Coimbatore, Oct 2024 – Chennai Turbo Riders delivered another stunning performance at the Indian Racing League (IRL) 2024, securing their fourth win of the season during Round 4 at the Kari Motor Speedway. Their key driver, John Lancaster, a seasoned British racer, played a pivotal role in their victory, battling intense competition and unexpected challenges to clinch the win.
John Lancaster, at 39, has demonstrated his racing expertise by outpacing Black Birds Hyderabad’s Neel Jani, a former Formula 1 test driver, to grab the top spot on the podium. Jani, back after missing two rounds, initially led the race from pole position but faced an issue mid-race when his car got stuck in gear. Lancaster took full advantage of this situation and established a commanding eight-second lead early on. Despite Jani’s efforts to regain control and challenge Lancaster later in the race, the British racer displayed exceptional skill, holding on to his lead and crossing the finish line first.
Lancaster shared after the race, “We made significant adjustments to the car, and it’s paying off. It’s a big win for the team.”
Neel Jani had to settle for second place, followed closely by Goa Aces JA Race’s Sohil Shah, who came in third. Shah, one of India’s rising racing stars, maintained a steady pace throughout the race to finish in P3.
Akeel Alibhai Dominates Formula 4 Indian Open with Third Win
In the Formula 4 Indian Open race, South African racer Akeel Alibhai, representing Black Birds Hyderabad, showcased his dominance by claiming his third win of the season. Alibhai, starting from second on the grid, made a bold move at Turn 1 to overtake pole-sitter Ruhaan Alva of Shrachi Rar Royal Bengal Tigers and never looked back.
On the tight 2.2 km Kari Motor Speedway, known for its challenging layout and limited overtaking spots, Alibhai quickly built up a lead. Alva, a teenager from Bengaluru, fought hard to keep his position but eventually had to focus on defending second place from Jayden Parriat of Bangalore Speedsters, who finished third. Despite the pressure, Alva held on to P2, while Parriat completed the podium in P3.
The race saw two safety car interruptions, making it even more intense for the drivers, but Alibhai stayed calm and collected, securing the best lap time as well.
“I overtook Ruhaan at Turn 1 and focused on keeping the lead. It was a great race for me,” Alibhai said, visibly pleased with his performance.
Diljit TS Takes Advantage to Win JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship
In the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship’s LGB Formula 4 race, veteran driver Diljit TS from Thrissur capitalized on a mistake by his teammate Tijil Rao. Tijil, who had been comfortably leading, lost his edge while navigating around a backmarker, allowing Diljit to slip ahead and take the win. Dhruv Goswami of MSport finished second, while Tijil made a recovery to grab third place.
Diljit’s smart driving and quick reaction earned him a well-deserved win in this competitive race. Tijil, who had shown great form throughout the race, will surely be looking for redemption in future rounds.
Other Key Results
In the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup, Yogesh P from Bengaluru claimed the top spot in the 10-lap race, with a time of 13 minutes and 42 seconds. Johring Warisa from Umrangso followed in second, while Mangaluru’s Johansson Saldanha secured third place.
These races are part of a thrilling weekend of motorsport action at the Kari Motor Speedway, showcasing both national and international talent across various categories. With the Indian Racing League continuing to heat up, all eyes are on the next rounds as teams and drivers fight for dominance on the track.
