Best way to get there

For most spectators, car, taxi or ride-hailing is the easiest way to reach Kari Motor Speedway. The track is at Chettipalayam, away from central Coimbatore, and there is no passenger railway station directly beside the circuit.

If you are travelling to Coimbatore by train, arrive at Coimbatore Junction and arrange a taxi for the final journey. Podanur Junction can also be useful if your particular train stops there.

Tip: Search specifically for “Kari Motor Speedway” rather than simply entering Chettipalayam, as the circuit is outside the main built-up area.

Driving & parking

• From central Coimbatore: head south towards Podanur and Chettipalayam, allowing roughly 30–40 minutes depending on traffic and your starting point.
• Navigation: use Kari Motor Speedway, Chettipalayam Road, Chettipalayam, Tamil Nadu 641201.
• Final approach: the circuit is in a semi-rural area, so follow navigation carefully once you leave the denser parts of Coimbatore.
• Parking: motorsport meetings normally provide vehicle access, but spectator parking locations can vary by organiser and event.
• Arrival: follow temporary event signs and marshals rather than assuming the normal track entrance is being used.

Major national events can create considerably more traffic than a normal track day, so arriving early is worthwhile.

Train & public transport

Coimbatore Junction is the most useful railway station for most visitors because it has the widest range of long-distance connections.

• Coimbatore Junction: use a taxi or ride-hailing service for the final journey to Chettipalayam.
• Podanur Junction: geographically closer to the southern side of the city and useful when your train is scheduled to stop there.
• Chettipalayam: do not currently plan your trip around a dedicated passenger station at the circuit.
• Local buses: services towards Chettipalayam are possible, but they are less convenient for a first-time race visitor than a direct taxi.

Check your actual train before travelling rather than assuming it stops at Podanur; many services use Coimbatore Junction as their main city stop.

Taxi & ride-hailing

• From Coimbatore Junction: a direct taxi is normally the simplest option, especially if you are carrying race-day bags.
• From Podanur: the shorter road transfer can be useful if your train stops there.
• Destination: give the driver “Kari Motor Speedway, Chettipalayam Road”.
• Return journey: arrange your pickup in advance after evening events, as fewer cars may be immediately available around the rural circuit.

Coimbatore airport

• Coimbatore International Airport (CJB): the nearest airport and the simplest choice for visitors flying to the circuit.
• Airport → circuit: approximately 25 km by road.
• Easiest option: taxi, ride-hailing service, private transfer or rental car.
• Public transport: airport buses are available towards the city, but travelling into Coimbatore and then back south to the circuit is less convenient than a direct road transfer.

About Kari Motor Speedway

Kari Motor Speedway opened in 2003 and is named in memory of Indian racer and race-car designer S. Karivardhan. It remains an important venue for Indian circuit racing and driver development.

• Main circuit: approximately 2.3 km.
• Corners: 16.
• Type: permanent paved racing circuit.
• Activities: car racing, motorcycle racing, testing, track days and karting.
• Recent event: Formula Bharat 2026 was held at the circuit in January.

Event-day tips

• Arrive early: national championship weekends can bring heavy traffic to the normally quiet roads around Chettipalayam.
• Prepare for the heat: carry water, sunscreen and a hat for daytime events.
• Check spectator access: not every private test or track booking is open to the public.
• Check parking: entrances and spectator vehicle areas may differ between race series.
• Plan your return: pre-booking a taxi is sensible if an event finishes late in the day.

Accessibility

If you require accessible parking, step-free spectator access or assistance at Kari Motor Speedway, contact the circuit or event organiser before travelling. Parking areas, grandstand access and spectator facilities can differ depending on the event.

Family-friendly highlights nearby

• Karting at Kari: The complex includes dedicated karting facilities, giving beginners and younger motorsport fans a much easier way to experience racing than the main circuit.
• Gedee Car Museum: A perfect companion to a race weekend, with classic cars from different countries showing how automotive design and engineering developed through the 20th century.
• Regional Science Centre: Interactive science displays make this a useful indoor stop for families, particularly during the hottest part of the day.

Culture & rainy-day stops

• Gass Forest Museum: Explore preserved plants, animals and forestry displays that introduce visitors to the biodiversity of the Western Ghats and southern India.
• Marudhamalai Temple: This important Murugan temple sits in the hills outside Coimbatore and combines religious significance with views over the surrounding landscape.
• Isha Yoga Center & Adiyogi: Visit the enormous 112 ft Adiyogi sculpture at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. Allow several hours if you also want to explore the wider centre.

Eat & drink like a local

• Kongunadu cuisine: Coimbatore sits in the Kongunadu region, where traditional cooking makes generous use of pepper, cumin, turmeric and coconut.
• Try local favourites: Look for arisi paruppu sadam, a simple rice-and-lentil dish, along with millet dosa, vada and country-chicken dishes.
• Central Coimbatore: Head towards Race Course, RS Puram or the city centre for the widest choice of restaurants, cafés and places to eat after the racing.

Get outdoors around Coimbatore

• Kovai Kutralam: Escape towards the Siruvani Hills for forest scenery and a waterfall. Access can depend on weather and forest conditions, so check before setting out.
• TNAU Botanical Garden: A quieter city option with extensive plant collections and space for an easy walk when you do not have time for a longer mountain trip.
• Western Ghats: Coimbatore sits beside one of India’s great mountain landscapes, making it a useful base for waterfalls, forest drives and hill-country trips.

Easy trips if you’re extending your stay

• Pollachi, Aliyar Dam & Monkey Falls: Head south for coconut-growing countryside, reservoir views and a popular waterfall on the road towards the Anamalai Hills.
• Valparai: Climb into the mountains through winding roads to tea estates, forests and viewpoints. It is best treated as a full-day trip or overnight stay.
• Ooty: Extend your visit into the Nilgiri Hills for cooler weather, gardens and mountain scenery. For something different, travel via Mettupalayam and investigate the heritage mountain railway.

Good to know on event weekends

• Check the calendar: Kari hosts everything from championship races to private bookings and public track sessions, so spectator access varies considerably.
• You can drive the circuit: The venue currently offers bookable open track days and shorter driving experiences when sessions are available.
• Prepare for heat: Coimbatore can be hot for much of the year. Water, sunscreen, a hat and light clothing are useful for long periods beside the circuit.
• Stay in Coimbatore: The city offers far more accommodation and dining than the immediate Chettipalayam area and gives you easier access to evening attractions.