The Indian Racing Festival is set to break new ground this February with its first-ever Goa edition, transforming the state into a motorsport hub for a high-octane Formula Street Race Weekend. Scheduled for February 14 and 15, 2026, the event will see Round 4 of the Indian Racing League unfold at Manohar International Airport, marking a significant milestone in the festival’s rapid rise. The races will be broadcast on Star Sports Select 2 and streamed live on JioHotstar, ensuring nationwide visibility.
At the centre of the spectacle is a specially designed FIA-grade street circuit measuring 2.064 kilometres. Carved into the expansive airport layout, the track features 12 challenging turns designed to promote close racing, late braking, and constant position battles, setting the stage for an intense and unpredictable weekend.
The Goa Street Race comes at a crucial point in the championship, with only narrow margins separating the leading teams. Every lap around the Goa circuit is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the title fight. All teams will compete in identical Ligier JS F422 cars powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged Alpine engine, ensuring that driver skill, strategy, and consistency take precedence over raw speed.
A defining feature of the Indian Racing League is its inclusive team structure. Each team fields four drivers comprising an experienced international racer, an emerging global talent, an Indian driver, and a female competitor. This format is aimed at raising competitive standards while nurturing Indian talent and promoting gender representation at the highest level of circuit racing in the country.
Among the drivers to watch in Goa is Divy Nandan of Hyderabad Black Birds, who arrives with experience in British F4 and GB3, along with a pole position at the Chennai Street Race during the 2024 F4 India Championship. Chennai Turbo Riders will rely on reigning Formula 4 India champion Aqil Alibhai, who brings African representation to the grid, reflecting the series’ growing international footprint. Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru will look to Ruhaan Alva, the youngest race winner in IRL history and one of India’s most promising racing prospects.
European experience is led by Tom Canning of Kolkata Royal Tigers, a British GT champion and Aston Martin Academy graduate, alongside Jemma Moore, who brings GT4 and endurance racing pedigree. Adding star power off the track is an impressive roster of team owners from sport and cinema, including John Abraham with Goa Aces JA Racing, Arjun Kapoor with Speed Demons Delhi, Sourav Ganguly with Kolkata Royal Tigers, Naga Chaitanya with Hyderabad Black Birds, and Kichcha Sudeep with Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru.
Beyond championship points and podium finishes, the Goa Street Race represents a statement of intent for the Indian Racing Festival. By bringing street racing to one of India’s most recognisable destinations, the festival signals its ambition to blend elite motorsport with spectacle and accessibility, positioning racing as both a sporting and cultural experience.
Tickets for the historic Goa Street Race are available on the District by Zomato app and website. Promoted by Racing Promotions Private Limited, the Indian Racing Festival continues to expand the reach of motorsport in India, following successful street races in Chennai and Hyderabad, while maintaining high standards of safety, operations, and fan engagement.
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