Where airport turns racing venue: Spotlight on India’s Biggest Street Race in Goa

The Indian Racing Festival is set to make history this February by bringing high-speed street racing to Goa for the first time. With top drivers, celebrity-backed teams, and a custom-built circuit, the event marks a major leap for Indian motorsport

What Is the Indian Racing Festival’s Goa Street Race?

The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) will host its first-ever Goa edition on February 14 and 15 at Manohar International Airport. The event will feature Round 4 of the Indian Racing League (IRL), turning the airport grounds into a professional racing venue.

At the centre of the weekend is a specially designed FIA-grade street circuit measuring 2.064 kilometres, with 12 sharp turns. Built within the airport’s expansive layout, the track is intended to promote close competition, late braking, and constant overtaking opportunities.

With championship standings tightly contested, the Goa round is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the title race, where even minor mistakes could have major consequences.

How the Racing Format Works?

All teams in the Indian Racing League compete in identical Ligier JS F422 cars powered by 1.3-litre turbocharged Alpine engines. This “spec racing” format ensures that no team has a mechanical advantage, placing the spotlight on driver skill, teamwork, and race strategy.

A unique feature of the league is its inclusive team structure. Each team fields four drivers: an experienced international racer, a rising global talent, an Indian driver, and a female competitor. This model aims to promote diversity, develop local talent, and strengthen India’s presence in global motorsport.

The combination of equal machinery and a narrow street circuit is expected to deliver intense wheel-to-wheel battles throughout the weekend.

Star Drivers, Celebrity Teams, and Why It Matters?

Several high-profile drivers will headline the Goa round. Divy Nandan of Hyderabad Black Birds brings international experience from GB3 and British F4. Chennai Turbo Riders will rely on Formula 4 India champion Aqil Alibhai, while Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru will look to young star Ruhaan Alva, one of India’s most promising racers.

European expertise comes from Tom Canning of Kolkata Royal Tigers and Jemma Moore, both known for their success in GT and endurance racing.

The league also features prominent team owners from sports and entertainment. John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Sourav Ganguly, Naga Chaitanya, and Kichcha Sudeep are among the major names backing teams, adding mainstream appeal to the event.

Beyond competition, the Goa Street Race reflects IRF’s ambition to blend elite motorsport with tourism, entertainment, and accessibility. By hosting a street race in a popular destination, the festival aims to bring racing closer to the public.

The races will be broadcast on Star Sports Select 2 and streamed on JioHotstar, while tickets are available via the District by Zomato platform.

(With inputs from ANI)