Madras High Court to Decide Fate of Controversial Formula 4 Night Race in Chennai amid Public Interest Litigation. Scheduled for February 16, the ruling follows the race’s postponement and sparks debate on its necessity in the city center. Organizers stress economic benefits, while petitioners question the choice over established circuits.
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The Madras High Court has announced its intention to deliver a verdict on Friday, February 16, 2024, regarding a series of public interest litigation (PIL) petitions that have raised questions about the advisability of hosting a Formula 4 night street race in Chennai’s central Island Grounds area. This decision comes after a hearing on Tuesday, February 13, where Justices R. Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq sought updates on the status of the event.
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The judges, keen on ascertaining the current status of the race, sought clarification on whether the plan had been abandoned. Advocate General P.S. Raman informed the court that the race had only been postponed to the upcoming season.
The senior judge on the Second Division Bench conveyed that they would pass orders based on the merits of the case on Friday. These PIL petitions were initially filed last year, challenging the State government’s decision to conduct the race on December 9 and 10, 2023.
However, unforeseen circumstances, including torrential rains brought by Cyclone Michaung, led to the postponement of the event. During this period, the Division Bench heard the batch of PIL petitions against the race and reserved its judgment.
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The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) had collaborated with Racing Promotions Private Limited to organize the Formula 4 night street race. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) with the aim of establishing a street race circuit around the Island Grounds.
The proposed circuit would traverse Flag Staff Road and part of Kamarajar Salai through Napier Bridge, take a right turn at Sivanandam Salai to connect with part of Anna Salai, and then rejoin Flag Staff Road. The pit stops for the race were strategically planned inside Island Grounds.
Defending their decision, the organizers argued that hosting the street race in Chennai would significantly boost the city’s economy. They anticipated a substantial influx of spectators, with thousands attending the event live and millions more tuning in through television channels.
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However, the PIL petitioners raised concerns about the necessity of conducting such a race in the heart of the city, urging organizers to confine such events to established car race circuits, like the one existing at Irungattukottai on the outskirts of Chennai.
