Madras International Karting Arena set for grand opening with Mika Hakkinen

Double Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen will be inaugurating the new Driven-designed Madras International Karting Arena on Thursday 19 September 2024.

MEDIA RELEASE // Madras Motor Sports Club

Motorsports in India is set for a momentous milestone with the launch of the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) on Thursday 19 September 2024, inaugurated by the “Flying Finn” Mika Hakkinen. The track will become India’s first ever FIA-CIK kart track, enabling it to host World Championship events.

The event, dubbed “Mika@MIKA”, will see the 1998 and 1999 Formula 1 World Champion open the new kart track which flanks the start-finish straight of the iconic Madras International Circuit, located 40 km from Chennai, to usher in a new era for the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) which is now into its 71st year.

MIKA was designed by Driven International, with Chennai-born Karun Chandhok advising on the layout. He will also attend the launch event alongside fellow former Indian F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan. 

The 1.2 km MIKA circuit offers fast straights, flowing sequences, challenging corners, and is built to a global standard that will ensure it’s certified to host World Championship events, something that is very much on the MMSC’s radar.

The facility provides spacious garages, a control room, lounge and other amenities designed to provide a comfortable setting for both competitors and spectators. The track will be open to the public from Saturday 21 September.

With MIKA’s opening, the venue will further enhance Madras International Circuit’s status as the hub of motorsport activitiy in India, which opened in 1990 and now has grown to encompass track racing, rallying, motocross and karting.

Other key changes during the ongoing first phase of works include a major resurfacing, with the removal of some long established bumps, particularly at the start/finish line and on the approach to Turn 5. The resurfacing will extend from before the start/finish line up to Turn 2, and then from the approach to Turn 5 to after Turn 7. The runoff area at the existing Turn 13 will also be extended during the early stages of the work, with barrier realignment planned too.

More general changes planned for the first phase include the installation of EM light panels as part of a wider upgrade to the marshalling and safety systems. These are being installed alongside an improved venue CCTV network and the progressive replacement and upgrade of marshal posts.

This two-phase upgrade of the circuit represents the most significant improvements at the venue since it joined MSV’s circuit portfolio in November 2022. Earlier changes included an wholesale refurbishment of the Paddock Bar and Restaurant, Race Control and the VIP suites, plus an exterior aesthetic overhaul and other key detail changes. 

MMSC President Ajit Thomas said: “The Madras International Karting Arena is a logical extension of MMSC’s expansion plans to convert MIC into a multi-discipline motorsport facility that will cater to both competitive and leisure activities, for all-comers including the Corporates. Obviously, it is a matter of pride for MMSC to have built the CIK-certified Karting track as part of our continuing efforts to make significant contributions to develop and promote motorsport at the grass-root level.

“We have ensured that the Madras International Karting Arena track was built in consultation with the CIK at every stage of the construction, and MIKA will be the first of its kind in India. The MIKA is a great addition to the existing facilities at the Madras International Circuit which itself has undergone upgrades over the past few years to secure a FIA Grade-2 certification.

“We felt that it was important to not only have a track that the drivers enjoy and will be good for racing and overtaking, but also one that is easy to use operationally. We have created links to the existing paddock and pit lane at the main track to help the competitors with logistics and with multiple track options, we will be able to run both leisure and competition karting.”

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