Racing Promotions Pvt. Ltd. (RPPL) is set to take the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) into a new season of competitive motorsport with the F4 Indian Championship flagging off its 2026 campaign at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore on September 12-13.

The season will feature six rounds of F4 and four rounds of the Indian Racing League (IRL) across key racing destinations in India, culminating in a landmark street-racing debut at the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit in December.

The FIA-certified F4 Indian Championship will travel through Coimbatore with the finale in Navi Mumbai, providing a platform for the next generation of single-seater drivers to compete at home while gaining valuable race experience and Super Licence points. The 2026 grid will feature drivers representing eight nationalities, competing across eight teams.

The Indian Racing League will join the action in October with its four-round campaign beginning at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on October 24-25.

The six teams competing in the 2026 Indian Racing League season are Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru, owned by Kichcha Sudeep; Goa Aces JA Racing, owned by John Abraham; Kolkata Royal Tigers, led by Sourav Ganguly; Hyderabad Blackbirds, owned by Naga Chaitanya; Speed Demons Delhi, backed by Arjun Kapoor; and Chennai Turbo Riders, representing the city under the ownership of Accord Group.

The F4 Indian Championship will meanwhile showcase the next generation of single-seater drivers with the grid featuring talent from India and across the world.

The 2026 grid includes Aaron Mehta (Singapore), Swarnav Das (India), Sai Aditya (USA/India), Anay Doshi (Kenya), Bhuvan Bonu (India), Shravan Shanmugavel (United Kingdom), Krishay Gutte (India), Aryan Narola (USA/India), Mahlori Mabunda (South Africa), Enzo Rujugiro (South Africa), Luviwe Sambudla (South Africa), Ntiyiso Mabunda (South Africa), Mathias Alexander Forland (Norway) and Aris Kyriakou (Australia), representing eight nationalities.

The drivers will represent eight teams with Kolkata Royal Tigers, Chennai Turbo Riders, Hyderabad Blackbirds, Speed Demons Delhi, Goa Aces JA Racing, Godspeed Kochi, Ahmedabad Apex Racers and Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru set to feature on the F4 grid.

F4 India provides young drivers with an important platform to transition from karting to single-seater racing, while gaining valuable race experience and Super Licence points.

Commenting ahead of the new season, RPPL Chairman and Managing Director Akhilesh Reddy said, “Every season of the Indian Racing Festival is a step forward in our ambition to build a stronger and more visible motorsport ecosystem in India. With the F4 Indian Championship continuing to create a pathway for the next generation of drivers, the Indian Racing League bringing together some of the country’s finest and international talent and the debut of the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit, we are taking the sport to new audiences and new destinations. The 2026 season is an important milestone for RPPL, and we look forward to delivering a season that raises the bar for Indian motorsport both on and off the track.”

Reflecting the aspirations of the young drivers on the grid, Bonu said, “Indian F4 is the next step in my journey and an important milestone towards my goal of reaching F1. I’m looking forward to learning, competing and continuing to build from here.”

The 2026 season will also introduce the Navi Mumbai Street Circuit, which will host the season finale rounds of both championships. The move towards a street-racing format marks another step in RPPL’s vision of taking motorsport beyond traditional circuits and bringing the sport closer to fans across India's cities.

The Indian Racing Festival will be broadcast on STAR Sports KHEL in Hinglish, STAR Sports 2 Kannada in Kannada and STAR Sports 2 Tamil in Tamil. Fans can also stream the action on JioHotstar in English, Hinglish, Kannada and Tamil, while the STAR Sports YouTube channel will stream the races for viewers in territories outside India.

The 2026 season will be supported by JK Tyre, Nayara Energy and Bisleri as sponsors, further strengthening the festival’s growing ecosystem.

Driver Line-up

Kolkata Royal Tigers: Aaron Mehta (Singapore), Swarnav Das (India)

Chennai Turbo Riders: Sai Aditya (USA/India), Anay Doshi (Kenya)

Hyderabad Blackbirds: Bhuvan Bonu (India), Shravan Shanmugavel (United Kingdom)

Speed Demons Delhi: Krishay Gutte (India), Ntiyiso Mabunda (South Africa)

Goa Aces JA Racing: Aryan Narola (USA/India), Luviwe Sambudla (South Africa)

Godspeed Kochi: Mahlori Mabunda (South Africa)

Ahmedabad Apex Racers: Mathias Alexander Forland (Norway)

Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru: Enzo Rujugiro (South Africa), Aris Kyriakou (Australia)

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BMW Group India and Navnit Motors have opened a service workshop facility in Mumbai, designed in accordance with the manufacturer's Retail.NEXT standards.

Located in Andheri East, the facility covers approximately 115,000 square feet and operates 53 service bays, comprising six consultation bays, three diagnostic bays, 21 mechanical and electrical bays, and 23 body and paint bays.

