MUMBAI: The sixth edition of the MRF Challenge will commence in Bahrain this month, along with the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The MRF Challenge 2017 championship will feature four rounds with 16 races in Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Chennai and will see an updated Formula 2000 car featuring inputs from legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey.
The Indian racing series, which features Formula 3 style cars, will have cars with a Hewland 6-speed sequential gearbox with integrated paddle shift system for the first time. The F2000 car is powered by a 2-litre Mountune Duratec engine with max power of 230 bhp and shod on MRF ZLO tyres. It has been built by JA Motorsport in technical collaboration with Dallara.
There will be a full grid of 18 cars this year. Returning drivers include Italian F4 runner up and title favourite Felipe Drugovich, Dylan Young, Manuel Maldonado and Rinus Van Kalmthout. They will be joined by Louis Gachot, son of former Formula 1 driver Bertrand Gachot. Former drivers of the MRF Challenge include Formula 3 drivers Harrison Newey, Mick Schumacher, Joey Mawson, V8 Championship leader Pietro Fittipaldi and Indycar driver Conor Daly.
MRF Challenge 2017-18 calendar:
Round 1: November 16-18, 2017, Bahrain
Round 2: December 7-9, 2017, Dubai
Round 3: December 13-15, 2017, Abu Dhabi
Round 4: February 2-4, 2018, Chennai
