Latest news with #IndianRacingFestival
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
24 drivers finalised for Indian Racing League 2025 edition
The Indian Racing Festival (IRF), for its 2025 season, held the Driver Draft in Mumbai for the Indian Racing League (IRL). The event finalised 24 drivers across six franchise teams, introducing a structured and inclusive approach to team formation in Indian motorsport. Each franchise selected four drivers, ensuring a mix of experience, national representation, and gender diversity. The grid features international names, such as former Formula 1 test driver and Le Mans winner Neel Jani , British driver Jon Lancaster, and two-time IRL champion Raoul Hyman. On the domestic front, drivers, including Ruhaan Alva, Sai Sanjay, and Sohil Shah were selected, along with female racers such as Caitlin Wood, Fabienne Wohlwend, and Gabriela Jilkova. Franchise owners, including public figures from cinema and sport like Arjun Kapoor, Naga Chaitanya, and Sourav Ganguly, were present at the draft. Akhilesh Reddy, chairman and MD of Racing Promotions (RPPL), said the draft represents a step forward in building a structured, performance-oriented racing league. 'This draft celebrates talent and marks a new foundation for motorsport in India,' he said. The 2025 IRL season, starting in August, will be held across multiple cities and a mix of permanent and street circuits.
India.com
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- India.com
Indian Racing Festival 2025 Flags Off with Historic Driver Draft in Mumbai
The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) 2025 marked a landmark moment for Indian motorsport with the first-ever official Driver Draft of the Indian Racing League (IRL), held at Taj Lands End in Mumbai. This event brought together franchise owners, top league officials, and media, laying the foundation for an exhilarating season ahead. The draft introduced a transparent, structured approach to team building—selecting 24 drivers across six franchises. Each team drafted an international ace, an emerging talent, a domestic star, and a female racer, showcasing IRF's commitment to inclusivity and competitive excellence. Fans can look forward to seasoned racers like Le Mans winner Neel Jani (Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru), two-time IRL champion Raoul Hyman (Goa Aces), and GP2 veteran Jon Lancaster (Hyderabad Blackbirds). Rising Indian talents such as Ruhaan Alva, Sai Sanjay, Sohil Shah, and Akshay Bohra bring fresh energy, while accomplished women drivers like Fabienne Wohlwend and Gabriela Jilkova ensure diverse representation on the grid. The draft was followed by team announcements from celebrity owners—Arjun Kapoor, Naga Chaitanya, John Abraham, Sourav Ganguly, Sudeep Kichcha, and Keerthivasan—who shared their excitement and strategic visions. Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & MD of Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL), stated, 'With this driver draft, we're building a sport for India, by India, with the world watching.' The IRF 2025 season kicks off in August, spanning premier circuits and vibrant street tracks across India. As these franchises head into the championship with balanced, star-studded rosters, Indian motorsport stands poised for a thrilling new chapter.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: After Lord's defeat, Sourav Ganguly makes huge prediction on Ravindra Jadeja's Test future
Ravindra Jadeja (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Following India's narrow loss at Lord's in the third Test against England, former India captain Sourav Ganguly shared his views on the defeat, pointing out the missed opportunity despite the batting depth in the side. He also lauded Ravindra Jadeja for his resilient knock, backed by tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in a tense finish. India suffered one of their most heartbreaking Test defeats in recent times, going down by 22 runs and falling 1-2 behind in the five-match series. Chasing 193, India were in deep trouble at 82/7 before Jadeja launched a fightback with help from Nitish Kumar Reddy, Bumrah, and Siraj. The last two batters faced a combined 84 deliveries but could only add nine runs. Siraj was eventually bowled in unfortunate fashion, ending India's spirited chase. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Speaking during a press event of the 2025 season Indian Racing Festival (IRF) Driver Draft, Ganguly admitted he was 'a little bit disappointed' with India's batting, given their performances earlier in the series. "They should have got this 190, and when you saw Jadeja guts it out and fight and score the runs, the batting quality in this team is absolutely brilliant, and I think they will be more disappointed than I am because it was an opportunity to get 2-1 up in the series against England. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch: 2/3/4 BHK Luxury in Panvel L&T Panvel Enquire Now Undo Two more matches to go. I am sure they have left disappointed not getting 190. Especially with the quality of batsmanship there is in the dressing room. " Lord's museum tour: Cricket's greatest artifacts and the stories behind them Ganguly added that even a small contribution from the top-order could have made the difference in India's favour. "Sad from a team's point of view, but Jadeja has been exceptional. He is going to continue to play for India as long as he bats and performs like this. He has been around for a long time. Almost 80 Test matches and more than 200 one-day games." "And now you can see if batting, bowling, fielding, you know, he's a special player and his batting has really improved over the years with experience and quality. He was actually a top-order batsmen for Saurashtra in his younger days and then became a left-arm spinner. So he has a special player and is a very important part of this team," he concluded. 