash Gowda (Speed Demons Delhi) just as they approached the start-finish line, leading to their retirement. The Safety Car made a brief appearance before racing resumed.
Thereafter, Hyman and Jilkova cruised along without any serious challenge with the former eventually winning by 28 seconds as they came up with a 1-2 finish for their team which followed yesterday’s win by their team-mate Sohil Shah. Mohd Ryan (Chennai Turbo Riders) completed the podium.
The second Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers car, driven by Malaysian Alister Yoong, finished a distant seventh.
“We are very happy for the 1-2 finish. We are grateful to the team for giving us cars that won the races for us. It is their hardwork which enabled us to win the championship,” said Hyman.
The two-day Indian Racing Festival was sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1 and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.
The results (Provisional):
John Abraham with Goa Aces Team Medium Indian Racing League (Race-2, Driver-B) 25 mins+1 lap:1. Raul Hyman (UK, Goa Aces JA Racing) (26:39.020); 2.Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic, Goa Aces JA Racing) (27:07.684);3. Mohamed Ryan (India, Chennai Turbo Riders) (27:29.813). Best Lap:Raoul Hyman (01:10.359).
Formula 4 Indian Open (Race-2, 25mins+1 lap):1. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers) (26:55.114);2. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Hyderabad Blackbirds) (27:14.880);3. Divy Nandan (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:24.987).Best Lap:Ruhaan Alva (01:06.492).
Race-3:1. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Royal Bengal Tigers) (27:00.884);2. Hady Noah Mimassi (Canada, Chennai Turbo Riders) (27:10.373);3. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Hyderabad Blackbirds) (27:16.425).Best Lap:RuhaanAlva (01:06.386).
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Ruhaan Alva, Veer Sheth, Alibhai win a race each: Indian F4
Chennai, 15 Sept. 2024: Jaden Pariat ‘won’ on the track, but was stripped away and demoted to P8 in Race 3, as the final day of Round 3 of the Formula 4 Indian Championship, produced three different winners in three races held on Sunday.
The premier F4 championship was held along with the Indian Racing League and the JK Tyre National Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit, Irungattukottai, near here.
Ruhaan Alva of Shrach Rarh Bengal Tigers, Veer Sheth of Ahmedabad Apex Racers, who moved up from P2 to P1 after Bangalore Speedsters’ racer winner Jaden Pariat was docked a 20-second penalty, and South African Aqil Alibhai (Black Birds Hyderabad), all won a race each in the three F4 races today. Jaden won the Indian F4 Race 1 on Saturday.
From left – Isaac Demellweek, Aqil Alibhai, Ruhaan’s team principal, Ruhaan Alva and Jaden Pariat at MIC on Sunday. Photo by IRL In the day’s first race, Alva was in a league of his once he moved to the front in the very first lap and was simply unstoppable. As the race progressed, Australian teenager Isaac Demellweek (Chennai Turbo Riders), Alibhai, Pariat and pole-sitter Aiva Anagnostiadis (Goa Aces JA Racing), the 2021 Australian female karting champion, settled into a formation behind Alva until the Safety Car came into play in the 15th minute which bunched up the grid. On resumption with close to two minutes and one lap left, Alibhai and Pariat jumped to P2 and P3 behind Alva who continued serenely to victory while also being credited with the fastest lap of the race.
IRL cars lined up at MIC on Sunday. Photos IRL In the next race, it was Pariat all the way after surviving a contact with Alibhai while trying to regain his track position. The incident pushed Alibhai to P16 but he finished P4 eventually. Pariat was docked a post-race 20-second penalty “for causing avoidable collision” and it dropped him to eighth in the final standings. Consequently, Veer Sheth, Ruhaan Alva and Abhay Mohan (Bangalore Speedsters) all moved up a spot to finish first, second and third, respectively.
In the final race, Alibhai built a winning lead after moving from P3 to P1 before Turn-1 in the very first lap and enjoyed a trouble-free run to spare nearly 19 seconds to second-placed Divy Nandan (Ahmedabad Apex Racers) and Ruhaan Alva who did well to hold off an aggressive Pariat in the latter half of the race.
IRL
Mohammed Ryan converted a pole position start to a maiden win while delivering a double for Chennai Turbo Riders the Indian Racing League races. The 22-year-old Ryan’s win came on the back of team-mate Jon Lancaster’s success in IRL Race-1 yesterday.
Mohd Rayan takes a win from pole in the IRL race on Sunday at MIC. Photos supplied by IRL The 2019 Rotax Karting champion Ryan, racing on home circuit, had a brilliant start and put in consistent fast laps for his first win in the IRL which triggered celebrations in the Chennai Turbo Riders.
While Ryan disappeared into the distance at the start, Sohil Shah (Goa Aces JA Racing) moved aggressively past Jaden Pariat (Bangalore Speedsters) going into Turn-1. Pariat then dropped one more spot when team-mate Rishon Rajeev got a jump on him later in the opening lap. The top three then maintained their track positions without much ado, while behind them others scrapped for points.
An elated Ryan said: “I had a good start and kept my focus to put some consistent laps. I am happy that my team, Chennai Turbo Riders won both the IRL races this weekend and picked up some big points.”
The Indian Racing League and Indian F4 Championship, to be held over five rounds, is sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1 and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.
JK Tyre-fmsci Indian National Championship
Bengaluru’s Tijil Rao led a podium sweep for Dark Don Racing team as he came up with a brilliant drive starting from P5 for his third win in six starts this season.
Finishing behind him were team-mates Viswas Vijayaraj from Nellore and Coimbatore’s Bala Prasath. Despite losing the front nose cone of his car, Bala Prasath gave a fine exhibition of defensive driving to hold off rookie and Bengaluru teenager Dhruv Goswami (MSPORT) over the last three of the 10-lap race.
