Kannada film superstar Kichcha Sudeepa has officially joined the high-octane world of Indian motorsport, becoming the proud owner of the Bengaluru franchise in the Indian Racing Festival.
Star Power Fuels Indian Racing Festival
The Indian Racing Festival, which features both the F4 Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League, is rapidly gaining momentum by attracting big names from various industries. Kichcha Sudeepa’s entry as owner of ‘Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru’ adds significant star power to the event.
He joins a growing list of celebrity team owners. Bollywood’s John Abraham owns the Goa team, cricket legend Sourav Ganguly backs Kolkata, Telugu star Naga Chaitanya represents Hyderabad, and Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor leads the Delhi franchise.
Unpacking the Indian Racing Festival
The festival is a crucial platform for aspiring racers. The F4 Indian Championship offers valuable Super Licence points, making it an attractive stepping stone for both international and domestic talent aiming for higher tiers of single-seater racing.
Drivers benefit from a cost-effective way to earn Super Licence points compared to European circuits, while also competing against global talent. The championship uses the FIA-homologated Gen 2 Mygale F4 car, the same model seen in the French F4 championship.
Meanwhile, the Indian Racing League (IRL) utilizes the powerful Wolf Thunder GB08 single-seater, equipped with an Aprilia RSV4 engine. A unique aspect of the IRL is its commitment to diversity: each team must field two cars with four racers, and it is mandatory for every team to include one female driver.
The 2025 Season Takes Off Soon
Get ready for some thrilling action! The 2025 season of the Indian Racing Festival is set to kick off in August. This year will feature five exhilarating rounds across the calendar.
A total of six franchise teams will be battling it out for glory, including Kichcha Sudeepa’s newly acquired ‘Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru’.
Sudeepa’s Vision for Motorsport
Kichcha Sudeepa shared his excitement about this new venture. “Racing, like cinema, is pure adrenaline. It’s about timing, control, instinct — and above all, heart,” he stated.
He sees his team, ‘Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru’, as a tribute to the city’s spirit, talent, grit, and youth. Sudeepa believes motorsport is on the cusp of a mainstream breakthrough in India and is eager to help drive that growth from the South.
Future Plans: A Goa Street Circuit?
Organizers RPPL have ambitious plans for the future of Indian motorsport. They’ve been exploring the possibility of hosting a round on the streets of Goa, an idea that received primary approval from the Department of Tourism, Goa, earlier this year.
While the prospect of a Goa street circuit is exciting, it appears unlikely to be part of the 2025 calendar. However, this indicates a strong desire to expand the racing footprint across the country.
- Kannada star Kichcha Sudeepa now owns the Bengaluru team, ‘Kichcha’s Kings Bengaluru’, in the Indian Racing Festival.
- Other celebrity owners include John Abraham, Sourav Ganguly, Naga Chaitanya, and Arjun Kapoor.
- The festival includes the F4 Indian Championship (offering Super Licence points) and the Indian Racing League (featuring a mandatory female driver per team).
- The 2025 season begins in August, with five rounds and six competing teams.
This growing interest from entertainment and sports icons highlights a promising and action-packed future for motorsport in India.
