With their racing background, Aditya Patel and Armaan Ebrahim understood the shortcomings for aspirational racing drivers in India and wanted to create a racing series to help drivers progress through the ranks towards international championships. The duo's first foray into hosting championships was in 2018 with the X1 Racing League, a franchise-based racing event. The X1 Racing League aimed to make the sport fun and aspirational in many ways like the IPL. Marred with technical difficulties, the racing turned out to be dull and the event failed eventually.

But backed by two new investors, Navjeet Gadhoke and Akhilesh Reddy, and all the learnings from the failure of the X1 League, the duo is back to hosting duties as they introduced India’s first FIA certified championships. Hosted by Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the brainchild of Patel and Ebrahim, the racing season will consist of the Formula Regional Indian Championship (Formula 3 equivalent) and Formula 4 Indian Championship to nurture young drivers and help them in their journey towards F1, the pinnacle of motorsports.

Talking about the lessons learnt from the shortcomings of the X1 Racing League, Aditya Patel, Director, RPPL, said, "The biggest issue we faced was with the reliability of the cars itself. To overcome any technical problems, we have purchased 15 cars each for the two championships. Apart from that, we are better aware of sponsor management and are in talks with multiple sponsors for fuel, oil and tyre, rather than focusing on just one. Unlike other sports, racing allows companies to equip the cars with their products, which in turn helps their marketing.”

A lack of proper FIA backed championship has always failed to create an impact for aspiring young drivers on the international stage. Set to make motorsport aspirational, Patel and Ebrahim set their sight towards creating a framework for racing in India by receiving FIA certification for the championship. Talking about the need for an FIA certification in India, Patel said, "After getting new investors on board during the pandemic, we came up with a plan. The plan was to create a ladder to Formula 1 to make the sport aspirational to youngsters. We want to help young drivers with a stepping stone after karting to make a career in racing. Unless youngsters see a career path in front of them, large scale racing events are not going to be successful in India.”

Racing will take place over five race weekends. Each race weekend will host three races, two practice sessions and a qualifying session. Premier racetracks like the MMRT in Chennai, Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore and Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida have been selected to host the racing event. In addition to the three racetracks, RPPL has created a brand new purpose-built street circuit in Hyderabad. This will be the first championship in the country to race on a street circuit. Explaining the decision to host the street circuit in Hyderabad, Patel said, "The reason for selecting Hyderabad for our street circuit was the city's automotive culture. The city boasts of a lot of motorsports fans and is a potential destination to scout for our sponsors. In addition to all this, the support provided by Akhilesh Reddy, our sponsor from Hyderabad, will help in smooth operations. Hence, we selected Hyderabad over other destinations.”

Racing will start at the BIC on 25 February 2022 and then continue for the next three weekends at Hyderabad, Kari Motor Speedway and MMRT before coming back to Hyderabad for the finale on 25 March 2022.

These one make  championships will consist of 15 drivers (national and international) competing in cars supplied by Prema Powerteam and powered by Alfa Romeo 1.8-litre ATM AR-F3R turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 275 hp. The car has a top speed of 250 kmph and can carry 100 litres of fuel. Shod with sticky rubber, these cars produce a high level of downforce through the carbon fibre front wing and rear wing and diffuser sufficient enough to set the Indian race tracks on fire. In addition to the cars, Prema Powerteam will also supply mechanics to service the cars during race weekends. In addition to the mechanics supplied by Prema, RPPL plans to create a team of junior mechanics who can work with the mechanics supplied by Prema and gain experience. In future, the organisers plan to use this opportunity to provide work experience to graduates through partnerships with different engineering institutes.

After receiving tremendous response for the announcement of the championships,  RPPL is in the process of finalising the selection process for the 30 drivers, Throwing light on the likely selection process, Patel said, "Since the announcement, we have received a lot of requests for F4 along with a handful of enquires for the Formula Regional. So based on the enquiries, we will look at the driver's profiles and based on their experience, physical fitness and track record, we will select the 15 for the championships. We want both the championships to include international drivers. So once things materialise, we will come up with a vetting process and select a mix of national and international drivers for the championships. At the moment, it looks like there will be more international talents in the Formula Regional championship and less in the F4 championship."

Besides racing, RPPL is also looking at providing mentors to young drivers through experienced international racers like Jehan Daruvala, Arjun Maini, Narain Karthikeyan and more. These drivers can transfer the knowledge gained in their international racing career to help young talents in developing the skills required to compete at the highest level.

Patel then went on to explain the costs involved in racing and RPPL’s plans to bring cost down. He said, "While costs for the Indian championships are undecided, a rough estimate to participate in a similar championship is around EUR 200,000. Our aim with RPPL is to subsidise racing to the masses with the help of our sponsors. This will help bring more talents into the limelight and fulfil the dream of many.”

