Exciting Start to Indian Racing Festival 2026 at Kari Motor Speedway

The Indian Racing Festival 2026 launched at Kari Motor Speedway, featuring the F4 Indian Championship's opening round. Aris Kyriakou emerged as a key performer, securing two second-place finishes and a race victory. The weekend showcased intense competition, with seven different drivers making it to the podium across three races. Upcoming rounds promise more excitement as drivers vie for crucial championship points. Read on for detailed highlights and standout moments from this thrilling racing event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 13, 2026, 20:35 IST

Thrilling Kickoff for the Indian Racing Festival

The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) 2026 commenced with an exhilarating atmosphere at the Kari Motor Speedway (KMS) in Coimbatore. The opening round of the F4 Indian Championship, a key event of the festival, featured three intense races showcasing fierce competition for the top spots.

Kyriakou Shines in Round 1

Aris Kyriakou stood out as the star performer of the weekend, achieving two second-place finishes along with a victory in Race 3. His impressive performance highlighted the competitive nature of the championship, which saw seven different drivers on the podium throughout the three races.

Upcoming Challenges at Kari Motor Speedway

The F4 Indian Championship will continue at Kari Motor Speedway for Round 2, providing drivers another chance to earn vital championship points before the season progresses to other venues.

Highlights from Race Weekend

Saturday: Sambudla and Mehta Steal the Show

On Saturday, South African driver Luviwe Sambudla captured attention by defying expectations. Starting from eighth position with Goa Aces JA Racing, he quickly moved up the ranks, securing a podium spot within the first four laps. Despite a mid-race safety car that threatened his lead, Sambudla finished first in 31 minutes and 05.808 seconds, beating Kyriakou by 2.245 seconds, with Aaron Mehta in third place.

Before this, Mehta, a fifteen-year-old from Singapore racing for Kolkata Royal Tigers, made history by achieving pole position with a lap time of 1:05.652, becoming the youngest driver to do so in the championship. Although he couldn't maintain his lead throughout the race and finished third, his debut performance was commendable.

Sunday: A Young Champion and a Seasoned Winner

Sunday saw another fifteen-year-old, Aryan Narola from Goa Aces JA Racing, triumph in Race 2 after starting from pole. He successfully defended against Kyriakou's pressure over 26 laps, finishing just 0.624 seconds ahead. Kyriakou and Swarnav Das completed the podium.

Kyriakou, however, was the most consistent driver of the weekend. He started from pole for the third race and managed to fend off strong competition from Mahlori Mabunda, ultimately finishing first. Mehta secured third place, while Sambudla, the winner of Race 1, finished fourth.

Mabunda, who showed potential for victory, faced challenges due to dirty air affecting his performance. The race also experienced chaos as leaders lapped slower cars, leading to a yellow flag situation when Ntiyiso Mabunda halted on the last lap. This incident allowed Mehta to capitalize and claim third place.

Round 1 showcased seven different drivers on the podium, but Kyriakou's performance places him in a strong position as the series heads into its second round at the same venue.