Chennai, August 30: The inaugural IAME Series India 2026, promoted by RA Motorsports, concluded at the floodlit Madras International Karting Arena in a blaze of spectacular fireworks while the sharp showers that caused a stoppage did not dampen the competitiveness of the fifth and final round which concluded close to midnight on Saturday.
The first-ever day-night competitive karting at the MIKA, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) proved to be challenging, by way of slippery track dotted with water puddles, but the young drivers, especially those in the Mini and Mini Under-10 categories displayed plenty of pluck and courage in countering the conditions. However, the number of laps in Finals in all classes, that were run on resumption, was reduced.
In the process, Chennai’s Kairav Roberson (MSPORT), who topped all the sessions, and Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum Motorsports) emerged Overall winners in the Senior and Junior classes, respectively.
Shiv Neel (NKRA by KKM), son of India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan, from Coimbatore swept to title triumph in the Mini category and little Aruthran Prabhu from Kumaraburam (Kartkrew Motorsports) bagged the title in the Under-10 class.
All the four overall winners received a ticket to participate in the IAME Asia Finals in Macau, scheduled for 11–13 December 2026.
The team titles were won by Kartkrew Motorsports (Seniors and Under-10), Momentum Motorsports (Juniors) and NKRA by KKM (Mini).
Kairav Roberson comfortably won the Super Heat and along with it, the title in the class. Later, he topped the Finals too without much of a challenge.
Rehan Khan Rasheed effectively sealed the title in the Junior class when he finished second behind Pune’s Abhishikt Barse (Crest Motorsports) in the Super Heat. Later, after the rains, Rehan drove impeccably in the wet for a brilliant win in the Finals.
The Juniors were first out after proceedings resumed following a lengthy stoppage due to rains. The slippery tarmac tested the drivers, a few of whom slid and spun, but not Rehan who kept his composure for a handsome win.
Shiv Neel had to work hard for his Overall title in the Mini class. He edged out Rudra Gokulnath by the proverbial whisker in the Super Heat to extend his points advantage going into the Finals. Rudra avenged the loss in the Finals, but Shiv Neel picked up sufficient points by finishing second and with that the title.
In contrast, Aruthran Prabhu sealed the title in the Under-10 class though finishing second behind Ayansh Patil in the Super Heat. The P2 finish saw Aruthran taking an unassailable lead over Ayansh ahead of the Finals. Aruthran was in a league of his own in the Finals as he won virtually unchallenged in his class.
Provisional results:
IAME X30 – 125cc Seniors (Finals, 8 laps): 1. Kairav Roberson (Chennai, MSPORT) (08mins, 16.115secs); 2. Vansh Benani (Bahrain, Kartkrew Motorsports) (08:59.062); 3. VV Viswajit (Chennai, Kartkrew Motorsports) (09:09.842). Super Heat (14 laps): 1. Kairav Roberson (Chennai, MSPORT) (11:41.664); 2. Jaden Hadriel (Coimbatore, MSPORT) (12:04.984); 3. Vansh Benani (Bahrain, Kartkrew Motorsports) (12:06.116).
Juniors (Finals, 8 laps): 1. Rehan Khan Rasheed (Chenna, Momentum Motorsports) (08:48.336); 2. Abhishikt Barse (Pune, Crest Motorsports) (08:57.420); 3. Adithya Prathap (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (09:17.334). Super Heat (12 laps): 1. Abhishikt Barse (Pune, Crest Motorsports) (10:13.092); 2. Yashvinraam Rajamanickam (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (10:20.418); 3. Rehan Khan Rasheed (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (10:21.017).
IAME X30 – 60cc Mini Class (Finals, 6 laps): 1. Rudra Gokulnath (UK, NKRK by KKM) (06:50.889); 2. Shiv Neel (Coimbatore, NKRA by KKM) (06:51.738); 3. Ridhaan Anil Kumarr (Bengaluru, Red Rabbit Racers) (07:12.822). Super Heat (9 laps): 1. Shiv Neel (Coimbatore, NKRA by KKM) (08:20.451); 2. Rudra Gokulnath (UK, NKRA by KKM) (08:20.474); 3. Ridhaan Anil Kumarr (Bengaluru, Red Rabbit Racers) (08:26.484).
Mini Under-10 (Finals, 6 laps): 1. Aruthran Prabhu (Kumaraburam, Katkrew Motorsports) (07:07.114); 2. Ayansh Patil (Kolhapur, MSPORT) (07:29.061); 3. Abdur Rehman (Chennai, Momentum Motorsports) (07:43.208). Super Heat (9 laps): 1. Ayansh Patil (Kolhapur, MSPORT) (08:25.730); 2. Aruthran Prabhu (Kumaraburam, Kartkrew Motorsports) (08:30.493); 3. Guru Tharun (Coimbatore, Kartkrew Motorsports) (08:31.356).
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About IAME Series:
Founded in 1968, IAME (Italian American Motor Engineering) is a world leader in high-performance kart racing engines. The IAME Series is an internationally standardized championship format organized globally, now including India alongside regions such as the UAE, Sri Lanka, Morocco, and Europe.
With 60 world titles, numerous international victories, and a long history of young talents who became world champions powered by its engines, IAME stands among the global leaders in karting. Tradition and innovation combine in the development of high-performance engines for karting categories worldwide. IAME also plays a major role in sporting promotion through its national and international racing activities, further strengthening its commitment to nurturing the next generation of drivers.
The Series has been designed with a simple and transparent philosophy: performance equality, controlled operating costs, and fair competition. To ensure technical parity and fairness, RA Motorsports has invested in a limited pool of IAME X30 engines across all categories to maintain performance equality and controlled operating costs. For more details, please visit:
https://www.iameseries.in/index.php
https://www.iamekarting.com/series/
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Anand Philar
AP Media Communications
Bengaluru
INDIA
Mobile: +91-94835-48185