Goswami, in fact, started from P12 on the grid and aided by some daring overtakes, all but managed to secure a podium spot in the overall standings, though he topped the Rookie category, way ahead of Monith Kumaran (Ahura Racing) and Abhinav Reddy (Avalanche Racing).
The weekend results put Tijil Rao on top of the overall leaderboard while Goswami also moved up the championship standings in the Rookie category.
The Round 4 of the Indian Racing Festival will be held on October 19-20 at the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore.
The results (Provisional):
Veer Seth, was promoted as the winner of Indian F4 Championship Race 3 at MIC on Sunday. Indian Racing League: Race-2 (B Driver) (25 minutes + 1 Lap):1. Mohammed Ryan (India, Chennai Turbo Riders) (26mins, 57.602secs);2. Sohil Shah (India, Goa Aces JA Racing) (26:59.183);3. Rishon Rajeev (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:14.841).
Formula 4 Indian (25mins + 1 Lap):
Race-2:1. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) (28:16.720); 2. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Black Birds Hyderabad) (28:17.475); 3. Jaden Pariat (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (28:18.697).
Race-3: 1.Veer Sheth (India, Ahmedabad Apex Racers) (27:41.457); 2. Ruhaan Alva (India, ShrachiRarh Bengal Tigers) (27:41.622); 3. Abhay Mohan (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:43.916).
Race-4: 1. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Black Birds Hyderabad) (27:31.329); 2. Divy Nandan (India, Ahmedabad Apex Racers) (27:50.567); 3. Ruhaan Alva (India, ShrachiRarh Bengal Tigers) (27:51.089).
JK Tyre-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship:
Formula LGB 4: Race-3 (10 Laps):1. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Dark Don Racing) (19:42.876); 2. Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, Dark Don Racing) (19:44.762); 3. Bala Prasath (Coimbatore, Dark Don Racing) (19:52.697).
Rookie: 1. Dhruvh Goswami (Bengaluru, MSport) (19:52.770); 2. Monith Kumaran (Chennai, Ahura Racing) (19:59.569); 3. K Abhinav Reddy (Hyderabad, Avalanche Racing) (20:05.030).
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Jaden Pariat takes brilliant win in Indian F4; Abhay Mohan takes creditable 3rd
Chennai, 14 Sept. 2024: Teenager from Shillong Jaden Pariat took a brilliant victory, his second in the championship while team-mate 16-year-old Abhay Mohan from Bengaluru, in his first full single-seater season, come third behind South African Aqil Alibhai (Black Birds Hyderabad) to provide their team, Bangalore Speedsters, a creditable double podium on Day One of the third round of the Indian F4 Championship at the Madras International Circuit, here on Saturday.
The Indian Racing League promoted by Racing Promotions private limited, was also held along with the JK Tyre National Racing Championship 2024.
Off to a clean start from pole position, 17-year-old Pariat, winner here in Round 1, and National champion in the MRF F2000 class, never looked back for a lights-to-flag win. Behind him, Alibhai settled into P2 from Lap 1 to the finish, not having the pace to trouble Pariat who also put in the fastest lap of the race, a blistering one minute, 40.459 seconds.
Jaden Pariat celebrates after winning the F4 Indian race at MIC on Saturday. IRL photo Down the grid, battles raged up for track positions. Abhay Mohan, winner of the National title in the MRF F1600 category earlier this summer, started from P5 but immediately gained a spot when Veer Sheth (Ahmedabad Apex Racers) stalled on the grid and dropped to last. Abhay, the Class 12 NIOS student, then put fellow-Bengalurean Ruhaan Alva (ShrachiRarh Bengal Tigers) under pressure before passing for P3, a position he comfortably held to the finish. Alva eventually came in fifth.
Down the road, Gurugram’s Divy Nandan (Ahmedabad Apex Racers) put in an impressive show to climb from P16 to eventual P7 finish.
Ruhaan Alva impressive, but loses top spot in the last lap
With a fastest lap timing and leading the race until few corners from the finish, ShrachiRarh Bengal Tiger’s Ruhaan Alva slipped to third position with a gearbox issue and home favourite Chennai Turbo Rider’s Jon Lancaster, made the best of the opportunity to finish on the top step of the podium
The 35-year-old Lancasterfrom UK and representing Chennai Turbo Riders in this franchise-based Indian Racing League championship, was running about four seconds behind Alva in the last lap of the race (A Drirver), but lady luck smiled on him when disaster struck Alva a few corners from the finish, allowing him to take the win ahead of Czech Republic’s Gabriela Jilkova (Goa Aces JA Racing). Alva, who had started from pole position and built a winning lead, managed to limp home in thirdplace in a race that was his to lose.
With a win in sight and less than a lap left for the finish, the 18-year-old Ruhaan came across a car that had spun across the track. He slowed down and passed the stricken car only to meet with disaster as the engine spluttered and the gear got stuck in third. It allowed Lancaster and Jilkovato pass him.
At the start, Alva made a good getawaywhile his team-mate, Malaysian Allister Yoong dropped two spots from P2 as Lancaster and Jilkova slipped past in the very first lap. Their positions remained unchanged until the last lap when Alva blew away a certain victory.
Gabriela Jillkova, takes a deserving second place, racing on equal footing with men in the IRL at MIC on Saturday. An IRL image “You got to take the opportunities,” was how Lancaster commented after the win. “It was
The Indian Racing Festival, to be held over five rounds, is sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1 and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.
JK Tyre-Fmsci Indian National Racing Championship 2024
Coimbatore’s Bala Prasath led a 1-2 finish for Dark Don after starting P3 on the 24-car grid in Race-1 of Formula LGB, that was twice interrupted by Safety Car due to on-track incidents. Following him home was Tijil Rao from Bengaluru ahead of Ahura Racing’s Chetan Surineni, also from Bengaluru. It was the second win of the season for Bala Prasath.
