The FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2026 kicks off its 29th season at Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore, on 24–25 October, with a packed grid featuring established names, international entries from Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and women racers from across India. A total of 17 races across six categories will unfold over the two-day season opener, offering an early indication of the championship order in one of India's longest-running motorsport series.

Six Categories, 17 Races

The opening round spans the LGB Formula 4, Continental GT Cup, Novice F1300, Super Saloon, Indian Touring Car (ITC), Indian Super Touring Car (ISTC), and the Levitas Cup. The programme covers the full spectrum of circuit disciplines — from single-seater open-wheel racing and production-based touring cars to single-make championships — making the Coimbatore weekend one of the most diverse on the Indian motorsport calendar.

LGB Formula 4 and the Single-Seater Battle

The LGB Formula 4 category, now in its 29th year, remains one of the most accessible single-seater platforms in India. The cars run a carburetted 1,298cc Suzuki Swift engine paired with an Esteem five-speed gearbox, built around a chrome-molybdenum tubing frame. Three races are scheduled over the weekend. Drivers Dhruv Goshwani, Monith Srinivasan, Sandeep Kumar, and Saran Vikram headline the grid, with consistency and race craft expected to be the decisive factors in a category where margins are tight.

Continental GT Cup's Sixth Edition Splits Grids

The Continental GT Cup, entering its sixth edition, introduces a notable structural change this season: Amateur and Professional competitors will race on separate grids and distinct platforms — the GT-R650 for Amateurs and the GT-R750 for Professionals. Twenty Amateurs and fifteen Professionals form the respective grids, each category running three races. Kabir Sahoch and Saurav Dey are among the names to watch in the Amateur class, while Senthil Kumar, Anish D. Shetty, and Allwin Xavier are expected to lead the Professional field.

Levitas Cup, Super Saloon and Touring Car Action

The JK Tyre Levitas Cup, India's only single-make championship, enters its second edition featuring race-prepped Maruti Suzuki Ignis cars. The 1.2-litre K-Series naturally aspirated stock engine — fitted with headers and a straight-pipe exhaust — produces 92 hp. The category is split into Rookie and Pro/Gentlemen's classes and will run two races. The Super Saloon category, which includes Super Stock and Indian Junior Touring Car (IJTC) classes, and the ITC/ISTC category will each run two races, rounding out a schedule built to test speed, braking, and racecraft across varied machinery.

What to Expect This Weekend

The Coimbatore season opener sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive 2026 championship. With Kari Motor Speedway placing a premium on technical precision and tyre management, drivers opening the season strongly will carry valuable momentum into the rounds ahead. The presence of international entries and a growing cohort of women racers adds further depth to a grid that reflects the expanding reach of Indian circuit racing.