Indian Racing Festival | Chennai dazzles under lights with action-packed races

Exciting night street race in Chennai sees Hugh Barter dominate Formula 4, Raoul Hyman triumph in IRL.

The city’s ambitious initiative of hosting a night street race started with a blip on Saturday after a nearly eight-hour delay in getting the track ready. However, the organisers of the Indian Racing Festival weekend made it a special Sunday for the drivers and the fans by completing the full card of races despite a crammed programme.

Though the action started an hour later than scheduled on day two, when the lights took over, the metropolis’ dream of hosting a motor race under the night sky turned into a reality.

The on-track drama was exciting, and barring a minor incident during the first Indian Racing League race, the event passed off without hiccups.

Hugh Barter etched his name in history as the first winner of the Formula 4 race held around the streets of Chennai with a lights-to-flag victory to extend his lead in the Formula 4 Indian championship.

The Australian put his car in pole position and showed his dominance, sailing into the distance. Behind him, India’s Ruhaan Alva and Abhay Mohan filled the remaining steps of the podium.

The first F4 race had an early Safety Car on the opening lap when Zakariya Mohammed went off.

Barter controlled the pace when racing resumed, building up a lead of five seconds at the halfway mark, followed by Ruhaan. Behind the top two, Jaden Pariat and Divy Nandan battled hard for the final podium spot.