Likewise, Abhay Mohan, who showed impressive pace for his second win, and Dhruvh Goswami, both from Bengaluru, delivered a 1-2 result for MSport while Hyderabad’s Abhinav Reddy (Avalanche Racing) completed the podium in the Rookie class.
At the start of the race, pole-sitter Viswas Vijayaraj (Dark Don Racing) led the pack for a couple of laps before the Safety Car was deployed. On resumption, Vijayaraj slid to third behind Bala Prasath who put in some quick laps to gain the lead ahead of Tijil Rao who had led briefly. The order remained unchanged for a couple of laps until Surineni made a move on Vijayaraj to take P3 before the second Safety Car period. The race ended behind the Safety Car with Bala Prasath taking a win from Tijil Rao and Surineni.
Later, in Race-2 that was red-flagged twice and reduced to five laps, Chetan Surineni took the honours, holding off Bala Prasath and Viswas Vijayaraj. In the Rookie class, Bengaluru’s Dhruvh Goswami finished first ahead of Abhinav Reddy and Pune’s Neythan McPherson (Momentum Motorsport).
The results (Provisional):
Indian Racing League:
Race-1 (Driver A, 25mins + 1 Lap):1. Jon Lancaster (UK, Chennai Turbo Riders) (27mins, 11.213secs);2. Gabriela Jilkova (Czech Republic, Goa Aces JA Racing) (27:12.428);3. Ruhaan Alva (India, ShrachiRarh Bengal Tigers) (27:14.554).
Formula 4 Indian – Race-1 (25mins + 1 Lap):1. Jaden Pariat (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (26:57.528);2. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Black Birds, Hyderabad) (27:02.059);3. Abhay Mohan (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:20.546).
JK Tyre-FMSCI Indian National Racing Championship:
Formula LGB 4 (Race-1, 8 laps):1. Bala Prasath (Coimbatore, Dark Don Racing) (17:58.987); 2. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Dark Don Racing) (17:59.833); 3. Chetan Surineni (Bengaluru, Ahura Racing) (18:00.288).
Rookie: Abhay Mohan (Bengaluru, MSport) (18:01.848);2. Dhruvh Goswami (Bengaluru, MSport) (18:02.402); 3. K Abhinav Reddy (Hyderabad, Avalanche Racing) (18:06.581).
Race-2 (5 laps):1. Chetan Surineni (Bengaluru, Ahura Racing) (09:58.945); 2. Bala Prasath (Coimbatore, Dark Don Racing) (09:58.967); 3. Viswas Vijayaraj (Nellore, Dark Don Racing) (10:00.099).
Rookie: 1. Dhruvh Goswami (Bengaluru, MSport) (10:06.569); 2. Abhinav Reddy (Hyderabad, Avalanche Racing) (10:14.306); 3, Neythan McPherson (Pune, Momentum Motorsport) (10:14.529).
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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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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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Historic F4 victory for Jaden Pariat on debut; Lancaster wins IRL race
Chennai, 24 August 2024: Seventeen-year-old Jaden Rahman Pariat from Shillong, who was crowned the Formula 2000 Indian National Champion last Sunday at the same venue, made history by becoming only the third Indian to win a race in the F4 Indian Championship. Both the races were filled with drama, twists, and turns. In the other race, veteran Jon Lancaster from Leeds, England, claimed victory in the Indian Racing League during Round 1 of the Indian Racing Festival at the Madras International Circuit on Saturday.
Jaden Rahman Pariat, Bangalore Speedsters Promoted by Racing Promotions Private Limited, and presented by Kingfisher Soda, the second edition of the Indian Racing League and the Indian F4 Championship kicked off with eight teams and 16 drivers while the IRL had six teams with 24 drivers, including female racers competing on equal footing with their male counterparts. In the first edition of F4 India, only Shahan Ali Mohsin and Rishon Rajiv had race wins, and Jaden, Bangalore Speedsters driver, joins the elite group, with this victory which fell on his lap, in the last lap, well almost.
“Oh man!, it was so difficult to keep the car on the track. All I can say is that, THANK YOU, ALMIGHTY! I had gear box issues. But I managed to move to P2. I did not know what went wrong with him (Aqil Alibhai). But before that, I was wide and did manage to keep my place as Ruhaan failed to capitalise on it. After the start, I saw him move away. But I persisted in my third place and it paid dividends. In the end, I cam around and saw that his car was parked. I said oh my God, I just need to finish,” that is how Jaden put his thoughts about the race.
Jaden Pariat, who made a mistake and went off the track, but shot back with brilliant defensive driving to keep his P2, before taking the lead at the fag end due to a stalled car… at the Madras International Circuit on Saturday. Photos by Srinivasa Krishnan Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Blackbirds team had a challenging afternoon. First, Hugh Barter of GodSpeed Kochi retired from the F4 Indian Championship race while poised for an easy victory, handing the win to Pariat of Bangalore Speedsters. Later, Hyderabad Blackbirds driver, Swiss ace Neel Jani, also retired just as he was about to secure a win, gifting the victory to Chennai Turbo Riders’ Lancaster.
Though Lancaster and Pariat shone, Ruhaan Alva, the teenager from Bengaluru racing for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, earned praise for his podium finishes in both races, which remained uncertain until the very end.
The 39-year-old Lancaster triumphed in a dramatic IRL Race 1 for A Drivers. Pole-sitter Alva dropped to fifth after going off the track midway through the race, allowing Lancaster to take the lead ahead of Jani. However, Lancaster went wide exiting Turn 2, and Jani took the lead. In a final twist, with three minutes and one lap remaining, Jani retired, and Lancaster regained the lead, with Portugal’s Alvaro Parente (Speed Demons Delhi) finishing second, ahead of the fast-finishing Alva, who climbed back to P3 after some impressive laps. The positions remained unchanged at the finish. “That’s racing for you. I took my chances,” said Lancaster. Alva earned bonus points for the fastest lap of the race and pole position.