'Pretty cooked': Ben Stokes after leading England to Epic Lord's triumph During the match, Jadeja also crossed a significant milestone by completing 7,000 international runs. In 361 appearances for India, he has scored 7,018 runs at an average of 33.41, including four centuries and 39 fifties in 302 innings, with a highest score of 175*. In Test cricket, Jadeja has scored 3,697 runs in 83 matches at an average of 36.97, including four hundreds and 26 fifties. His top score of 175* came in this format, which remains his most productive with the bat. So far in this series, he has scored 327 runs in six innings at a staggering average of 109.00, with four fifties and a top score of 89. He is currently the fifth-highest run-scorer in the series. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Kichcha Sudeepa Launches Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru Racing Team in Indian Racing Festival 2025
Kannada star actor Kichcha Sudeep has started a new racing team called Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru (KKB) for the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) 2025. This is a big step for motorsport in South India. Racing League Begins in August The Indian Racing Festival will begin in August 2025. Teams from cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Goa will race on exciting tracks across India. Sudeep's Love for Racing Sudeep said racing is full of energy, just like movies. He wants his team to show the power and passion of Bengaluru and South India. More Stars Join IRF Many other stars also have teams in IRF: John Abraham (Goa) Sourav Ganguly (Kolkata) Naga Chaitanya (Hyderabad) Arjun Kapoor (Delhi) Now, Sudeep joins them to support racing in India. IRF Has Two Main Races Indian Racing League (IRL) – City-based teams, men and women drivers. Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) – For young Indian racers aiming for global careers.
Business Standard
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Superstar Kichcha Sudeepa Acquires Bengaluru Racing Team the Indian Racing Festival -- Launches 'Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru'
PNN New Delhi [India], July 7: India's marquee motorsport league returns this August with 5 high-octane rounds. The Indian Racing Festival (IRF), India's premier city-based motorsport league, has just entered a thrilling new chapter as Kannada megastar Kichcha Sudeepa officially acquires the Bengaluru franchise and launches his racing team: Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru (KKB). This landmark move is more than a business decision -- it's a defining cultural crossover between the silver screen and the speed track, bringing with it the energy and influence of one of South India's most celebrated stars into the high-stakes world of motorsport. A commanding presence on screen, Sudeep now shifts gears to make his mark as an owner, visionary, and sporting ambassador, driving a new era of racing from Karnataka to the national stage. The Indian Racing Festival 2025 kicks off this August, with franchise teams from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa and more battling it out across thrilling street circuits and world-class tracks. Blending fierce competition with high-impact entertainment, the league positions itself as India's first true sports-entertainment spectacle. This season is poised to be the boldest yet -- with an emphasis on regional fanbases, celebrity involvement, and platform-building for homegrown talent. Known for his charismatic performances, iconic dialogues, and a massive pan-India fanbase, Kichcha Sudeepa has long been one of Indian cinema's most respected and influential figures. With films that have broken records and transcended languages, he is not just a movie star -- he is a symbol of Karnataka's cultural strength and storytelling legacy. His entry infuses the Indian Racing Festival with star power, emotional depth, and a cultural identity that resonates far beyond the track. "This is not just another team," said Sudeep. "It's an emotion. Racing, like cinema, is pure adrenaline. It's about timing, control, instinct -- and above all, heart. Kichcha's Kings Bengaluru is my tribute to the spirit of this city, its talent, its grit, and its youth. Motorsport is ready for its mainstream moment in India -- and I'm here to fuel that fire from the South." KKB: A Movement Born in Bengaluru, Driven by Stardom, Built for Speed The synergy is undeniable: cinema creates stars; racing builds heroes. And with KKB, the two worlds collide to inspire a new generation of fans. Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & MD of RPPL, said: "The entry of a superstar like Sudeep into IRF is a game-changer. His name carries legacy, pride, and influence that few can match. With KKB, we now have a team that represents the soul of the South -- grounded, ambitious, and unapologetically passionate. This is what motorsport in India needs." Cinema x Racing: A New Era of Sporting Entertainment The Indian Racing Festival 2025 will feature city-based teams from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, and more -- competing on thrilling street circuits and world-class tracks. With gender-balanced driver lineups, celebrity ownership, and national broadcast reach, IRF is redefining what motorsport can mean in India. A Look at IRF's Twin Engines: Indian Racing League (IRL) - India's first city-based, gender-neutral motorsport championship. FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) - A globally sanctioned series offering Indian drivers a path to international racing careers. Kichcha Sudeepa joins an elite lineup of celebrity owners, including John Abraham (Goa), Sourav Ganguly (Kolkata), Naga Chaitanya (Hyderabad) and Arjun Kapoor (Delhi) -- each contributing their unique influence to turn IRF into a dynamic blend of competition, entertainment, and cultural identity. For more details: Jyotsna Gupta -9899864444
