Chennai’s ambitious venture into hosting a night street race kicked off with a slight hitch on Saturday, experiencing a nearly eight-hour delay in preparing the track. However, the organizers of the Indian Racing Festival weekend turned Sunday into a memorable occasion for both drivers and fans, successfully completing the full race schedule despite a compressed program.
While the action on day two commenced an hour behind schedule, the city’s dream of hosting a motor race under the night sky became a reality when the lights illuminated the track. The on-track drama was exhilarating, and with the exception of a minor incident during the first Indian Racing League (IRL) race, the event proceeded without any major disruptions.
Hugh Barter etched his name in the history books as the first winner of the Formula 4 race held on the streets of Chennai, securing a lights-to-flag victory and extending his lead in the Formula 4 Indian championship. The Australian driver, starting from pole position, dominated the race, leaving his competitors in his wake. India’s Ruhaan Alva and Abhay Mohan followed closely behind, filling the remaining podium positions.
The first F4 race saw an early Safety Car deployment on the opening lap after Zakariya Mohammed went off track. Barter maintained control of the race pace upon the restart, building a five-second lead by the halfway mark, followed closely by Ruhaan. Behind the top two, Jaden Pariat and Divy Nandan engaged in a fierce battle for the final podium spot. Pariat executed a decisive overtake into turn-1, claiming third place from Nandan on the sixth lap. However, on lap 10, Pariat ran wide in the final corner at turn-19, which caught out Nandan, who clipped Pariat’s car and allowed Abhay to secure a podium finish. The race was eventually red-flagged with three minutes remaining.
In the second F4 race, Barter, starting from last after a crash during the second qualifying session, charged through the field, advancing from 16th to fifth position in just four laps. The Australian driver was on course for victory but ran wide while pursuing Ruhaan, slipping to eighth before ultimately settling for fifth place.
Meanwhile, the first IRL race featured some spectacular wheel-to-wheel racing. However, the most memorable moment of the race occurred when a canine strayed onto the circuit, leading to a brief suspension. Once racing resumed, leader Raoul Hyman expertly controlled the proceedings, becoming the first IRL winner at the Chennai street circuit. However, the battle for second, third, and fourth place between pole-sitter Gabriela Jilkova, Jon Lancaster, and Alister Yoong kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Lancaster retired after a collision with Gabriela’s rear tire, while Gabriela, despite minor damage to her car, steered it past the finish line, securing second place ahead of Yoong.
The second IRL race concluded the weekend with another thrilling battle for the top spot. Aqil Alobhai of South Africa emerged victorious, taking a well-deserved win ahead of two Indian drivers, Sohil Shah and Rishon Rajeev.
While Saturday’s delays highlighted the challenges inherent in organizing a street race of this magnitude, Sunday’s success showcased the city’s ability to rise to the occasion when things fall into place. The sight of fast cars zooming past Chennai’s iconic landmarks, with drivers pushing the limits of their abilities, was a spectacle to behold, a moment that will forever be etched into the city’s racing history.
Race Results:
*
Formula 4 (Race-1):
1. Hugh Barter (Australia) 19m:42.952s; 2. Ruhaan Alva +7.299; 3. Abhay Mohan +26.069.*
Formula 4 (Race-2):
1. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa) 30:03.445; 2. Divy Nandan +0.259; 3. Jaden Pariat +0.968.*
JK FLGB (Race-1):
1. T.S. Diljith (Dark Don) 11:48.827; 2. Neythan McPherson (Momentum) +0.146; 3. Tijil Rao (Dark Don) +1.973.*
JK FLGB (Race-2):
1. Tijil Rao 27:03.653; 2. T.S. Diljith +0.311; 3. Neythan McPherson (Momentum) +0.749.*
IRL Race-1:
1. Raoul Hyman (Goa Aces JA Racing); 2. Gabriela Jilkova (Goa Aces JA Racing); 3. Alister Yoong (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) (timings not provided).*