Jon Lancaster, UK, Chennai Turbo Riders In the Formula 4 Indian race, Pariat set the stage for his campaign in the first lap, overtaking Alva to move into P3 behind Hyderabad Blackbirds teammates Barter and Aqil Alibhai (South Africa). Despite a strangely tilted rear wing, Barter built a massive lead, which he maintained until the final lap before retiring. Prior to that, Alibhai had comfortably held off Pariat, but the South African noticeably lost pace in the final laps, allowing Pariat to catch up and move into P2. In the final lap, with Barter’s retirement, Pariat took the lead and secured a well-deserved victory. Alibhai just managed to hold off Alva for second, with the Bengaluru driver completing the podium.
“I don’t know what to say. When I saw Barter parked on the back loop, I knew I had a chance to win, and I told myself to just bring the car home safely, which I did. I must thank God for this win. There’s no other way to describe it,” said Jaden.
F4 podium: Left, Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Black Birds Hyderabad), centre, Jaden Pariat, Bangalore Speedsers, and Ruhaan Alva’s representative, as Ruhaan (not in pic, 3rd place) had to get ready for IRL race. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan The Indian Racing Festival, which spans five rounds, will include a historic night street race in the heart of Chennai next weekend. The event is sponsored by Kingfisher Soda, JK Tyres, Mobil 1, and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited.
JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship:
Jon Lancaster in action Formula LGB 4: Coimbatore’s Bala Prasath secured a thrilling victory in the Formula LGB 4 class, with the top three finishers separated by less than a second. The eight-lap race saw Prasath fend off a strong challenge from the MSport pair of teenager Abhay Mohan and veteran Raghul Rangasamy, while pole-sitter Dark Don Racing’s Viswas Vijayaraj from Nellore finished a distant 16th.
RE Continental Cup: As expected, Bengaluru’s Anish Shetty took the top spot in the Professionals class, delivering a strong performance after starting from P2 on the grid behind pole-sitter Abhishek Vasudev, also from Bengaluru. Vasudev finished 10th due to a puncture, while Shetty comfortably won the first race of the double-header, with over four seconds to spare ahead of Puducherry’s Navaneeth Kumar. Bengaluru’s Jagadeesh Nagaraj completed the podium.
Further down the grid, another Bengaluru driver, Yogesh P, topped the Amateur class, finishing ahead of Johring Waris (Umrangso, Assam) and Nijin A (Pathanamthitta, Kerala).
The results (Provisional):
From left: Alvaro Parente (2nd), Jon Lancaster (winner) and Ruhaan Alva (3rd) in the IRL race. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan IRL Race-1 (Driver A – 25 mins+1 lap):1.Jon Lancaster (UK, Chennai Turbo Riders) (27mins, 15.812secs);2. Alvaro Parente (Portugal, Speed Demons Delhi) (27:16.327);3. Ruhaan Alva (India, ShrachiRarh Bengal Tigers) (27:16.972).
Formula 4 Indian (Race-1, 25mins+1 lap):1. Jaden Rahman Pariat (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (27:14.967);2. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Black Birds Hyderabad) (27:19.427);3. Ruhaan Alva (India, ShirahiRarh Bengal Tigers) (27:19.922).
JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship
Formula LGB F4 (Race-1, 8 laps):1. Bala Prasath (Coimbatore, Dark Don Racing) (18:57.188);2. Abhay Mohan (Bengaluru, MSPORT) (18:57.690);3. Raghul Rangasamy (Mamallapuram, MSPORT) (18:57.993).
RE Continental GT Cup (Race-1, 6 laps) – Professionals:1. Anish Shetty (Bengaluru) (11:55.531);2. Navaneeth Kumar S (Puducherry) (11:59.767);3. Jagadeesh Nagaraja (Bengaluru) (12:00.779).Amateurs: 1. Yogesh P (Bengaluru) (12:29.228); 2. Johring Waris (Umrangso) (12:30.745); 3. Nijin A (Pathanamthit) (13:19.923).
F4 Indian Teams Championships
- Bangalore Speedsters 25 pointe;
- Hyderabad Blackbirsd 22+1(fastest lap);
- Ahmedabad Apex Racers 22;
- Shirachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 17;
- Chennai Turbo Riders 9;
- Goa Aces 6;
- GodSpeed Kochi 3; (pole)
- Speed Demons Delhi 0.
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Kolkata Royal Tigers make IRL debut; A brief look at the teams
Chennai, 23 August 2024: As the second season of the Indian Formula 4 Championship (Indian F4) kicks off at the Madras International Circuit, racing fans across India are eager to witness the spectacle once again. The championship, organized by Racing Promotions Private Limited, features a mix of seasoned racers and rising stars from around the globe, with teams competing for the coveted championship title. Here’s a look at the drivers set to compete in the Indian Racing League. The six teams are Goa Aces, Hyderabad Blackbirds, Speed Demons Delhi, Kolkata Royal Tigers, Chennai Turbo Riders, and Bangalore Speedsters. There are some last-minute changes of drivers which will be updated soon.
Goa Aces:
Jaden Pariat, who was crowned the Formula 2000 Indian champions last Sunday turns out for Bangalore Speedsters at a practice session on Friday. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan Goa Aces JA Racing has an impressive lineup of talented drivers who have made their mark in various motorsports championships across the globe.
Sohil Shah, a young Indian driver born on February 24, 2001, is a rising star in Indian motorsport. He recently became the 2023 Indian Racing League Champion, a prestigious title that marks his growing dominance in racing. In 2022, Sohil secured 3rd place overall in the F2000 category and competed in the Formula 4 UAE, showcasing his versatility and commitment to racing at high levels.
