Best Race Tracks in India - BIC and More

Motorsports may seem like a fresh cuisine in India, but the country’s fascination with speed has roots going all the way back to 1904. That’s when the Motor Union of Western India flagged off the country’s very first motorsport event. A hundred years later, the 2000s brought that spark roaring back for a full-blown racing fever. With homegrown F1 drivers like Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok making waves, India finally hosted its own Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in 2011. Tickets worth ₹1.25 crores sold out in just three hours on BookMyShow; yes, that’s how fast India warmed up to Formula One.

What began as a niche hobby is now growing into a serious motorsport culture. International events like Formula One and MotoGP have given Indian racing fans something to cheer for, while professional circuits have turned into full-scale venues built to global standards. So, let’s dive into the heart of India’s racing scene, taking a look at the best race tracks in India, including India’s flagship track, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).

Buddh International Circuit (BIC) – Best Racing Track in India

Buddh International Circuit (BIC) is a world-class racing facility in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, which is built by the Jaypee Group. It is a 5.125 km racing circuit designed by famed German architect Hermann Tilke, opened in October 2011 at a cost of about 3500 crore INR. It sits in Jaypee Sports City, a large sports complex north-east of New Delhi. 

A subsidiary of the Jaypee Group secured the Formula One hosting and promotional rights for five years starting in 2011. The inaugural race attracted immense global attention, with six-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel setting the fastest lap record. 

Hence, BIC became responsible for bringing Formula One to India, putting the country on the international motorsports map, and earning global recognition.

However, due to tax complications and logistical challenges, the partnership ended after just three seasons, with the last Formula One Grand Prix race held in 2013.

Track Specifications and Layout

• The BIC circuit is 5.125 km long, encompassing 16 turns in a traditional clockwise configuration, combining long straights with technical corners.
• A standout element is the high-speed challenging double-apex “banked” curve, nicknamed the “Currybolica”, a tribute to Monza’s famed Parabolica.
• The main straight stretches about 1.06 km, making it one of the longest among F1-style circuits and enabling top speeds of over 320 km/h.
• The track features a smooth asphalt surface along with excellent safety infrastructure, helping it achieve the FIA Grade 1 (suitable for Formula One) and FIM Grade A (for MotoGP).

Events Hosted at BIC

• Formula One Indian Grand Prix (2011–2013)
• Asia Road Racing Championship (2016)
• MotoGP Bharat (2023)

Beyond the glitz of F1 and MotoGP, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) stays alive with homegrown action. It plays host to some of India’s most prominent domestic motorsport events, including JK Tyre’s National Racing Series, the MRF F1600, as well as the MRF Challenge, the Volkswagen one-make, the Tata Prima T1 Truck Racing Series, and the National Motorcycle one-make series.

The Buddh International Circuit also opens its gates for Track Days, where manufacturers come in to test new cars, unveil fresh models, or put on show runs for fans. You’ll often spot superbikes tearing down the straights too, as motorcycle brands and racing schools hold one-day training camps and riding sessions here.

Notable Records

As for lap records, Sebastian Vettel still holds the bragging rights. Back in 2011, he clocked the fastest race lap at 1:27.249 in his Red Bull RB7. He also secured pole position during qualifying with a blistering lap time of 1:24.178.

Awards

After racing on the 16-turn layout, many F1 drivers hailed the Buddh International Circuit as “one of the best modern circuits in the world.” 

The FIA itself took note, awarding BIC the Best Promoter Trophy two years in a row (2011 and 2012) during its annual prize gala. That’s not all; in 2011, the circuit also bagged the Motorsport Facility of the Year at the Professional Motorsport World Expo, cementing its place on the global motorsport map.

Public Access and Experience

Roughly 40 to 50 km from New Delhi, the Buddh International Circuit is a quick drive down the Yamuna Expressway. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is the nearest major airport, which makes it pretty convenient if you are flying in for an event. While F1 weekends are big-ticket affairs, there are still plenty of other ways to experience the circuit.

• Spectator Access: BIC can seat around 1.2 lakh fans, with grandstands overlooking the main straight and several high-action corners. Hospitality suites, corporate boxes and a Media Centre are included. During major races, spectators can buy tickets that grant access to the stands and, in some cases, paddock zones. Prices usually start from just a few hundred rupees for general entry, climbing higher for premium spots.

• Track Days & Schools: BIC organises occasional public track days and driving/riding programs. For instance, KTM India runs a one-day motorcycle training camp that includes classroom sessions and guided laps on the track. Various car and motorcycle clubs also offer BIC track-day packages. If you really want to experience a track day in style, something like a used Porsche makes for an incredible option.

• Tours & Rentals: Behind-the-scenes tours occasionally run during non-event periods. These might include pit-lane walks, a glimpse inside team garages, and sometimes even a passenger lap with a professional driver. Manufacturers occasionally organise such experiences for fans and media.

• Costs: Pricing for track experiences varies by package. Entry-level track days are reasonably accessible, while full-day corporate events or private bookings come at a premium. That said, all sessions require a valid driving or riding license, and safety gear is non-negotiable.

