MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2025 is poised for a thrilling finale at the Madras International Circuit this weekend, with the fourth and final round scheduled for 24–25 January. The championship has drawn 68 entries across categories, underlining the depth and competitiveness of the grid as the season heads towards its climax.
The two MRF single-seater classes, Formula 2000 and Formula 1600, once again headline the weekend, which features a packed schedule of 13 races. Both categories showcase an impressive crop of teenage talent, with Pune’s Arjun Chheda leading the Formula 2000 standings and Sai Shiva Sankaran topping Formula 1600. However, neither can afford to relax, with Bengalureans Ishaan Madesh and Arjun Nair firmly in contention for the respective titles.
A major highlight of the weekend will be the triple-header in the premier Indian Touring Cars category. The top four drivers are separated by just 24 points, with a maximum of 75 points available, setting up a tense battle. Leading the standings is 22-year-old Dhruv Chavan from Lonavala, who has quietly built his championship charge through consistency.
While attention has largely focused on the established trio of defending champion Biren Pithawalla (N1 Racing), Ritesh Rai (Buzzing Hornet) and former multiple champion Arjun Balu (Race Concepts), Chavan has capitalised on their inconsistencies. Pithawalla has suffered two retirements, Balu three, all in the previous round, while Rai missed the opening round altogether, despite winning five of the six races he contested thereafter.
In contrast, Bengaluru’s Rithvik Thomas (Race Concepts) and Sri Lanka’s Kesara Gadage (Red Line Racing India) enjoy comfortable leads in the Indian Junior Touring Cars and Super Stock categories, respectively. Coimbatore’s Vidyaprakash Damodaran, at 80 years of age, continues to defy convention and leads the ITC 1625 class for Team Performance Racing.
The MRF Saloons (Toyota Etios) category sees a tightly contested battle between Akshay Muralidharan (Coimbatore), Mohammed Arafath (Chennai) and Tarushi Vikram (Chikmagaluru), the only female driver on the grid, with just 41 points separating the leading trio.
Among the most hotly contested classes is Formula LGB 1300, comprising Open and Junior categories. Both are led by 19-year-old Joel Joseph from Ernakulam, representing DTS Racing. However, he faces a strong challenge from team-mate Vinith Kumar of Tirupur, who remains firmly in the title hunt.
The Volkswagen Polo Cup promises further drama, with four races scheduled over the weekend, more than any other category. With 100 points available, the championship remains wide open, and, mathematically, all eight drivers on the grid remain in contention.
Chairman of the Meet Vicky Chandhok said, “It has been a long season with its quota of ups and downs. There is still plenty to play for this weekend. For all that, the grids reflect a great mix of youth and experience resulting in some thrilling races in the previous rounds. The ones to watch out for are the touring car races which have a combined grid of 20-plus cars and the Formula LGB 1300 which has witnessed some of the closest wheel-to-wheel racing this season. So, there is plenty to look forward to this weekend.”
