News Tamil Nadu

F4 Race To Be Held On Dec 15-16 Even As Chennai Limps To Normalcy After Cyclone; AMMK Leader & ADMK Head Slam DMK Govt

December 8, 2023
The Commune

Back in August 2023, DMK’s Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, inked a three-year MoU with a private entity, Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL) for the development of the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit. Spanning 5 kilometers, the circuit boasts an anti-clockwise layout and encompasses 19 corners. The circuit’s expansive layout was seen to extend over Island Grounds, Victory War Memorial, and the Napier Bridge, with pit and paddock structures planned for construction on Island Grounds. The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) is said to be investing ₹42 crore, while RPPL committed to ₹200 crore for the circuit’s development.

As part of the ambitious plan, the venue was slated to host the F4 Indian Championship and Indian Racing League on 9 December 2023 and 10 December 2023. 

In the aftermath of cyclone Michaung in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu government declared on Tuesday the postponement of the Formula (F) 4 racing event. While the announcement acknowledged the delay, a rescheduled date for the event has not been disclosed as yet. 

General Secretary of the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK), TTV Dinakaran slammed the government for focusing the efforts on the F4 race during a crisis. He wrote on his X handle, “The action of the Tamil Nadu government to hold a car race by a private company when the people are suffering irreparably from the flood caused by heavy rains is condemnable. Due to the heavy rains caused by Cyclone Michaung, rainwater entered the residences in Chennai and its suburbs, completely losing their livelihoods, and lakhs of people are suffering from lack of food and drinking water. In this situation, the government of Tamil Nadu has informed the court that the Formula Racing Circuit, a private company race, will be held in Chennai on the 15th and 16th. What is the need for the government administration to spend 40 crore rupees of people’s tax money and conduct a car race, when it should be focusing on rescuing the people who are in difficulty without any basic facilities such as no food to eat, water to drink and clothes to wear? Is it the achievement of the government to block busy roads like Omanturar Government Hospital, Anna Road, and Port and conduct private races when there is a ground in Irungatukittai to hold the races? The public is questioning. The DMK government, which says that it is already in dire financial straits, should cancel the car race in order to avoid wasting people’s tax money and also urge the Tamil Nadu government and Chief Minister, Mr. M.K. Stalin.” 

Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami also criticised the DMK government’s decision to host the Formula 4 night street race on vital public roads in Chennai, citing inconvenience to hospitals, the secretariat, and the railway station. He suggested using dedicated tracks instead. 

PILs were filed against the race, citing threats to safety and unnecessary public spending. The Madras High Court sought details of the MoU between the government and Racing Promotions Private Limited, questioning the government’s benefits. 

Officials mentioned restricted public access during the event, but vehicle passes would be issued for essential services. 

Tickets were priced between ₹1699 and 19,999 for day and weekend passes on Paytm Insider.

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