Other Popular Racing Tracks in India

While the Buddh International Circuit leads the way in the list of best race tracks in India, the country has no shortage of other exciting tracks that have shaped the country’s motorsport scene.

Madras International Circuit (MIC) Chennai

The Madras Motor Race Track, now called the Madras International Circuit, is one of the most iconic race tracks in India. Opened in 1990, it’s the oldest permanent racetrack that has been the breeding ground for India’s top racing talent for over three decades. 

Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) exercises ownership over this 3.717 km track that features 17 corners, offering a balanced mix of speed and skill. 

MIC has been responsible for holding regular national championships in both two and four-wheeler formats. You’ve likely heard of the MRF Challenge. MMRR hosted it for years, along with touring car events and rounds of the Asia Road Racing Championship. 

In 2024, MMSC launched a brand-new 1.2 km karting circuit, MIKA, at the same venue, with none other than F1 legend Mika Häkkinen doing the honours at the inauguration.

Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore

Named in honour of Indian racing pioneer S. Karivardhan, the Kari Motor Speedway is a 2.1 km track located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The track winds through 15 technical corners, making it a favourite among grassroots racers and driving schools.

What used to be an old glider airstrip was transformed into an FIA Grade 4 track in 2003, supporting cars up to Formula 3 levels. 

Since 2017, the circuit has served as the annual venue for Formula Bharat, an FSAE-style student engineering competition. It has also recently hosted inaugural rounds of both the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the F4 Indian Championship in 2024.

CoASTT Racing Track, Coimbatore

While currently under development, CoASTT is one of India’s most ambitious private racing facilities to be made available.

CoASTT, short for the Coimbatore Autosports and Transport Trust, is designed by global circuit specialists Apex Circuit Design. The track features a 3.72 km layout that’s fast, flowing, and full of elevation changes, a nod to the classic European racetracks. 

Once fully operational, it will join Buddh International Circuit as one of only two tracks in India eligible to host events up to Formula 2 and all classes of motorcycle racing. 

There’s also a 1.0 km karting track, a long pit building with 33 garages, a race control tower, and a medical facility in place. The track has already begun hosting private testing and limited sessions, with full-fledged events expected to happen soon.  

Aamby Valley Air Strip (Maharashtra)

Ever heard of the Valley Run? Yes, India’s premier drag racing event that draws racers and fans from across the country. The event takes place in the scenic Sahyadri hills near Pune, on a 2.8 km private airstrip known as the Aamby Valley Air Strip.

In fact, in April 2025, Indian drag legend Hemanth Muddappa clocked a sub-9.5 second quarter-mile at this very strip, defeating the reigning US world champion and setting the internet on fire.

While a drag racing heaven during special events, Aamby Valley also occasionally plays host to drifting contests, stunt showcases, and festival-style automotive gatherings.

Marque One Racing Circuit -  Upcoming India’s Longest Racetrack  (Andhra Pradesh)

The Marque One Racing Circuit is an ambitious private circuit project under development. 

Planned near Vijayawada, what was originally proposed as a 3.4 km track, was updated with a 5.5 km Grade 2 circuit plan (longer than BIC!) that accommodates a 1.1 km straight. It will have 18 turns, up to 40 m elevation change, and facilities including a drag strip, skid pad and pit garages. It aims to be India’s longest circuit. (Initial target opening was ~2025, but construction has been delayed.)

Go-Karting Tracks in India

If you're looking to dive into the world of motorsports, there’s no better place to start than go-karting. It’s the foundation of competitive racing, and it’s not just for kids. Across India, karting has grown into a thriving motorsport culture with tracks designed for both casual fun and serious racing.

Many of India’s top racers, including Formula One’s very own Narain Karthikeyan, began by gripping a kart’s tiny steering wheel long before jumping into race cars.

Today, nearly every metro city in India has at least one karting facility. Some even host competitive championships, while others offer a fun weekend escape with friends or family.

Here are some of the most prominent go-karting circuits across the country:

• MIKA (Madras International Karting Arena), Chennai 
• Kari Motor Speedway Kart Track, Coimbatore
• Mohite Racing Academy, Kolhapur 
• Meco Kartopia, Bengaluru
• Chicane Circuit, Hyderabad

Popular Recreational Karting Spots

If you're just looking to have some fun behind the wheel, these venues are perfect for a casual race day:

• IndiKarting, Pune
• Marina Kart Arena, Chennai
• Kartainment, Hyderabad

Off-Road Track

Off-road tracks are paradises to drivers who prefer dirt over asphalt and jumps over hairpins. And when it comes to off-road tracks, one of the leading names is Big Rock MotoPark. Owned and operated by Dakar Rally finisher CS Santosh, this facility just outside Bengaluru is India’s largest and most advanced off-road training centre. 

With purpose-built trails, jumps, technical sections, and professional instructors, Big Rock is where both amateurs and seasoned riders go to sharpen their off-road skills.