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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ZC Rubber is showcasing an extensive selection of industrial and off-the-road tyre solutions at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 trade show, being held from 3 to 7 March 2026 in Las Vegas. Attendees can visit the company at booth #N11041 in the North Hall to explore products from its key brands, including WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU. These offerings are specifically engineered to withstand the rigorous demands of sectors such as construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling.

The display features a comprehensive range of products, such as radial OTR tyres, agricultural tyres, forest tyres, material handling tyres and rubber tracks. Each product is designed to deliver durability, superior traction and operational efficiency in challenging work environments. The exhibition provides an important platform for ZC Rubber to engage with industry professionals, highlight its technological advancements and demonstrate its commitment to supporting global construction and industrial sectors with reliable, high-performance solutions.

Visitors can explore the lineup and speak with the team to learn how these tyre solutions can enhance productivity across a wide variety of applications.

Benjamin Lou, Global OTR Director, ZC Rubber, said, “CONEXPO brings together the people and machines that keep the world building, and it’s a great place for us to connect with customers face-to-face. With brands like WESTLAKE, TIANLI, ARISUN and YONGGU under one roof, we’re able to offer a true one-stop tyre solution across construction, agriculture, forestry and material handling. Our goal is simple – help customers find the right tyre for every job, all in one place.”

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Bridgestone Corporation has announced a significant advancement in environmental research with the development of an industry-first vehicle collection method for tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) specifically from truck and bus tyres. This innovation is designed to enhance scientific understanding of how such particles may interact with the environment. Tyre and road wear particles are generated through the friction between a tyre’s tread and the road surface – a process essential for vehicle safety and comfort – and consist of a combination of worn tyre material and fragments of road pavement. The newly developed collection method for trucks and buses was also showcased at the Tire Technology Expo 2026, held from 3 to 5 March in Hannover, Germany.

The company had previously introduced a collection method for passenger car tyres in 2025 and has since been working to improve its efficiency. Applying insights gained from that earlier development, particularly regarding how particles are generated and dispersed, Bridgestone created a proprietary system tailored to the larger scale of truck and bus tyres. To ensure the accuracy of the collected samples, the company used a dedicated proving ground designed to replicate real-world driving conditions. Before each test, the track was meticulously cleaned to prevent contamination from pre-existing debris.

For the collection process, Bridgestone engineered suction devices and intake mechanisms compatible with larger tyres. A sturdy aluminium frame was used to construct the tyre cover, ensuring durability against strong winds during operation. Following controlled driving sessions, particles that remained both on the track surface and inside the tyre cover were gathered for analysis.

This effort is part of a broader commitment to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of tyre wear particles and their potential environmental effects. Bridgestone participates in the Tire Industry Project (TIP) facilitated by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and collaborates with external research organisations and corporate partners. With the ability to collect samples from both passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks and buses, the company aims to accelerate research, share findings widely and support efforts to reduce particle generation.

Alongside this research, Bridgestone is advancing several complementary initiatives. These include developing longer-lasting tyres with improved wear resistance, offering solutions that help customers lower total operating costs and working to minimise environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle.

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UTAC, a prominent player in the automotive testing, inspection and certification sector, is significantly broadening its footprint in China. The company has unveiled plans for a cutting-edge proving ground in Huainan, situated in the central province of Anhui. This ambitious project is being developed through a collaboration with the Huainan City Government and is set to become the primary strategic hub for the UTAC Group’s operations within the country. By establishing this facility, UTAC aims to bolster the mobility industry with top-tier testing capabilities and specialised knowledge.

The new site will enable UTAC’s team of specialists to offer homologation and testing services that align with the most current international benchmarks and regulatory standards. This initiative is a direct continuation of the group’s overarching goal to foster a mobility landscape that is both safer and more environmentally friendly. The Huainan facility is designed to be comprehensive, featuring a variety of specialised tracks for vehicle testing, along with a technology park that includes rentable workshops and office spaces. It will also house a dedicated conference and exhibition centre and purpose-built laboratories outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. These labs will be specifically geared towards testing the latest advancements in new energy vehicles.

