Indian Racing Festival Ends with Narola and Alva Victories
Greater Noida: The Indian Racing Festival at the Buddh International Circuit came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, as Aryan Narola of Goa Aces JK Racing won both F4 Indian Championship races and Ruhaan Alva of Kicchas Kings Bengaluru triumphed in the second Indian Racing League race.
The two-day event offered fierce competition across both categories, with drivers battling for position from the first lap to the last.
The festival began on Saturday. Raul Hyman of Goa Aces JK Racing won the first IRL race, while Natthiso Mabunda of Speed Demons Delhi claimed the first F4 Indian Championship race.
On Saturday, Round 2 of the IRL and the first race of Round 4 of the F4 Indian Championship got underway. Hyman controlled the IRL race from beginning to end and completed it in 27 minutes 40.759 seconds. Early on, Emil Heerdal of Kicchas Kings Bengaluru had been ahead, but Hyman made a strong overtake and maintained his lead. Sai Siva Shankaran of Kolkata Royal Tigers was runner-up in 27:55.806, while Gemma Moore of Kicchas Kings Bengaluru placed third in 27:56.070.
Tijil Rao of Chennai Turbo Riders endured a frustrating outing. He recovered from eighth place to reach second, but a mechanical fault on the final lap forced him to abandon the race.
In the F4 race, Mabunda crossed the line first in 32 minutes 46.842 seconds. Luuvuyo Sambudla and Narola of Goa Aces JK Racing also impressed. Narola, starting third, surged to an early lead ahead of Mabunda and Arjun Chheda. Mabunda fought back to regain first place, Sambudla increased his pace to join the contest, and a tight battle between the two South African drivers ensued before Mabunda took the win.
Sunday saw three more races at BIC: two F4 Indian Championship races and the second IRL race. Narola had the most successful day of any driver, winning both F4 events, while Alva claimed the IRL race.
In the first F4 race on Sunday, Swarnav Das took the early lead. On the second lap, Narola made a sharp overtake at a corner to move ahead and eventually claimed first place. Sambudla raised his speed, passed Das, and launched a strong challenge.
The battle for third place also heated up late in the race, as Aris Kiriakou moved past Das. Sambudla, however, suffered an engine failure and had to retire a few laps before the end. Narola took advantage to win, with Kiriakou second and Mabunda third.
Narola also dominated the second F4 race from the start. Arjun Chheda of Ahmedabad Apex Racers and Mabunda continued to challenge him. Chheda made several attempts to seize the lead, but Narola kept his composure under pressure and secured his second consecutive victory. Chheda finished second and Mabunda third.
The second IRL race was equally exciting. Alva of Kicchas Kings Bengaluru delivered a strong performance to win, with Mohammad Ryan of Hyderabad Blackbirds second and Malaysian driver Alister Yong of Speed Demons Delhi third.
Shane Chandaria had passed Alva and held the lead for several laps, but a technical fault in his car ended his race. Alva benefited and claimed the win, while Ryan and Yong finished second and third.
Narola's two consecutive F4 Indian Championship victories and Alva's IRL win made for a thrilling close to the two-day racing weekend at the Buddh International Circuit, giving spectators an exciting experience in this leg of the Indian Racing Festival.