Madras High Court Greenlights South Asia's First Night Formula 4 Street Car Race

The Madras High Court has approved the Formula 4 Street Car Race to be held from August 31 to September 1, after the Tamil Nadu government agreed to submit the necessary FIA certificate. Despite concerns from A N S Prasad, a BJP spokesperson, about traffic disruptions, the event is set to proceed.

The Madras High Court on Thursday gave the green light for the Formula 4 Street Car Race, South Asia's first night race, set for August 31 to September 1, after the Tamil Nadu government consented to submit the FIA certificate before the event.

This 3.7 km race marks a pioneering event by the state government, promising not to disrupt traffic according to interim orders from Acting Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice P B Balaji.

The court mandated the state to provide the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) certificate by noon on race day, also furnishing a copy to the petitioner, A N S Prasad, a BJP spokesperson.

Assurances came from Advocate General P S Raman and senior counsel P R Raman, representing the state and Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), respectively, that the race would not take place without the FIA Homologation certificate. Senior advocate V Raghavachari, representing Prasad, argued that the street circuit race, requiring road closures, would adversely affect public convenience and violate provisions of the Chennai City Municipality Corporation Act, 1919.

(With inputs from agencies.)