Anhui province itself provides a rich environment for such an investment. Home to 70 million people, it hosts a dense and extensive mobility ecosystem. Major automotive manufacturers like BYD, Changan, Chery, JAC, NIO and Volkswagen, together with their extensive supply networks, are deeply embedded in the region. The province’s manufacturing prowess is underscored by its production of roughly 3.7 million vehicles in 2023, a figure that positions Anhui as China’s leader in overall vehicle manufacturing, new-energy vehicle production and vehicle exports. Consequently, the new proving ground in Huainan is poised to become a vital strategic component for UTAC, solidifying its presence in this central hub of the Chinese mobility industry.

Connor McCormack, CEO, UTAC, said, " We are extremely proud of our partnership with the city of Huainan, which is undergoing a significant transformation to support the future of the automotive industry. UTAC is delighted to contribute to this transformation and to bring our 100 years of specialist expertise, along with the European standards we have helped shape and validate, to China’s vital automotive sector.”

Mayor Zhang Zhiqiang of Huainan City said, “This represents a significant milestone in Huainan's efforts to accelerate the development of its intelligent connected vehicle industry. It is of great importance in bridging the critical gap in the regional automotive sector’s industrial chain of ‘testing-production-export' and establishing a specialised vehicle testing and certification platform with international recognition. The successful cooperation on this project will undoubtedly advance the high-end and intelligent transformation of the regional automotive industry, providing strong impetus for Anhui Province's efforts to foster a new energy vehicle industrial cluster with international competitiveness.”

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DUNLOP Tyre Europe GmbH (DUNLOP) is preparing to introduce its latest innovation, the BLUE RESPONSE TG, an all-new summer tyre engineered to advance safety, efficiency and driving dynamics. This model marks a significant milestone as the first DUNLOP summer tyre developed by Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) and will make its official debut this weekend at the Circuito de Sevilla in Spain. The 4.2-kilometre track, known for its 16 corners and lengthy 822-metre straight, provides a demanding environment ideal for showcasing the tyre’s capabilities. Under the theme ‘the art of perfect balance’, the BLUE RESPONSE TG will undergo rigorous evaluation on the Spanish circuit to demonstrate its well-rounded performance.

A dynamic launch event has been arranged to give 120 attendees, including customers, journalists and influencers, a firsthand look at the tyre’s abilities across multiple conditions. Participants will engage in slalom exercises on both dry and wet surfaces, while braking and obstacle avoidance drills will highlight stopping power and responsiveness. Handling assessments will allow for direct comparison with rival products, focusing on cornering stability and steering accuracy. Additional tests will examine comfort and noise levels, emphasising rolling smoothness and sound reduction, as well as efficiency, showcasing lower rolling resistance and reduced fuel consumption. The experience will be complemented by guided road drives and track laps, offering a thorough perspective on the tyre’s dynamic qualities.

To illustrate the versatility of the BLUE RESPONSE TG, the test fleet includes a diverse selection of modern vehicles. Among them are the Audi e-tron, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz EQE, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Toyota GR Yaris and Nissan GT-R R35, spanning from premium electric cars to high-performance sports machines. Developed specifically for contemporary vehicle platforms, the tyre integrates an advanced tread design, a novel rubber compound and a reinforced construction. These elements work together to deliver precise handling, short braking distances, strong wet grip and low rolling resistance, catering to drivers seeking safety, comfort and stability in both routine travel and more demanding scenarios.

Markus Bögner, President and Managing Director, DUNLOP Tyre Europe, said, “This is our first DUNLOP event since the acquisition, which is precisely why the launch of our summer tyre is so important to us. Direct interaction with customers and the media here on site is crucial for us, as it is the only way we can hear their perspectives and continue to develop in a targeted manner.”

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