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Draft:Madras International Karting Arena

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Madras International Karting Arena, nicknamed as MIKA, is a CIK FIA homologated karting track adjacent to the Madras International Circuit grand stand, at Irungattukottai, Sripreumbudur, about 40 km from Chennai.[1][2][3] It is India’s first CIK FIA approved track.[4][5] MIKA was inaugurated by double world champion Mika Häkkinen on 19 September 2024,[6][7] along with India's two Formula 1 drivers, Narain Karkthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.[8] Later, the trio did five laps on the new track on electric karts.[9][10][11] Also the F1 drivers, led 34 drivers, which included many karting national champions and some budding youngseters, on another three laps.[12]

The 1.2 km track is designed by UK based company, Driven International, who also designed the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit, the street circuit that hosted the country’s first Indian F4 night race.[13][14] India’s first Formula 1 driver, Narain Karthikeyan, along with Karun Chandhok, who joined the elite club of F1 drivers from India, will be present during the inauguration. Madras Motor Sports Club, which owns the Madras International Circuit, where the Indian National Racing Championships for both two wheelers and four wheelers are held every years, also owns the karting arena.

Karun Chandhok played a key role in developing he track as a consultant to Driven International, for which he collaborated in many other projects.[5][15] MMSC has spent around Rs.16 crore to construct the karting track.[16] The track has floodlights, a race control cabin and holding are for charging electric karts.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Kishore, Hari (2024-09-20). "Former F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen inaugurates state-of-the-art karting track in Chennai". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  2. ^ "Ianslive". ianslive.in. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  3. ^ "Former F1 Champion Mika Hakkinen Inaugurates India's First CIK-Certified Karting Circuit Near Chennai | Formula 1 News". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  4. ^ Ragav, S. Dipak (2024-08-27). "Mika to inaugurate MIKA: Chennai to get state-of-the-art karting facility". Sportstar. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  5. ^ a b "Twice F1 World champion Mika Hakkinen to inaugurate MIKA track at MIC".
  6. ^ Santhosh Kumar, C. (2024-06-15). "New jewel in MMSC crown; Madras International Karting Arena set for September opening". Deccan Chronicle. p. 12.
  7. ^ https://www.business-standard.com/sports/other-sports-news/f1-legend-mika-hakkinen-opens-karting-track-in-chennai-124091901270_1.html
  8. ^ https://www.motorsport.com/search/?q=Madras+International+Karting+Arena
  9. ^ "F1 Great Mika Hakkinen to Inaugurate Karting Track at Madras International Circuit". News18. 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  10. ^ S, Hemkesh (2024-09-20). "F1 legend Mika inaugurates India's first international karting track MIKA". www.dtnext.in. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  11. ^ Agrawal, Prashant (2024-09-20). "Mika Hakkinen inaugurates MIKA - India's newest karting track". Evo India. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  12. ^ "F1 legend Mika Hakkinen opens karting track in Chennai". The Week. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  13. ^ "F1 Legend Mika Hakkinen To Inaugurate Karting Track At Madras International Arena". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  14. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  15. ^ "Мика Хаккинен в Индии открыл картодром MIKA". www.f1news.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  16. ^ Bureau, Sports (2024-01-20). "MOTORSPORTS | New karting track at Sriperumbudur to be opened later this year". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-09-16. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ Gidithuri, Unnatee. "Madras International Karting Arena inaugurated by F1 champion Mika Hakkinen". Autocar India. Retrieved 2024-09-20.

Category:Motorsport venues in Tamil Nadu Category:Sports venues in Chennai Category:Motorsport venues in India