‘It’s going to be thrilling’: Shana Parmeshwar, who is building a new racetrack near Bengaluru

The 5.5-kilometre circuit in Andhra Pradesh, awaiting FIA Grade 2 certification, is set to become India’s longest racing venue

For a long time, the Indian motorsport community suffered a dearth of racing venues in the country. Until 2010, there were none apart from the Madras Motor Race Track in Irungattukottai in Chennai and the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore. The following year witnessed the launch of the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, which brought Formula One to India. After a decade’s gap, the motorsport community is set to welcome three more venues in the next three to four years — in Pune, Pista Motor Raceway in Dundigal, and Marque One racetrack in Andhra Pradesh. The last of the three venues is just a two-hour drive from Bengaluru International Airport. Marque One Motor Club is building a 5.5-kilometre track, which will make it India’s longest motorsport racing venue. The club is also awaiting FIA Grade 2 certification, which will make it eligible to host international events, including F2 championships. “At the moment, racing culture is really limited to three racetracks in India. Having more tracks will increase the racing events in a year — the national championships and other tournaments,” says Shana Parameshwar, the director of Marque One Motor Club.