Shahan Ali Mohsin, another Indian talent, was born on July 13, 2004. Despite his young age, Shahan has already achieved remarkable success. In 2023, he clinched three wins and seven podium finishes in the F4 India series. The previous year, he impressed in the Indian Racing League, winning a Sprint Race and finishing P2 in the Feature Race. Shahan was also the 2021 champion of the Indian National Car Racing Championship in the MRF Formula 1600 class, further cementing his position as one of India’s brightest motorsport prospects.
Raoul Hyman, a British driver born on May 12, 1996, brings a wealth of experience to Goa Aces JA Racing. In 2023, Raoul not only became the Indian Racing League Champion but also competed in the Super Formula Championship. His standout achievement came in 2022 when he was crowned the FIA Formula Regional Americas Champion, proving his mettle in international racing.
Gabriela Jílková, hailing from the Czech Republic, was born on April 2, 1995. Gabriela’s racing career has been impressive, and in 2023 and 2024, she served as a Porsche Formula E Sim and Development Driver. Her diverse racing accomplishments include securing 3rd place in the 2023 FFSA GT4 and earning a race victory in the Prototype Cup Germany. Gabriela’s adaptability across different racing formats highlights her talent and dedication to motorsports.
Chennai Turbo Riders
Chennai Turbo Riders boasts a lineup of skilled drivers who have made significant strides in motorsport, representing a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars.
Sandeep Kumar, born on November 11, 1992, is a proven force in Indian motorsport. In 2023, he emerged as the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 National Champion, further solidifying his reputation as a top driver. Sandeep has consistently performed at a high level, finishing as the Vice National Champion in the 2022 MRF Indian Touring Car Championship. Additionally, he holds the title of National Champion in the MRF Volkswagen Polo Cup, highlighting his versatility across different racing formats.
Ace photojournalist Srinivasa Krishnan captures a Chennai Turbo Riders car during a practice session on Friday. Mohamed Ryan, born on March 29, 2004, is one of the promising young talents in Indian motorsport. His impressive runner-up finish in the 2022 MRF Formula 2000 series showcases his potential in competitive racing. Mohamed’s journey began with success in karting, where he won the 2019 Rotax Junior Max Karting Championship, and in 2020, he competed in the MRF 1300 Indian National Racing Championship. With his rapid progression, Mohamed is a driver to watch closely.
Jon Lancaster, a British driver born on December 10, 1988, brings a wealth of international experience to the team. In 2024, Jon secured podium finishes in the European GT4 series, and in 2023, he achieved multiple podiums in the McLaren Trophy. His extensive background in various high-profile racing championships makes him a valuable asset for Chennai Turbo Riders, contributing both skill and experience to the team.
Emily Duggan, born on August 13, 1996, is an accomplished driver with multiple race wins in Series X3 Supercar and a strong presence in the Super3 series. She has consistently delivered top-10 finishes in the Toyota 86 Championship, demonstrating her racing acumen and competitiveness in a variety of racing categories. Emily’s success across different formats highlights her adaptability and determination.
With a mix of national champions and international contenders, Chennai Turbo Riders is primed for success in the racing world.
Speed Demons Delhi
This diverse and talented team is poised to make its presence felt representing Goa Aces JA Racing with skill and passion on the track.
Speed Demons Delhi has assembled a formidable team of experienced and emerging talent from around the world. Each driver brings unique strengths and a proven track record, making them a competitive force on the racing circuit.
Akash Gowda, an Indian driver born on August 27, 1998, has consistently demonstrated his potential in motorsport. In 2022, he competed in the Indian Racing League, and before that, he raced in the F3 Asian Championship during the 2018-19 season. Akash’s participation in these high-profile racing series underscores his dedication to climbing the ranks in motorsports.
Sai Sanjay, born on December 3, 2002, is a promising young driver from India. His career highlights include becoming the first driver from Tamil Nadu to compete in the prestigious British GT series in 2024. In 2023, he showcased his racing prowess by winning the GT Cup Snetterton Finale, and in 2022, he was crowned the MRF Formula 2000 Champion. Sai’s rapid ascent in the racing world signals a bright future ahead.
Alvaro Parente, a seasoned Portuguese driver born on October 4, 1984, brings extensive international experience to Speed Demons Delhi. Alvaro’s impressive career includes winning the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge America Championship and the 2016 Bathurst 12-Hour endurance race. In 2015, he also claimed the GT Open Championship, making him a highly accomplished and versatile driver in the world of GT racing.
Angelique Detavernier, from Belgium, was born on January 24, 1986, and has an impressive resume across various racing formats. In 2024, she competed in the Campionato Italiano Sport Prototipi, further establishing her versatility as a driver. Angelique’s accomplishments include a podium finish in the 2022 Championat de France GT4 and another podium in the 2021 Belcar Endurance Prototype series. Her experience and success in endurance racing make her a valuable asset to the team.
With a mix of youth, experience, and international success, Speed Demons Delhi is well-positioned to compete at the highest levels of racing.
Bangalore Speedsters
Bangalore Speedsters brings together a dynamic and diverse team of drivers, each excelling in different areas of motorsport and contributing to the team’s competitive edge.
Abhay Mohan, an Indian racer born on 14 April 2008, has already claimed the titles of National Karting Champion in 2022 and National Champion in the MRF 1600s in 2024. He expressed his pride in competing at home, saying, “It’s a privilege to race in this championship on home soil. I want to thank my parents and the committee for this great opportunity.”
Kyle Kumaran, born on December 3, 2002, is a young Indian driver with an impressive record on the international stage. In 2022, he became the Dubai O Plate DD2 and F4 Champion, showcasing his versatility and talent. In 2021, Kyle won the IAME Summer Series as a Senior Champion and finished as the Vice World Champion in the RMC Grand Finals for the DD2 category. His rapid ascent through the racing ranks highlights his immense potential.
