National 4-Wheeler Racing Championship Draws 75 Entries Across Categories

Coimbatore – The opening round of the 2025 MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship is all set to begin this Saturday at the newly revamped Kari Motor Speedway, with a total of 75 entries across various racing categories.

The 2.3-kilometre circuit, known for its 16 challenging turns, will host a range of racing formats — from high-speed single-seaters like the MRF F2000, F1600, and Formula LGB 1300, to saloon car races including the Indian Touring Cars (ITC), the newly launched ITC1625, Super Stock, Indian Junior Touring Cars (IJTC), and the popular Volkswagen Polo Cup.

With rain predicted over the weekend, the 15 scheduled races, along with practice and qualifying sessions, are expected to offer an extra dose of excitement.

The MRF Formula categories feature a mix of seasoned racers and rising stars. Chennai’s veteran driver Chetan Korada returns to the MRF F2000 grid, while 16-year-old karting sensation Ishaan Madesh from Bengaluru will be one to watch.

In the MRF F1600 category, Pune’s teenage talent Saishiva Sankaran, who impressed last season with three podiums from six races, will compete alongside Mumbai’s Zahan Commissariat, last year’s championship runner-up, and Bengaluru’s Priyanka Vijay — the only female racer in the category — moving up from Formula LGB 1300.

The Formula LGB 1300 class, known for its thrilling races, has drawn 38 entries across Open and Junior divisions, featuring a mix of experienced racers and fresh talent.

Touring car races will be another major highlight, with Coimbatore’s own Arjun Balu — a multiple national champion in the ITC category — making a comeback after a year’s hiatus. He will drive a Race Concepts-prepped Honda City IVTEC and go head-to-head with defending champion Biren Pithawalla (Team N1) from Mumbai, who will race in a VW Polo.

The newly added ITC1625 class will feature the championship’s oldest participant, 79-year-old Vidyaprakash Damodaran from Coimbatore, competing alongside local veteran Suprej Venkat.

The Super Stock and IJTC classes, known for their fierce competition, also feature several experienced racers, including 27-year-old Deepa John from Thiruvananthapuram, the only woman competitor in the saloon car races.

MMSC President Ajit Thomas welcomed the participants, noting,
“This season is especially exciting with a significant increase in participation from young drivers, many still in their teens. It’s a promising sign for the future of the sport and a testament to the championship’s growing popularity.”

With inputs from IANS