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Chaos At Chennai’s Formula 4 Night Race: Delays, Safety Concerns, Frustrated Fans Mar Inaugural Event

The Commune

The much-anticipated “Formula 4” night race, part of the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) and backed by DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin, faced a rocky start at the Chennai F4 Racing Street Circuit on 31 August 2024. Due to mounting technical and legal challenges, what was intended to be a thrilling debut for night street racing turned into a frustrating ordeal for teams, drivers, and fans.

Failed To Get Clearance On Time

Racing Promotion Private Limited (RPPL) organized the event, which hit a snag when it failed to secure the necessary clearance from the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) by the noon deadline set by the Madras High Court. As a result, RPPL petitioned the court for a six-hour extension.

RPPL explained to the special bench that unexpected rain on the evening of 30 August had delayed some critical work. They had invested over ₹200 crore into the event, with more than 5,000 tickets sold. They argued that not granting the extension would cause significant prejudice and hardship. A special bench of Justices R. Suresh Kumar and P.B. Balaji granted an extension until 8 p.m. when the FIA clearance was finally received.

Spectators Left High & Dry

The delay was particularly exasperating for fans who had braved the sweltering heat only to be met with uncertainty. Information about the delay was scarce, leaving many spectators wondering when the event would commence.

One attendee, who had paid around ₹20,000 for tickets for himself and his two children, expressed frustration. “We were excited about the night race coming to Chennai, but the organization has been a letdown. My kids followed car racing closely and were looking forward to this,” he said.

This year’s Formula 4 championship in India has been held over five rounds, with the second round ending in Chennai. On 1 September, the turnout was notably lower compared to 31 August, as only those with tickets attended. The previous day had seen a large crowd, many of whom thought entry was free.

K Shiva, who travelled from Kumbakonam to watch the Formula 4 event, expressed frustration, “We were told either entry would be free, or ticket prices would be low. However, there was a lack of clear guidance from the authorities, and we ran from gate to gate without proper information.” As a result, nearly half of the attendees from Saturday left after discovering that admission was not free.

Information for ticket holders was scarce, leaving many spectators confused and frustrated.

Circuit Not Well Done – Safety Issues

The day’s schedule included free practice and qualifying sessions for the Indian Racing League (IRL), Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC), and the JK Formula LGB 4 categories. The F4 free practice session, initially set for 1:45 p.m., was delayed after an FIA inspection at 11 a.m. revealed that two corners of the circuit were not up to standard and needed modifications for approval. RPPL then rushed back to court for an extension, granted at 5 p.m. when the FIA approved the circuit for a G3 licence.

The FIA’s statement clarified that while the circuit licence ensured a minimum level of safety, it did not guarantee absolute safety for the event, which remained the responsibility of the circuit owners and event organizers. As a result, the entire tournament schedule was shifted, with 31 August 2024 night’s qualifying sessions moved to 1 September 2024.

The chaos finally subsided around 9 p.m., and spectators could finally at least enjoy the practice sessions. The roar of engines and the sight of cars racing through the illuminated streets restored excitement for the event.

Car Collision

In the main race on 1 September 2024, a collision between two cars during the final lap caused the race to be temporarily halted. Dark Don Racing’s T.S. Diljith, who had maintained the lead throughout the race, was declared the winner after the interruption.

Overall, the DMK’s Formula 4 event was marred by hype and haste, resulting in considerable frustration among fans and enthusiasts. The execution fell short of expectations, revealing the DMK’s inability to manage a sporting event effectively. It appeared that the event was treated more like a DMK affair than a professional racing competition, with the FIA’s approval coming only at the last minute, placing the burden of responsibility on the organizers.

The collision between cars during the race was not fully explained or investigated, leading political commentators to criticize the DMK for allegedly downplaying the issue.

Stray Dogs Loitering On Circuit, Bikers Performing Stunts

Organizers seemed unprepared for behaviours, such as stray dogs running on the track and bikers using it for stunts. Such activities further compounded the chaos before the Formula 4 event finally began.

(With inputs from TOI & TNIE)

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