Rishon Rajeev, born on October 25, 2005, is another talented young driver from India. In 2023, Rishon made waves by becoming the Vice Champion in the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship, a significant accomplishment at such a young age. He also participated in the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy Selection Programme in the same year, reflecting his growing reputation in motorsport. Back in 2021, Rishon secured a 2nd Runner-Up position in the MRF Formula 1600, signalling his early promise in racing.
Julius Dinesen, a Danish driver born on April 21, 2007, is one of the youngest rising stars in the team. In 2023, Julius competed in the BMW M2 Cup Germany, building on his previous success as the 2022 Formula 4 Danish Champion. His early career was marked by a European Karting race win in 2021, indicating his potential to compete at higher levels of motorsport as he continues to develop his skills.
Caitlin Wood, an Australian driver born on January 15, 1997, brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments to Bangalore Speedsters. In 2024, she was named a Barbie Sports Ambassador and made history as the first Australian woman to win a class at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Her career also includes three podium finishes in the Porsche Sprint Challenge UK, proving her competitiveness and skill across various racing formats.
With a mix of young talent and experienced champions, Bangalore Speedsters is poised to make a strong impact.
Kolkata Royal Tigers
Kolkata Royal Tigers have assembled a team of talented and diverse drivers, each bringing a wealth of experience and success from various motorsport championships worldwide.
Nikhil Bohra, born on January 25, 2005, is one of India’s promising young racers. In 2024, he achieved a significant milestone with a win in the Formula 3 Regional Middle East Championship. His 2023 season saw him securing a podium finish in the Formula 3 Regional European Championship, as well as two wins and a pole position in the Indian Racing League. Nikhil’s consistent performances demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest levels of motorsport.
Ruhaan Alva, born on May 12, 2006, is another rising star from India. In 2023, he made a mark in the British GB4 Championship by securing a podium finish. Ruhaan was also part of the Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific Zone Selection in 2022, underscoring his potential as a future racing star. Additionally, he was part of the team that won the Indian Racing League in 2022, showcasing his talent and teamwork.
Alister Yoong, a Malaysian driver born on January 10, 2003, brings significant racing experience to the Kolkata Royal Tigers. In 2023, Alister had a standout season with four wins in the Italian Sports Prototype Championship. His 2022 campaign in the Indian Racing League was equally impressive, where he contributed to his team’s championship victory and finished P3 in the drivers’ standings, with three wins and two pole positions. Alister’s accomplishments in the FIA Formula 4, with multiple wins and podiums, further highlight his skill and competitiveness.
Fabienne Wohlwend, from Liechtenstein, was born on November 7, 1997, and brings a wealth of experience and success in endurance and single-seater racing. In 2024, she secured 3rd place in the 24h Nürburgring GT4 Class, demonstrating her endurance racing prowess. Fabienne also had a successful stint in the W Series from 2019 to 2022, where she achieved one pole position and three podium finishes. In 2018, she made history by winning the Ferrari Challenge World Finals, establishing herself as a highly accomplished and versatile driver.
With a strong lineup of young talents and experienced drivers, Kolkata Royal Tigers is set to make an impact in the competitive world of motorsport.
Hyderabad Blackbirds
Hyderabad Blackbirds have assembled a remarkable team of drivers, blending experienced champions with emerging talents, making them a formidable force on the racing circuit.
Akhil Rabindra, born on May 22, 1996, is a distinguished Indian driver with a strong track record. In 2022, he claimed the Indian Racing League Drivers’ Championship, further establishing his reputation in the Indian motorsport scene. Akhil’s international experience is equally impressive, with two podium finishes in the 2022 GT4 European Series. Since 2019, he has been a driver for the Aston Martin Racing Academy, where he continues to hone his skills in high-level GT racing.
Anindith Reddy, born on February 23, 1990, brings a wealth of experience and consistency to the team. In 2022, he played a crucial role in securing a 2nd place finish in the Teams’ Championship of the Indian Racing League. Anindith’s versatility is evident from his 2021 season, where he secured a win in the Indian Touring Car Championship and triumphed in the ITC Endurance KMS 50. His experience and success in endurance racing make him a valuable asset to Hyderabad Blackbirds.
Neel Jani, a Swiss driver born on December 8, 1983, is one of the most accomplished drivers on the team. Neel’s career highlights include winning the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship as the World Drivers’ Champion and achieving both pole position and victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the 2023/24 season, Neel is serving as an Audi F1 Sim Development Driver, building on his extensive experience as an F1 Test Driver from 2004 to 2012. His vast experience in endurance and Formula 1 racing brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team.
Laura Camps, born on March 28, 2005, is an exciting young talent from Spain. In 2023, Laura competed in the Indian Racing League, gaining valuable experience in a competitive environment. Her racing journey includes being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022, a prestigious program that identifies and nurtures young racing talents. Laura also showcased her skills in karting as a Tony Kart WSK Driver in 2022. Her inclusion in the team adds fresh energy and potential to Hyderabad Blackbirds.
With a blend of seasoned champions and emerging talents, Hyderabad Blackbirds is well-equipped to excel in this edition.
About the Formula 4 Indian Championship
Entering its second year, the Formula 4 Indian Championship is India’s only FIA-certified single-seater series. After a successful debut season, Indian F4 continues to provide young racing talent with the opportunity to earn super license points, paving the way to Formula 1. The 2024 season features 16 drivers from 8 teams, competing across 5 rounds, including street circuits and permanent tracks. MP Motorsports manages the cars, which are equipped with Mygale F4 Gen 2 chassis and Alpine 1.3L Turbo engines, reaching top speeds of 210 km/h.
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Udhayanidhi Stalin launches new Chennai Street Circuit, which is set to host IRL
Chennai, 16 August 2023: After creating and establishing a historic Hyderabad street circuit, which successfully held the first Indian Formula E Championship, Indian Racing League is all set to create history as it launches the Chennai Street Circuit for the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The much-awaited Street Circuit, only the second in India, is launched by Tamil Nadu’s Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin here on Wednesday.
