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Vol. XXXIV No. 11, September 16-30, 2024
Night racing comes to Chennai
-- by S.R. Suryanarayanan
Talk of motor racing and instantly come memories of Sholavaram for old timers and then the Madras International circuit in Irungattukottai for the fans in relatively recent times. They say Chennai has a distinct tennis culture. Sure enough it also has a motor sport love that is something to be seen. No wonder then that even the announcement of Chennai hosting India’s and South Asia’s first ever night street racing was received with much expectations and longing. Not surprisingly then the actual event held the fans in thrall. With the Tamil Nadu government giving it a big support, the event which was part of the Indian Racing Festival certainly ensured Chennai got into the international racing map.
From the press conference for the announcement of the first-ever night race at Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, in Chennai on July 29. Picture courtesy: The Hindu.
Imagine roaring vehicles speeding past at 200 km and around on city roads specially converted to become racing strips! It must be said that way Chennai had a topography which enabled the organisers to cull out the required circuit without much difficulty. The 3.5 km stretch featuring 19 turns with the historic Napier Bridge and War Memorial around, it could not have been more picturesque. Only the settings needed lot of careful and professional handling. Perhaps that was where focus came to initially when the first day of the two-day event suffered a few glitches or shall we say teething issues. Indeed as they say, it is always possible for a well-intended plan to at times go awry and that is what unfortunately happened for what was a long awaited event. Some hold up but amply made up next day and sure enough none of the fans missed anything in the end. Hopefully such events will give a boost to this sport, seemed the refrain of some elderly fans who had sacrificed sleep to make sure they did not miss the action.
Indeed, there was plenty of action from the drivers, both men and women, on the track. The evening racing agenda included a mix of Formula-4, J K Tyre national championship and the Indian Racing League and barring a minor incident in the IRL everything went off without any hiccup. Perhaps the last word on this quite appropriately came from the Formula 4 Race one winner Hugh Barter of Australia who was quoted saying that the Chennai Track reminded him of the Monaco street circuit. There could not have been a bigger compliment for, race lovers will vouch Monaco is the foremost name in the Formula 1 race circuit.
For the city of Chennai then this is another moment to rejoice. Chess world championship, Chess Olympiad, SAF Games, Nehru trophy international football tournament among others had already been landmark occasions earlier and this FIA certified International Night racing has added another glowing chapter to the city’s sports history.
For the record the winners of the Chennai round: Formula 4 Race 1: Hugh Barter (Australia); Race 2: Aqil Alibhai (South Africa); JK national: Race 1: T.S. Diljith (Dark Don); Race 2: Tijil Rao ; IRL: Race1: Raoul Hyman (Goa Aces); Race 2: Alvaro Parente (Speed Demons Delhi).
