Chennai’s Formula 4 street race ran on the night of 31 August and 1 September 2024 on a 3.5 km, 19-turn circuit around Island Grounds, making it the first night street race held in India. More than 9,000 spectators watched the main race day, evo India reported. It came after a postponed 2023 date, a court challenge and a last-minute safety licence from the FIA, the world motorsport body.
Two years on, the street circuit has not been used again and its pieces have gone back to being city roads. In September 2026, the new government announced a separate Motor Sports City instead. Here is how the race came about, what it cost the public, and where things stand now.
The circuit and who built it
The plan was launched in August 2023 by the Tamil Nadu government and Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the promoter of the Indian Racing League and the F4 Indian Championship. A PTI report carried by DT Next said the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) would invest ₹42 crore to host the event.
The track, named the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, started at Island Grounds and looped past the Victory War Memorial, Napier Bridge and Fort St George, with the Marina in view. RPPL’s releases describe 19 turns, several chicanes and elevation changes, and say the circuit was built by RPPL with SDAT.
From 2023 postponement to the 2024 race
- December 2023: The first race weekend, planned for 9 and 10 December, was called off after the heavy rain brought by Cyclone Michaung.
- June 2024: The Greater Chennai Corporation asked the state for an extra ₹8.25 crore to re-lay roads on the 3.5 km route to FIA standards, including milling and tar overlays, utility crossings for cables, removal of medians and new signals, DT Next reported. Separate tenders were planned for 18 works.
- 29 August 2024: The Madras High Court declined to stop the race on a public interest petition that sought to restrain SDAT and the private organiser, Bar and Bench reported.
- 31 August 2024: After rain delayed final track work, the FIA granted the circuit a Grade 3 licence on the evening of the first race day. The court had set an 8 pm deadline for the approval. About 5,000 tickets had been sold by then, according to a report on the licence.
What happened on track
Qualifying started slowly because of safety checks, and one Indian Racing League race was red-flagged after a dog ran onto the circuit. Results, as reported by evo India:
| Race | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| F4 Indian Championship, Race 1 | Hugh Barter | Godspeed Kochi |
| F4 Indian Championship, Race 2 | Aqil Alibhai | Black Birds Hyderabad |
| Indian Racing League, Race 1 | Raoul Hyman | Goa Aces |
| Indian Racing League, Race 2 | Sohil Shah | Goa Aces JA Racing |
Supporting JK Formula LGB F4 races were won by Diljith T.S. and Tijil Rao. Eight city-based teams took part in the festival, including a Chennai franchise.
What it meant for residents
For people living around Island Grounds, Anna Salai, Kamarajar Salai and the Fort area, the race meant weeks of road work, closures on race days and diversions for buses. Supporters pointed to the night-time spectacle and global attention; critics pointed to the use of central roads near hospitals and the public money involved. Both arguments were aired in court.
Some of the work done for the race stayed: resurfaced roads on the loop and the utility crossings laid under them. The temporary barriers, pit garages and stands inside Island Grounds were removed after the event.
Where things stand in 2026
We could not find any official announcement of a second Chennai street round after 2024. On 3 September 2026, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay told the Assembly the state would build a Motor Sports City in Chennai designed to host races from Formula 1 down to Formula 4, along with training programmes for young drivers, ThePrint reported. No location, cost or timeline has been released. For now, permanent racing near the city happens at the Madras International Circuit, Irungattukottai.
Quick answers
When was the Chennai Formula 4 night race held?
On 31 August and 1 September 2024, as Round 2 of the Indian Racing Festival.
How long was the street circuit?
3.5 km with 19 turns, around Island Grounds in central Chennai.
How much public money was involved?
The 2023 announcement said SDAT would invest ₹42 crore; the Corporation separately sought ₹8.25 crore for extra road works in 2024.
Will the street race return?
No return date has been announced. The state is now planning a dedicated Motor Sports City instead.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- India gets first-ever night street racing circuit in Chennai (DT Next / PTI)
- Press releases, Indian Racing Festival 2024 (Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd)
- Need Rs 8.25 crore for work done on F4 race track: Chennai Corporation (DT Next)
- Madras High Court refuses to halt Formula 4 night race (Bar and Bench)
- Chennai Street Circuit gets FIA G3 licence (Udayavani)
- 2024 Indian Racing Festival Round 2 race report (evo India)
- Chennai set for new Olympic City, Motor Sports City (ThePrint)
