Navi Mumbai to host Maharashtra’s first Formula night street race in December

A Formula night street race is a motorsport event featuring Formula E or other Formula categories, such as the FIA-certified Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC) and Indian Racing League (IRL). These races are held on temporary street circuits illuminated by artificial lighting. FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) is the governing body of world motorsport.

The Indian Racing Festival brings together various motorsport events such as IRL, National Racing Championship, and F4IC.

The Navi Mumbai race weekend, dates for which are yet to be confirmed, will feature two distinct motorsport events under the Indian Racing Festival umbrella: IRL and F4IC.

During the finale of the Indian Racing Festival, the streets of Navi Mumbai will be transformed into a floodlit racing track. The 3.753-kilometre FIA-grade street circuit will feature 14 turns and run primarily along Palm Beach Road between Vashi and Nerul, including scenic stretches encircling Nerul Lake, offering an engaging backdrop for drivers and spectators.

IRL and F4IC: the difference

IRL is a franchise-based, gender-neutral competition designed for close, entertaining racing with teams owned by Indian celebrities, including John Abraham (Goa Aces) and Sourav Ganguly (Kolkata Royal Tigers). It features powerful Wolf GB08 Thunder single-seater sports prototype cars powered by 1000cc Aprilia RSV4 engines delivering approximately 216-220 bhp, capable of reaching speeds between 240-260 km/h.

In contrast, F4IC is a junior single-seater series designed to develop young driving talent, serving as a stepping stone on the path to higher Formula categories, including Formula 1. It uses second-generation Mygale M21-F4 cars that comply with FIA specifications, powered by Alpine engines with an output ranging from 160 to 180 horsepower.

Safety features such as the Halo cockpit protection system are standard to safeguard drivers. The championship offers valuable FIA Super Licence points, essential for drivers aspiring to progress internationally.

Milestone for Maharashtra: Fadnavis

As Navi Mumbai joins cities such as Hyderabad and Chennai, which have previously hosted street racing events, Chief Minister Fadnavis said the event will mark a milestone for Maharashtra by showcasing its ability to host world-class sports.

“We are proud to bring the Indian Racing Festival to Navi Mumbai. This race is not only a boost for motorsport but also for employment and opportunities in sectors such as engineering, technology, and event management,” he said.

The Palm Beach Road stretch of the circuit, specifically between Vashi and Nerul, will see temporary road closures starting from December 10. All vehicular traffic will be diverted to adjacent routes such as the Sion-Panvel Highway. A dedicated pedestrian shuttle service will be provided between Vashi and Nerul railway stations to facilitate spectator movement and minimise congestion.