How Chennai Night Race swerved past challenges to zoom toward a brighter motorsports future

The first of its kind in India, the Chennai night street circuit race provided a glimpse into the country’s auto racing future

Snaking through the sprawling Monegasque cityscapes, the Circuit de Monaco is one of auto racing’s most iconic venues, which holds the Monaco Grand Prix annually. Auto racers have zoomed through those narrow streets and along the scenic vistas almost every year since 1929–when the first Monaco GP was held.
The GP is as difficult to organise as it is to contest, yet, for its uniqueness, thrill, and sheer audacity, it is among the most anticipated events of the yearly motoring calendar. There was an unmistakable reminiscence of Monaco in the Chennai night street circuit race, which became the first-of-its-kind motorsports event in India over the weekend of August 30. Australian Hugh Barter, who won the inaugural Formula 4 Indian Championship, even compared the two positively for their similarities.
Organised by Racing Promotions Private Limited, the Chennai night race took place at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, a 3.5-kilometre stretch that circles the Island Grounds and is a step away from the Marina Beach. Over 20,000 fans flocked to the circuit to witness auto-racing action on the days of the races, swayed by the accessibility and the unmatched excitement of watching cars race around familiar surroundings under the glittering night sky.
To witness that kind of support was a vision coming to fruition for RPPL, who, amid constant challenges of every variety, have been working tirelessly to get the event on the docket.

"As we developed the RPPL, our goal was to make motorsports more engaging and accessible to a broader audience in India. We wanted to create an experience that not only brings in new fans but also offers something truly unique and thrilling for the dedicated motorsport community here,” said Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of RPPL, which he co-founded with Abhinandan B, and professional race drivers Armaan Ebrahim and Aditya Patel in 2019, intending to change the Indian motorsports scene.
“The Chennai night street circuit is a perfect example of this vision in action — an electrifying race that showcases the blend of high-octane competition and a vibrant cultural backdrop. Looking ahead, we're excited about how this can transform motorsports in India, bringing even more fans into the fold.”
RPPL and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu had initially conceived the idea of a street circuit in Chennai in 2023. However, the journey was presented with a series of challenges including Cyclone Michaung which derailed the staging plans a year back.
A year later and with the continued support of the state government, the event became a reality. This collaboration between the public and private sectors is a fine example of creating a never-before-seen, memorable weekend of racing in the motoring hub of the country. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin, celebrated the same, bestowing praise on the state’s former Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, under whose administration the race was held.

“Huge applause to Hon’ble [Udhayanidhi Stalin] and the entire [Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu] team for making [Formula 4 Chennai’ a roaring success!” he wrote on social media platform X.
“Building on the victories of [Chess Olympiad], [Chennai Open 2023], [Asian Champions Trophy 2023], [Tamil Nadu International Surf Open 2023], [Squash World Cup 2023] and [Khelo India], Tamil Nadu is blazing a trail in sports excellence. With world-class facilities and strategic investments, we’re not just hosting events—we’re pioneering the future of Indian sports. That’s why Tamil Nadu has a significant presence in India’s Olympic contingent.
“Let’s continue pushing the limits and cement Tamil Nadu’s legacy as the ‘Sports Capital of India’!”
Beyond the fanfare and admiration it garnered, the Chennai night race is a milestone moment for Indian motorsports that could pivot the sport toward a brighter future.
Organisers of sporting events the world over are attempting to concoct the perfect mix of excitement and sensation to capture the attention of younger crowds; some, like Formula 1 through their extremely popular Netflix series, Drive to Survive, have succeeded in doing so. The Chennai night race is a concoction of similar blend, an attempt to capture the attention of the casual fan as much as the hardcore one. For its inaugural year, it looks to have done the job, whetting the appetite for more – for both fans and drivers.
“The night race was an incredible experience from start to finish. Every turn felt exciting, and I could really sense the energy and support from the fans throughout the event,” said young Indian motorist Ruhaan Alva, who is competing across both of the Indian Racing Festival’s championships this season.
“The organization was top-notch, everything ran smoothly, which made it that much more enjoyable for both the drivers and the spectators. I am certainly looking forward to returning here whenever possible,” he concluded.