Racing Extravaganza in India: 2025 Indian Racing Festival Beginning - Comprehensive Schedule, Squads, and Pilots Revealed
The Indian Racing Festival 2025 (IRF) has kicked off, marking a significant milestone in the country's motorsport scene. The festival, spanning five race weekends across five different cities, aims to elevate motorsport in India and provide a platform for homegrown talent to shine.
The season-opening round is taking place at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore on August 16-17. This will be followed by the second race weekend at the Madras International Circuit, Chennai from August 22-24. A third race weekend will also return to the Kari Motor Speedway from October 3-5.
The IRF brings together some of India's biggest racing championships, including the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4 India). This championship stands out as a gateway for young racers aiming to progress to global FIA championships. The F4 India is part of the IRF, allowing drivers to earn FIA Super Licence points.
In addition to F4 India, the Indian Racing League (IRL) is another championship that forms part of the IRF. This six-city franchise-based racing series consists of teams representing major Indian cities - Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Each team has signed four drivers through a draft, ensuring a balanced mix of Indian and international talent.
Organisers of the IRF have hinted at the inclusion of new locations for rounds 4 and 5 to make the series more accessible to fans across the country. However, the venue for round 4, taking place from October 31-November 2, has yet to be determined.
The JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship, running since 1997, is another championship that forms part of the IRF. This championship features 21 Indian drivers, making it the backbone of India's motorsport ecosystem.
Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of Racing Promotion Pvt Ltd (RPPL), stated that Coimbatore is a key pillar of Indian motorsport and is supported at every level, from grassroots karting to professional racing. The IRF, with its city-based racing teams, international drivers, FIA-certified championships, and India's longest-running racing series, aims to raise the bar for motorsport in the country and build a motorsport culture in India.
