Ruhaan Alva draws first blood in IRL 2023; Sarah Moore wins Race 2

Second edition of Indian Racing League begins at MIC amidst rains

The Indian Racing Festival featured the 2nd edition of Indian Racing League and the 1st edition of F4 Indian Championship, promoted by Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL). Ruhaan Alva and Sarah Moore shared honours in the first round of the IRL 2023 which concluded at the Madras International Circuit on Nov 5.

Akshay Bohra won the first-ever F4 championship in India and it was a double for Cooper Webster. Rain drenched the track on both the days in the second half.

Indian Racing League

Race 1, the season opener saw Indian driver Ruhaan Alva from Godspeed Kochi on the pole followed by Goa Aces driver Raoul Hyman from United Kingdom. The 20-min plus one lap race which was the final race of Day 1 had to be rescheduled to Day 2 due to heavy showers and water logging on the track and even the quality of light deteriorated.

Thus it was the first race of the final day held under good sunny conditions. It was a very clean race till the second corner. Ruhaan Alva took the lead and in the first corner, Jon Lancaster, who was third on the grid, managed to go past Hyman to take the second spot. But after C2, there was collusion in the backpack. Akhil Rabindra trying to break away from the backpack, hit Alister Yoong's tail, and both slid away from the track on either side. Mohd Ryan was also caught in the melee and he crawled out at C3.

Akash Gowda from Speed Demons Delhi had to pull out in the very next corner due to mechanical failure.