Tag: Street Racing India

Sports

Indian Racing Festival Makes Goa Debut with High-Octane Formula Street Race Weekend

Tanisha Cardozo

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.

Events in Goa

Goa to Host World-Class IRF Street Race Weekend at Mopa

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, 9 February: Goa is all set to script a landmark chapter in Indian motorsport with the hosting of the IRF Goa Street Race Weekend, a world-class street racing spectacle that will bring high-adrenaline motorsport action to the state.


Highlighting Goa’s suitability as a host destination, Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman of Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL) and Indian Racing Festival (IRF), said the state’s vibrant culture, strong tourism infrastructure and global recognition make it ideal for an event of this scale. He noted that Goa’s cosmopolitan character, excellent connectivity and year-round appeal allow elite motorsport to merge seamlessly with lifestyle and tourism experiences, placing the state firmly on the global sporting calendar.

Reddy, who has been closely involved in the planning of the event, explained the complexity of converting public roads into a professional racing venue. The Goa Street Circuit at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, spans 2.064 kilometres and features 12 turns. Designed in collaboration with technical partners and FIA-standard safety consultants, the circuit has been engineered to meet international racing benchmarks while ensuring optimal spectator experience.

Speaking on the broader significance, Reddy said the IRF Goa Street Race Weekend positions Goa alongside iconic global street-racing destinations. He described the event as a statement of India’s readiness to host international-standard motorsport while reinforcing Goa’s ability to deliver world-class sporting spectacles with global visibility.

The race weekend is expected to generate significant economic and tourism benefits, with increased activity across hotels, transport services, food and beverage outlets and local businesses. Global broadcast exposure is also expected to further strengthen Goa’s brand value as a destination for major sporting and entertainment events.

Emphasising safety, Reddy stated that the circuit has been developed with FIA-standard temporary infrastructure, including reinforced barriers, advanced crash protection systems, dedicated medical and rescue teams, and comprehensive safety protocols. Rigorous pre-event testing and continuous monitoring during race days will ensure the highest safety standards for drivers, teams and spectators.

Reddy also acknowledged the proactive support of the Goa government and local authorities, stating that seamless coordination in planning, permissions and infrastructure made the temporary street circuit at Mopa possible.

Spectators can expect close-quarters racing, strategic overtaking zones and a festival-like atmosphere, with fan engagement activities, merchandise and food and beverage experiences complementing the on-track action. IRF has expressed its intent to make the Goa Street Race a recurring fixture, positioning Goa as a long-term cornerstone of India’s motorsport calendar.