The new Street Circuit to set to host the night races, a first in Indian Motorsports. Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the promoter of the F4 Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League (IRL) is also the exclusive rights holder of 4W-motorsports league in India. Today, amidst fanfar, RPPL launched a street circuit in Chennai, the motorsports capital of India.
Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), roped in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), the two crucial partners, to collaborate with RPPL, the promoter of Indian Racing League and F4 Indian Championship.
The 3.5-km layout located around the Island Grounds in the heart of the city, will host the first-ever night race in Asia. The Chennai Formula Racing Circuit is set to host the F4 Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League’s last leg on December 9 and 10, later this year, where drivers from Indian and abroad will take part. Six lady drivers will also showcase their talent as in the IRL last year.
Dr Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Welfare and Sports Development, J Meghanath Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary, SDAT, Akbar Ebrahim, President of Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (fmsci) and Akhilesh Reddy, MD of RRPL, also spoke. Armaan Ibrahim and Abhinandhan, Directors of RPPL were present and detailed the media about the event.
About RPPL: Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL) is the exclusive rights holder of 4W motorsports in India and is engaged in the business of developing IPs and organising championships in motorsports. Founded in 2018 by Armaan Ebrahim, Aditya Patel and Abhinandan, Racing Promotions is majority-owned by Akhilesh Reddy of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), a diversified conglomerate in infrastructure, energy and defence.
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Godspeed Kochi crowned maiden IRL champions
Hyderabad, 11 Dec 2022: Scintillating performance winning all the three races on the final day saw dark horses Godspeed Kochi crowned as the team champions in the inaugural Indian Racing League (IRL) as strong favourites Black Birds Hyderabad fell by the way side in the fourth and final round which concluded at the street circuit on the banks of Hussain Sagar here on Sunday.
Akhil Rabindra, who won the Driver’s championship. Photo Shameem Fahath Black Birds Hyderabad’s Akhil Rabindra, ace Indian driver, was adjudged as Driver champion followed by teammate Neel Jani in Second. Kochi team’s Alister Yoong of Malaysia was third.
All the four drivers of Kochi, Ruhaan Alva and Fabienne in Car #1 and Alister Yoong and Nikhil Bora in Car #2 turned in excellent performance on the final day to close the championship with a bang.
Despite the early hiccups, the historic Racing League, the first city-based motorsports league in the country also gave India its first Street Circuit, thanks to the support from the Telangana government. The new Circuit is expected to host the Formula E world Championship next February after the homologation of the track.
Godspeed Kochi’s Alister Yoong and Nikhil Bora finished the final day of the League season and the Round 4 on a high note, posting thumping victories in both the Sprint Races and the Feature Race. Meanwhile, their second car piloted by Ruhaan Alva and Fabienne Wohlwend, chipped in with a sixth place, despite technical issues with the car, after finishing fourth on the track and logging a penalty. Thus, Godspeed Kochi (313.5), who went into the final race trailing by 23.5 points to Black Birds Hyderabad (337) garnered enough points to turn the tables and overthrow the Championship leaders and were crowned the inaugural Team Champions of IRL promoted by Racing Promotions Private Limited. Kochi ended up with 417.5 points to Hyderabad’s 385.
Alister Yoong, centre, and Nikhil Bohra, right, with Kochi team boss Jose Pottamkulam Ootta, a former Rally star. File photo by Karan Ravi. In the Feature Race, both the Blue cars of Kochi started on the front row but there was much drama with a Red flag at the very beginning following Hyderabad’s Akhil Rabindra’s car stalling on the grid. Later, after three formation laps the race began with most of the cars on wet tyres on a drying track.
In car #2, Nikhil Bora started on pole and lead the race and after driver swap, Alister Yoong, surprisingly found himself in third place and finished second on the track. But later, he was credited with a victory in the Feature Race, thus making a clean sweep for Kochi team.
File photo of Ruhaan Alva, left, and Fabienne Wohlwend of Godspeed Kochi team. Photo by Akhil (IRL/Shameem’s team) Behind Alister, Kevin of Goa Aces, who began in P3 overtook Ruhaan and soon Jon Lancaster of Chennai followed suit. But with some skilful driving Ruhaan, the 17-year Bengalurean, gained back a place and jumped into the pits quite early and there was confusion if he missed the pit-window. However, Fabienne took over after the driver swap and retained the third place till the final lap before finishing the race in fourth place on the track. But later, a penalty saw them end up in sixth place. But that classification was enough to garner valuable 32 points for the team which counted in their snatching the Team Championship.
Earlier, Alister, the son of Malaysia’s first F1 racer Alex Yoong, won the first Sprint Race followed by Gabriela Jilkova and Sohil Shah (Both Goa Aces).
In the second Sprint Race, Nikhil Bora and Ruhaan Alva posted a 1-2 victory for Kochi to gain full points and Kevin Mirocha of Goa Aces finished third. With today’s exploits Goa Aces finished the championship in third with 282 points.
