Chennai, August 21: The MRF Indian National Racing Challenge 4W – 2026 this weekend at the Madras International Circuit will be high on adrenaline and quality as the first round commences on Saturday. Several former National champions and a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Singapore, Kareen Kaur, are among the 56 entries across six categories headlined by the MRF Formula 2000 and the MRF Formula 1600.
Chairman of the Event Vicky Chandhok said: “In some ways, this is a fresh beginning as far as four-wheeler racing is concerned. The grids are quite compact with the highly competitive Formula LGB 1300, as usual, attracting sizable entries totalling 25. We have introduced the Super Touring Cars class which exemplifies speed and power after modifications, and which usually dish out exciting racing.
“Having said that, it augurs well for Indian racing that many drivers, still in their teens, are competing and hopefully, this number keeps increasing as the season progresses. Finally, we welcome all the stakeholders, including the competitors and the title sponsor MRF Tyres who have been very supportive. We at MMSC have put together a package that provides for safe and quality races as we look forward to an exciting race weekend.”
The two MRF Formula categories boast of familiar names. Of particular interest in the MRF F2000 class is Kareen Kaur who last year became first female driver from South-Asia to score points in a FIA Formula 4 race. Also in 2025, she was third in the ROK Singapore karting championship and followed it up with a fourth-place finish in the ROK Asia Championship which gained her much recognition. Her performance here will be watched keenly as she will be up against some experienced and older drivers, including Raghul Rangasamy from Mamallapuram, a former National champion in this class.
The MRF 1600 also has a female driver, 20-year-old Priyanka Vijay from Bengaluru and a repeat entrant. She will have to contend with a clutch of teenagers hoping to make a mark.
As is to be expected, the saloon cars – Indian Super Touring, Super Stock and Volkswagen Polo Cup – will draw much attention, given that the three classes are to be run on a combined grid of 17.
Arjun Narendran from Coimbatore, a four times National champion, returns to racing after a few years. He will be taking part in the Indian Super Touring Cars class for Arka Motorsports who are also fielding former National Rally champion Karna Kadur, also in the IST category. Chennai ace Ritesh Rai (Buzzing Hornet Motorsports) is another driver to be watched. The Super Stock class features a lone female driver, Deepa S John (DTS Racing) from Thiruvananthapuram.
The Formula LGB 1300 grid presents a mix of youth and experience, besides being extremely competitive and as always attracting a large number of entries. In the fray is 24-year-old Saurika Livindu from Colombo who recently won the Formula 1300 race at the 2026 Mighty Mini Castrol Grand Prix in Sri Lanka. The 25-car field is bound to dish out plenty of wheel-to-wheel racing that has been a trademark of this class.
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