Together with the main championship events, RPPL will also run a rebadged version of the X1 Racing League called the Indian Racing League. This franchise-based racing series will be run using single-seater racing cars supplied by Italian manufacturer Wolf Racing. The racing format will be similar to the one used for the X1 Racing League but will be free of all the technical snags that surfaced during the first time. To help overcome the technical issues, RPPL has purchased 15 single-seater racing cars from Wolf Racing, which will be owned by the franchises at the end of the racing season.

So the stage is set. With three new exciting championships in the pipeline, the Indian racing scene will be changed forever. New teams, new drivers and a whole host of potential to become a spectacle racing event, the Formula Regional Indian Championship, Formula 4 Indian Championship and the Indian Racing League will create a legacy that will not only create racing drivers but also provide a learning ground for graduates and mechanics. In addition, the success of the championships can attract OEMs  to create racing schools across the country and deploy young driver programmes to transform motorsports into a mainstream career option for many. (TT)

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Goodyear is set to debut its first retail concept store in Detroit, the Goodyear Motor City Garage, just in time for the 2026 Woodward Dream Cruise. The opening coincides with a historic aerial display, as two Goodyear Blimps will fly over the Motor City for the first time in nearly two decades. This dual-blimp appearance will provide a bird's-eye view of the automotive spectacle, which annually draws over 40,000 classic vehicles and more than one and a half million enthusiasts.

The new garage will open on 15th August at eight in the morning at 3075 East Grand Boulevard. This specialised auto service centre functions as a hub for car culture, similar to destination retail concepts like a Starbucks Reserve Roastery. While offering expert services such as tyre sales, oil changes, alignments, brake service and battery replacement, the space also showcases the company’s technological innovations and storied heritage.

A custom Detroit-themed Eagle racing tyre, laser-carved with a tribute to the city, will be on display alongside a 1973 Ford Mustang convertible from ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ‘Bandit’. The Dream Cruise weekend will also feature new remote-controlled mini blimps, with further details to be announced on social media. The event honours Detroit engineers who once raced along Woodward Avenue, and Goodyear’s ties to the city date back to the early 1900s when Henry Ford collaborated with the company.

The Motor City Garage exemplifies Goodyear’s broader transformation, which includes approximately 1,500 new products planned for 2026 and a focus on higher-performance tyres. As the only major tyre manufacturer headquartered in United States, based in Akron, Ohio, Goodyear is striving to become more consumer-focused and digitally connected. The company also offers mobile installation service in 28 markets, including Detroit, allowing for tyre servicing at customer locations. Woodward Avenue remains a symbolic stretch where millions of Goodyear tyres have left their mark.

Mark Stewart, CEO, Goodyear, said, "Some of the best vehicles in the world have been laying down Goodyear rubber in Detroit since Henry Ford put them on his 999 race car in 1901. From track to tarmac to trail, Goodyear makes tyres worth bragging about, and we'll be doing just that during the Woodward Dream Cruise. Whether you're an enthusiast looking for ultra-high performance or just need help picking the best tyres to get your SUV through the school pick-up line, we're looking to show you how easy Goodyear can make vehicle care. Detroit's car culture makes it the perfect place to showcase our new retail concept alongside our Mobile Garage service that can install tyres and service your vehicle right in your driveway."

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Bridgestone India, a subsidiary of Japan’s Bridgestone Corporation, has marked three decades of operations in the country with a commemorative ceremony in New Delhi. The event functioned as a strategic review of the company’s deep-rooted presence in the region, bringing together a wide array of automotive executives, government officials and supply-chain collaborators. Senior management used the occasion to reaffirm the organisation's long-term commitment to the subcontinent, highlighting the mutual growth achieved through sustained industrial cooperation.

The ceremony was elevated by the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to India, H.E. ONO Keiichi, who acted as the guest of honour for the evening. His attendance underscored the diplomatic and economic importance of the bilateral ties that have supported the company’s expansion. During the proceedings, Bridgestone formally acknowledged the critical role played by its local allies and manufacturing partners, whose operational support has been fundamental to navigating the competitive Indian automotive landscape over the decades.

While the celebrations looked towards the future, they also provided a moment to evaluate the company’s evolutionary path within the country. The initial foray into India began with commercial activities in 1996, but the true industrial footprint was established two years later when production commenced at the Pithampur complex in Madhya Pradesh. Subsequent capacity enhancements, notably the 2013 addition of the Chakan facility near Pune, allowed the firm to scale its operations to meet the surging domestic demand for diversified tyre products.

In a bid to stay ahead of technological curves, Bridgestone inaugurated a specialised Satellite Technology Centre at its Pune site in 2025. This research hub is designed to localise the development of premium-grade tyres, concentrating on the entire lifecycle from raw material experimentation to final product engineering for Indian roads. This strategic move is intended to embed advanced research capabilities directly within the local manufacturing ecosystem, ensuring that regional offerings align with global ‘Dan-Totsu’ quality standards.

As the company transitions into its next operational decade, leadership is pivoting towards a robust agenda centred on sustainable transportation and digital mobility solutions. The firm currently supplies a comprehensive portfolio covering passenger vehicles, heavy-load trucks and off-road machinery, all engineered for local climatic and road conditions. With a strengthened technological base and a mature distribution network, Bridgestone India is positioning itself to be a primary catalyst in the country’s ongoing infrastructure modernisation and vehicular safety evolution.

