India’s motorsport heritage

Sholavaram, the legendary T-shaped racetrack located just north of Chennai, India, was once a magnet for motorsport enthusiasts worldwide. From 1953 to 1989, it hosted thrilling races that attracted top racers from across the globe, making it the highlight of the Indian motorsport calendar.

However, as racing shifted to the newer Madras International Circuit in Sriperumbudur, and the Open Class of racing was discontinued, the enchantment of Sholavaram faded into history. Join us as we journey back in time to hear firsthand accounts from those who witnessed Indian motorsport's glory days and explore the mystique that surrounded Sholavaram.

00:00 - Indian Motor Racing
01:54 - India's Air Strip Race Tracks
02:34 - Vijay Mallya's McDowell's liveried Group A2 Fiat 1100
04:30 - Vicky Chandhok's early days at Sholavaram
05:35 - The allure of Sholavaram - Ferraris and E-Type Jaguars racing
06:09 - Stopwatches and traditional Time Keeping methods at Sholavaram
06:48 - Karun Chandhok, India's second-ever F1 driver
07:11 - MMSC and FMSCI Founding Member Indu Chandhok on his first race
07:48 - Veteran Automotive Journalist Adil Jal Darukhanawala's memories of Sholavaram
08:28 - The T-shaped layout of the Sholavaram racetrack
09:45 - The legends roster at Sholavaram - Darius Bhathena and more!
10:53 - Mohinder "Chubi" Lalwani and Renuka Kirpalani
11:48 - Chubi Lalwani's first race
12:51 - Chubi's skill as a racecar tuner and builder
13:08 - Double Barrels Team Alpha's Racing Special
13:47 - The Formula Indian category of racing
15:14 - Pratap "Bobby" Jayaram - racer and designer of the REVA electric car
16:19 - Carrying on AD Jayaram's legacy as a racecar builder
17:10 - How to prepare a racecar
18:04 - Beating the Calcutta racers in the Ambassador class
18:37 - Sundaram Karivardhan and his impact on Indian racing
19:03 - CK Jinan on Karivardhan
20:00 - Dolphin Special in action
20:54 - Kari's Formula Atlantic vs Vicky Chandhok's MRF Formula 2 car
21:32 -Kari's motorsport philanthropy
23:47 - Memories from the 50th Year of Sholavaram
25:05 - Subash Chandra Bose or "Bullet Bose"
26:30 - Sholavaram's Open Class and taking the crown from "Bullet Bhaskie"
27:33 - Bullet Bose and the Royal Enfield Factory Strike
27:59 - How to Push Start a Motorcycle at the Races
28:19 - Riding Gear at Sholavaram in the 1970s
29:02 - Sholavaram reunion
29:07 - Sholavaram Spectator VS Raghavan
29:51 - A fan's memories of Sholavaram
30:16 - International Racers at Sholavaram
31:01 - Vijay Mallya's Ensign F1 at Sholavaram
31:08 - Maharajkumar of Gondal's Surteen F5000 TS11
31:40 - 1989 - The End of Racing at Sholavaram
31:53 - The Sholavaram Race Track today

Report by Vaishali Dinakaran | Camera: Arjun Dhavale | Editing: Kirsten Jungclaus

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