The 1.2 km Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) track offers fast straights, flowing sequences and hairpins, resulting in an enjoyable layout for drivers offering plenty of overtaking opportunities and switchback racing.

The facility is built to a global standard and is certified to host World Championship karting events, making it the only track in India to hold this accolade.

Fittingly for the venue’s name, MIKA was opened by the 1998 and 1999 Formula 1 World Champion, Mika Hakkinen, in a spectacular inauguration ceremony which culminated in a massed drive of the track by numerous young Indian karting talents.

Hakkinen was joined by Karun Chandhok and Narain Karthikeyan at the ceremony, who are India’s only two F1 drivers in its history. Chandhok also advised on the design of the track as Driven International’s Race Driver Consultant.

Watch the highlights of the ceremony in this short video: 

MIKA flanks the start-finish straight of the iconic Madras International Circuit, located 40 km from Chennai, and ushers in a new era for Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) which is now over 70 years old.

The new kart track further enhances Madras International Circuit’s status as the hub of motorsport activity in India, which opened in 1990 and has grown to encompass track racing, rallying, motocross, and now international level karting as part of MMSC’s continuing efforts to develop and promote motorsport at grass-roots level.