Godspeed Kochi team file photo from Round 2 by Shameem Fahath. Final Results – Feature Race:
1. Nikhil Bora/ Alister Yoong (Godspeed Kochi);
2. Kevin Mirocha / Gabriela Jilkova (Goa Aces);
3. Anindith Reddy/ Lola* (Black Birds Hyderabad);
4. Jon Lancaster / Sandeep Kumar (Chennai Turbo Riders);
5. Nicole Hvarda / Parth Ghorpade (Chennai Turbo Riders);
6. Ruhaan Alva /Fabienne Wohlwend (Godspeed Kochi);
*(Unwell Lola did not take part on Sunday and Anindith drove the race alone with a 3-min pitstop)
Not Classified:
7. Amir Sayed/ Sohil Shah (Goa Aces);
8. Rishon Rajeev / Bianca Bustamante (Bangalore Speedsters);
9. Mitchell Gilbert / Celia Martin (Speed Demons Delhi);
10. Akash Gowda/ Shahan Ali Mohsin (Speed Riders Delhi);
11. Oliver Webb /Anshul Gandhi (Bangalore Speedsters);
12. Akhil Rabindra /Thomas Canning (Black Birds Hyderabad);
Sprint Race 1:
1. Alister Yoong (Godspeed Kochi);
2. Gabriela Jilkova (Goa Aces)
3. Shohil Shah (Goa Aces)
4. Thomas Canning (Black Birds Hyderabad);
5. Akash Gowda (Speed Demons Delhi);
6. Nicole Havrda (Chennai Turbo Riders);
7. Sandeep Kumar (Chennai Turbo Riders);
8. Celia Martin (Speed Demons Delhi);
9. Fabienne Wohlwend (Godspeed Kochi);
10. Rishon Rajeev (Bangalore Speedsters);
11. Oliver Webb (Bangalore Speedsters);
12. Anindith Reddy (Black Birds Hyderabad).
Sprint Race 2:
1. Nikhil Bohra (Godspeed Kochi);
2. Ruhaan Alva (Godspeed Kochi);
3. Kevin Mirocha (Goa Aces);
4. Jon Lancaster (Chennai Turbo Riders);
5. Akhil Rabindra (Black Birds Hyderabad);
6. Amir Sayed (Goa Aces);
7. Parth Ghorpade (Chennai Turbo Riders);
8. Shahan Ali Mohsin (Speed Demons Delhi);
9. Mitchell Gilbert (Speed Demons Delhi);
10. Bianca Bustamante (Bangalore Speedsters);
11. Anshul Gandhi (Bangalore Speedsters);
12 Anindith Reddy (Black Birds Hyderabad).
Final Championship Points table
1. Godspeed Kochi 445.5;
2. Black Birds Hyderabad: 397;
3. Goa Aces: 294;
4. Chennai Turbo Riders 226.
5. Bangalore Speedsters 147.5;
6. Speed Demons Delhi 141;
Drivers title:
1. Akhil Rabindra (Black Birds Hyderabad);
2. Neel Jani (Black Birds Hyderabad);
3. Alister Yoong (Godspeed Kochi).
eom/david/7.42pm
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Shahan Ali, Akash shine for Speed Demons Delhi; Neel, Akhil salvage win for Hyd: IRL
Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 4 Dec 2022: Neel Jani and Akhil Rabindra chalked out an opportunistic victory in the Feature Race to help Black Birds Hyderabad maintain their grip at the top after young racing talent Shahan Ali Mohsin took a brilliant win in the Sprint Race 2 for Speed Demons Delhi in the third and penultimate round of the Indian Racing League promoted by Racing Promotions Pvt. Limited (RPPL) at the Madras International Circuit at Irungattukottai, about 40 kms from here, on Sunday.
Going into the third round, Speed Demons Delhi were lying at the bottom of the points table but with a strategic win in the qualifying session 2, Akash Gowda put his teammate Shahan Ali Mohsin in pole position and the 18-year Agra driver did a brilliant job with a mature drive as he kept experienced Jon Lancaster of Chennai Turbo Riders behind him with excellent defensive tactics despite a Safety Car period and brought home full points. Despite having issues with the gear box, the Speed Demons Delhi, took a gamble and preferred to start on pole, opting not to change the gear box which would have invited a 5-place gird penalty. Lancaster finished second ahead of Nikhil Bohra (Godspeed Kochi) in third, after Bianca Bustamante was hit by a mechanical failure.
“We did not have it easy in the race, nor earlier in the warm-up as we had gear-box issues. But we had the pace and I kept my focus despite the pressure from Jon (Lancaster). The team did a great job and the strategy worked,” said Shahan Ali.
Later, Shahan Ali combined well with Akash Gowda and were well on course for a victory but two Safety Car periods spoiled their party. Shahan who started the Feature race, defended well and slowly increased the lead with two fastest laps and handed over the car with a 5-second lead to Akash. Surprisingly, despite being in the lead when the second Safety Car period started, Delhi’s second driver Akash Gowda found himself in third. Sandeep Kumar of Chennai, who was in second place at that point with just a lap to go, stalled his car and the race finished behind the Safety Car. Akash finished behind Jani and Rishon took final place on the podium.
However, it was an opportunistic victory for Neel Jani, who salvaged full points along with Akhil Rabindra for Black Birds Hyderabad as the championship leaders failed to get on to the podium in both the sprint races in Round 3. Akash Gowda (Shahan Ali) finished second and a lucky Rishon Rajeev (Bianca Bustamante) of Bengaluru finished third, thanks to the Safety Car. During the Safety Car period, the lapped cars were allowed to un-lap themselves and with the mechanical failure for the Chennai car, Rishon suddenly found himself on the podium.
“I was a bit confused. Suddenly I was behind the Safety Car and I was wondering if I was in P1, then the Safety Car allowed us to pass and I came back into P4 and then the podium,” said a happy Rishon Rajeev of Bangalore Speedsters, whose teammate Bianca did well with some fine defensive driving but was unlucky to miss the podium in the Sprint.
The Fourth and the final leg of the Indian Racing League will return to the Street Circuit of Hyderabad December 10 and 11.
Results – Day 2, Round 3:
Feature Race:
1. Neel Jani / Akhil Rabindra (Black Birds Hyderabad) 41:20.818;
2. Shahan Ali Mohsin / Akash Gowda (Speed Demons Delhi) 41:21.384;
3. Rishon Rajeev /Bianca Bustamanta (Bangalore Speedsters) 41:22.633.
Sprint Race 2:
1. Shahan Ali Mohsin (Speed Demons Delhi) 23:04.788;
2. Jon Lancaster (Chennai Turbo Riders) 23:06.750;
3. Nikhil Bohra (Godspeed Kochi) 23:13.585.