The centre incorporates infrastructure for electric vehicle maintenance, high-voltage equipment, solar power generation covering 20 percent of electricity needs, rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems. Digital integrations include service scheduling via the MyBMW App, personalised video repair estimates with digital payment options, and real-time vehicle tracking. BMW Group India currently operates 56 service workshops across its national network.

Ralf Hattler, Senior Vice-President of Customer Support and Aftersales, BMW Group, said, "Aftersales is a strategic pillar of the BMW Group’s long-term relationship with its customers. As mobility evolves, our focus is to build a service ecosystem that is ready for every drivetrain, intelligently connected and consistently centred on individual customer needs. The new Retail.NEXT service workshop in Mumbai translates this global ambition into a powerful local reality - combining scale, specialist competence and responsible operations to safeguard vehicle performance. For our customers, this means peace of mind: knowing that BMW is always by your side and keeps you mobile throughout the entire ownership journey."

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, "Customer experience does not end with the purchase of a BMW, it continues throughout the ownership journey. With Navnit Motors, we have established one of India’s largest automotive service workshops and the country’s largest BMW service workshop facility, bringing together scale, digital innovation, sustainability and future-ready expertise under one roof. It is a significant expression of our ‘Relax. We Care.’ promise and our commitment to making BMW ownership effortless, transparent and rewarding."

Krishna Kachalia, Dealer Principal, Navnit Motors, said, "As we celebrate 30 years of a strong and enduring partnership with the BMW Group, this landmark facility is a significant milestone in our shared journey. Our deep understanding of Mumbai and the evolving needs of BMW customers have shaped our vision to create this world-class service facility. As the largest BMW service workshop, it reflects our commitment to setting new benchmarks in aftersales excellence. With significantly enhanced service capacity, advanced diagnostic systems, dedicated EV facilities, connected service technologies and highly skilled specialists, the facility combines scale with precision and personalised care for BMW customers across Mumbai."

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Over 200 suppliers from Taiwan will participate in AAPEX 2026, North America’s leading automotive aftermarket exhibition, scheduled to take place at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas from 3rd November to 5^th November.

Presented by the International Trade Administration and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the delegation will exhibit under the Team Taiwan banner at Booth V19622.

The display features products across categories including components, electronics, lighting, tools and collision repair parts. The showcase incorporates an industry scenario zone, digital kiosks, and scheduled presentations.

The events during the exhibition include an opening ceremony, networking sessions, procurement meetings and pitch demonstrations focusing on maintenance equipment, diagnostics and advanced driver assistance systems.

Image for representational purposes only.

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Indraprastha Gas has introduced Nawgati's artificial intelligence (AI) vehicle recognition and safety verification system at fuel stations in Delhi.

The rollout was inaugurated at the Shantipath CNG facility by Sanjay Kumar Singh, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives for the North Circle at the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). The initiative implements a three-pronged compliance framework to verify compressed natural gas cylinder hydrotest validity before refuelling.

The system incorporates the consumer-facing Nawgati app, the Aaveg compliance application used by queue marshals and automated license plate recognition cameras linked to digital LED displays and public announcement systems. Non-compliant vehicles with expired certifications trigger automated alerts to station staff to halt refuelling operations.

Ambuj Singh, Senior Vice President of Business and Operations, Nawgati, said, "Fuel retail safety relies on robust enforcement and friction-free technology. Having senior leadership inaugurate this rollout at IGL Shantipath is a testament to the urgency and impact of our solution. By combining our proprietary technology, the Aaveg Compliance app for queue marshals, and consumer-facing transparency through the Nawgati app, we are helping operators eliminate manual blind spots, prevent unverified cylinders from refuelling, and set a new benchmark for smart infrastructure safety."

The safety deployment is accompanied by public awareness campaigns across media channels and operational protocols implemented by Indraprastha Gas to support national energy targets and infrastructure expansion.

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AXOR, the premium helmet brand from Vega Auto, has launched the Agera, a full-face helmet designed with aerodynamic engineering and ventilation features for high-speed riding.

The helmet features a shell profile with an integrated rear spoiler engineered to manage airflow, reduce aerodynamic drag, and lower neck strain at high speeds. The rear spoiler functions as an integrated exhaust vent to assist with thermal management and interior airflow extraction. The product will be retailed in domestic markets and exported across AXOR's international distribution network.

The Agera features a double D-ring retention system and an Emergency Quick Release System for cheek pad removal during emergency situations. The helmet is equipped with an optically correct, scratch-resistant, UV-protected Revo outer visor featuring a tool-free quick-release mechanism and Pinlock anti-fog compatibility, alongside an integrated internal smoke sun visor for glare reduction.

Uttam Chandak, Joint MD and Head of Research and Development, AXOR, said, "Aerodynamic engineering plays a critical role in the overall riding experience, particularly at higher speeds. With the Agera, our focus has been on developing a shell profile that manages airflow effectively. By combining aerodynamic considerations with functional ventilation and a race-inspired design, we aim to deliver a helmet that reflects our continued focus on engineering-led product development."

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