H.E. ONO Keiichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India & the Kingdom of Bhutan, said, “Bridgestone India's 30-year journey is not merely the story of the growth of a company; it is also a symbol of the success of Japan-India economic cooperation. Since its establishment in 1996, the company has grown alongside the Indian market and has made significant contributions to India's industrial development and the evolution of mobility through its investments in plants in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.”

Ankit Asthana, IAS, Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation, said, “The story of Bridgestone in Madhya Pradesh is not merely the success of one company; it is an example of how visionary corporate leadership and responsive governance can together create lasting economic and social value. This collaboration has not only contributed to the company’s growth but has also strengthened the industrial ecosystem of our state by generating employment, supporting ancillary industries and promoting responsible manufacturing.”

Nobuyuki Tamura, Member of the Board, Representative Executive Officer, EAST CEO, Bridgestone Corporation, said, “The first 30 years established a strong foundation, and the next 30 years will create new possibilities. Throughout our journey in India, we have remained guided by our Mission, ‘Serving Society with Superior Quality’, and our commitment to creating value for society through safety, sustainability, innovation and quality. India today plays a significant role in Bridgestone’s regional and global growth strategy. Looking ahead, we will further strengthen our commitment to India, including through the previously announced passenger car tyre expansion plan, preparations for which are already underway, while continuing to enhance our R&D capabilities to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of the Indian market. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we will continue to innovate, grow and contribute to a safer, more sustainable and more connected future of mobility.”

Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, said, “Bridgestone India has contributed to India's growth through investment, employment generation, manufacturing excellence, technology development, local sourcing and skill development. As we enter the next phase, our focus will remain on translating Bridgestone's global capabilities into locally relevant products and solutions, strengthening responsible manufacturing, deepening partnerships across the automotive value chain, and addressing the evolving needs of mobility, society and the environment.”

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The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., has confirmed its role as the official tyre supplier for a significant portion of the upcoming Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR), with 12 competing teams and 20 vehicles set to utilise its GEOLANDAR M/T G003 mud-terrain tyres. The 2026 edition of Asia’s largest cross-country rally is scheduled to take place from 10 to 15 August 2026. This announcement follows a dominant streak for the tyre manufacturer, as vehicles equipped with GEOLANDAR tyres have secured the overall championship in three of the last four rallies, with victories in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Among the prominent contenders receiving support is the defending champion, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which triumphed in 2025 and also claimed the title in 2022. The team is entering three Mitsubishi Triton pickup trucks for this year’s race, with a driver lineup that includes Chayapon Yotha, a two-time overall champion, Katsuhiko Taguchi and Kazuto Koide. The squad is aiming for consecutive victories on the Yokohama tyres.

Additional leading teams will also compete on the GEOLANDAR tyres, including TOYOTA GAZOO RACING INDONESIA, which previously achieved a championship and second-place finish in 2023 with its Toyota Fortuner. The roster of supported teams further includes the GEOLANDAR FORTUNER takuma-gp, driven by 2023 champion Takuma Aoki, the ISUZU SUPHAN TRANE TITANIUM YOKOHAMA NEXZTER RALLY TEAM, which is expanding to three vehicles after a fourth-place finish last year, and CUSCO Racing with two entries. Yokohama Rubber is also extending its support to diverse teams, including those featuring female drivers.

The GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tyre is distinguished by its robust and aggressive design, providing superior traction and durability across challenging off-road surfaces such as mud, gravel and sand. The tyre’s extended lifespan and reliable performance on varied terrain have been consistently validated in numerous international off-road competitions, reinforcing the brand’s reputation in the rally community.

The AXCR, first held in 1996 and officially sanctioned by the FIA, is a gruelling event comparable to the Dakar Rally. For 2026, the rally will be entirely hosted within Thailand, covering an approximate 2,000-kilometre route from Pattaya to Phitsanulok. Competitors will navigate a demanding assortment of landscapes, including mountainous regions, dense jungles, coastal beaches and agricultural plantations, testing both vehicle and tyre durability to the limit.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has launched Tire Finder, a digital tool on its website designed to streamline the tyre selection process. The platform offers a personalised recommendation system that guides each cyclist towards the most suitable Vittoria products based on individual riding profiles.

The tool operates by posing a structured series of queries regarding a rider’s preferred discipline, style, terrain, priorities and performance goals. Responses generate a tailored selection, complete with explanations for each recommendation, covering road, mountain bike, gravel, BMX and commuting applications. An additional Mix & Match feature enables customised front and rear combinations to enhance grip, rolling efficiency and control for specific performance targets.

Catering to novices purchasing their first tyres and experienced racers seeking specialised setups, Tire Finder simplifies the decision-making process. The system delivers a personalised configuration that prioritises the rider’s specific ambitions, ensuring an informed and efficient path to the ideal tyre arrangement.

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