Indian Racing Festival sees fierce battles in Round 3 at Kari Motor Speedway

The engines roared and the tension mounted at the Kari Motor Speedway as Round 3 of the Indian Racing Festival unfolded with dramatic flair. Showcasing the finest in Indian and international motorsport talent, the weekend’s opening day featured exceptional drives from Kyle Kumaran, Itsuki Sato, and Mehul Agarwal—each stamping their authority across the Indian Racing League, Formula 4 Indian Championship, and the LGB4 categories respectively.

Indian Racing League: Kyle Kumaran Clinches Season’s First Win for Kichcha’s Kings Bangalore

The Indian Racing League continues its ascent as one of India’s premier motorsport platforms, and Saturday’s feature race provided further evidence of its competitive depth. Kyle Kumaran, representing Kichcha’s Kings Bangalore, delivered a faultless performance in the 25-minute plus one-lap contest, converting pole position into a commanding victory on the 2.4km Kari circuit.

“The car was good and I am glad to be on the podium. It was great — a pole and a first finish,” said Kumaran, whose stellar drive secured his and the team’s maiden victory of the season.

The celebrations extended within the team as seasoned racer Neel Jani stormed through the field from seventh on the grid to clinch third place, ensuring a double podium for Kichcha’s Kings Bangalore. Splitting the pair was Akhil Rabindra of Hyderabad Black Birds, whose duel with Jani culminated in a photo finish.

Provisional Results (IRL Driver A Race):

1. Kyle Kumaran (Kichcha’s Kings Bangalore) – 26:34.556
2. Akhil Rabindra (Hyderabad Black Birds) – 26:36.855
3. Neel Jani (Kichcha’s Kings Bangalore) – 26:36.934

Formula 4 Indian Championship: Itsuki Sato Impresses with Debut Victory

Making his Indian debut in the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship, Japanese driver Itsuki Sato, racing for Ahmedabad Apex Racers, delivered a polished and clinical performance, leading from pole to chequered flag in Race 1. The 22-year-old secured pole after 15-year-old Shane Chandaria of Chennai Turbo Riders was issued a five-place grid penalty.

Despite pressure from an international field comprising competitors from Japan, Mozambique, South Africa, and Australia, Sato held firm to register a decisive win.

“I enjoyed racing and I showed I could win,” Sato remarked after crossing the line with a time of 27:10.989.

Provisional Results (F4 Indian Championship – Race 1):

1. Itsuki Sato (Ahmedabad Apex Racers) – 27:10.989
2. Ghazi Motlekar (Kolkata Royal Tigers) – 27:31.350
3. Saishiva Sankaran (Speed Demons Delhi) – 27:31.469

Formula LGB4 – JK Tyre National Racing Championship: Mehul Agarwal Dominates Double Header

Mehul Agarwal of Dark Don Racing continued his formidable form in the Formula LGB4 class, part of the 28th JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship. On a day marked by drama and precision, Agarwal captured both Race 1 and Race 2 with authoritative drives.

In Race 1, he posted a time of 20:13.369, withstanding a strong charge from MSport’s Dhruvh Goswami. Dark Don Racing teammate Aditya Patnaik followed in third. Race 2, briefly interrupted and red-flagged due to an on-track incident, was restarted and contested over seven laps, where Agarwal again took the chequered flag ahead of Goswami and Diljith T S.

Provisional Results – Race 1:

1. Mehul Agarwal (Dark Don Racing) – 20:13.369
2. Dhruvh Goswami (MSport) – 20:17.203
3. Aditya Patnaik (Dark Don Racing) – 20:17.538

Provisional Results – Race 2:

1. Mehul Agarwal (Dark Don Racing) – 18:01.251
2. Dhruvh Goswami (MSport) – 18:05.480
3. Diljith T S (Dark Don Racing) – 18:06.376

The Rising Trajectory of Indian Motorsport

Commenting on the festival’s growing momentum, Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL), expressed optimism about India’s motorsport journey.

“It’s been an incredible journey — what we had initially envisioned for year six or seven, we’ve been fortunate to achieve by season four. The response to the Indian Racing League and Formula 4 has far exceeded expectations,” Reddy noted.

He further underscored the transformative potential of urban circuits: “Street racing is undoubtedly a massive logistical challenge, but it’s also the most impactful way to bring the sport closer to people, create awareness, and inspire the next generation to see motorsport as a viable career path.”

Looking Ahead to Day 2

With momentum building across all three premier categories, anticipation is high for Day 2 at Kari Motor Speedway. As the championship races tighten, drivers will aim to consolidate their positions and secure vital points in their respective campaigns. Spectators can expect another day of gripping battles, razor-thin finishes, and top-tier motorsport action in Coimbatore.

About the Indian Racing Festival

The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is a landmark event for motorsport in the country, housing three key championships: the Indian Racing League (IRL), the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC), and the Formula LGB4 under the JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship. The IRL is the only four-wheel racing league in India and the world’s first gender-neutral racing series, built around a city-based franchise model. The Formula 4 championship serves as a stepping stone for young aspirants transitioning from karting to single-seaters, offering global exposure, Super Licence points, and the chance to compete on home soil at international standards.