IAME Series India 2026: Kairav Roberson, Rehan Khan Rasheed claim titles at Chennai night race
Synopsis
India's first IAME karting series ended under floodlights and rain at Chennai's MIKA, with Kairav Roberson and Rehan Khan Rasheed topping the Senior and Junior classes. Most notably, Shiv Neel — son of F1 pioneer Narain Karthikeyan — claimed the Mini title, and all four champions now head to the IAME Asia Finals in Macau in December.
Key Takeaways
The inaugural IAME Series India 2026 concluded at Madras International Karting Arena , Chennai , on 30 August 2026 — the venue's first day-night karting event.
Kairav Roberson (MSPORT) won the Senior overall title; Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum Motorsports) claimed the Junior crown.
Shiv Neel , son of India's first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan , took the Mini category title; Aruthran Prabhu won the Under-10 class.
All four champions earned tickets to the IAME Asia Finals in Macau , scheduled 11–13 December 2026 .
Team titles: Kartkrew Motorsports (Seniors, Under-10), Momentum Motorsports (Juniors), NKRA by KKM (Mini).
The inaugural IAME Series India 2026 wrapped up in dramatic fashion at the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in Chennai on the night of 30 August 2026, with Kairav Roberson and Rehan Khan Rasheed crowned overall champions in the Senior and Junior classes respectively. The fifth and final round, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC), concluded close to midnight under floodlights — marking the first-ever day-night competitive karting event at the venue.
Race Night Drama
Heavy rain mid-event forced a lengthy stoppage, leaving the floodlit circuit dotted with puddles and slippery tarmac. Officials reduced the number of laps in the Finals across all classes once racing resumed, but the disruption did little to blunt the intensity of the competition. Young drivers in the Mini and Mini Under-10 categories were particularly praised for their composure in the treacherous conditions.
Senior and Junior Champions
Kairav Roberson (MSPORT) of Chennai dominated the Senior category throughout the series, topping every session. He won the Super Heat without being seriously threatened and followed it up with victory in the Finals, claiming the overall title with authority.
Rehan Khan Rasheed (Momentum Motorsports) effectively locked up the Junior title in the Super Heat by finishing second behind Pune's Abhishikt Barse (Crest Motorsports), extending his points cushion. When racing resumed on the wet track, Rasheed drove with precision to take a commanding win in the Finals, underlining the class he had shown across the season.
Mini and Under-10 Titles
Shiv Neel (NKRA by KKM) of Coimbatore — son of India's first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan — claimed the Mini category title in a closely contested finale. He edged out Rudra Gokulnath by the narrowest of margins in the Super Heat to build a decisive points lead. Rudra reversed that result in the Finals, but Shiv Neel's second-place finish was enough to secure the championship.
In the Under-10 class, Aruthran Prabhu (Kartkrew Motorsports) from Kumaraburam sealed the title despite finishing second to Ayansh Patil in the Super Heat. That result gave him an unassailable lead going into the Finals, where he won virtually unchallenged.
IAME Asia Finals Berths and Team Honours
All four overall champions — Roberson, Rasheed, Shiv Neel, and Aruthran Prabhu — earned coveted berths to the IAME Asia Finals in Macau, scheduled for 11–13 December 2026. On the team front, Kartkrew Motorsports claimed honours in the Seniors and Under-10 classes, while Momentum Motorsports took the Juniors title and NKRA by KKM won the Mini category. All four now head to Macau as India's representatives in what will be a significant test on the Asian karting stage.
Point of View
But the deeper story is institutional. India has historically produced karting talent that stagnated for lack of a credible series; MMSC's execution of a five-round, night-race-capable calendar changes that calculus. Whether this translates into a sustained pipeline to single-seater formulae depends on whether the series scales its grid numbers and attracts manufacturer backing in the seasons ahead.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the IAME Series India 2026 overall titles?
Kairav Roberson won the Senior class overall title and Rehan Khan Rasheed claimed the Junior class title at the inaugural IAME Series India 2026, which concluded on 30 August 2026 in Chennai. Shiv Neel and Aruthran Prabhu won the Mini and Under-10 categories respectively.
What is the IAME Asia Finals and when is it held?
The IAME Asia Finals is a regional karting championship where national series champions compete against each other. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 11–13 December 2026 in Macau, and all four IAME Series India 2026 champions have earned direct berths.
Who is Shiv Neel and why is his Mini title significant?
Shiv Neel is the son of Narain Karthikeyan, India's first and only Formula One driver. His Mini category title at the IAME Series India 2026 marks a notable moment for Indian motorsport, with a second generation of the Karthikeyan family competing at the national level.
Where was the IAME Series India 2026 final held?
The final round was held at the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in Chennai, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC). It was the venue's first-ever day-night competitive karting event, concluding close to midnight on 30 August 2026.
Which teams won team titles at IAME Series India 2026?
Kartkrew Motorsports won the team titles in the Senior and Under-10 classes, Momentum Motorsports claimed the Juniors team title, and NKRA by KKM took the Mini team championship.
