Madras International Circuit
Location
Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India
Current Local Time
Track Info
Madras International Circuit - Irungattukottai, India
India's first purpose-built permanent racing circuit - commonly known as MMRT and home to national car, motorcycle and single-seater competition
When was the track built?
The Madras Motor Sports Club began organising races at Sholavaram Airstrip in 1953. The temporary airfield course became an important centre for Indian motorsport but could not provide the permanent facilities required by modern racing.
When Sholavaram closed, the club built a dedicated circuit at Irungattukottai. The new track opened in 1990 and became India's first purpose-built permanent racing circuit.
Why is it also called MMRT?
The venue was originally known as the Madras Motor Race Track, shortened to MMRT. It has also been called the Irungattukottai Race Track because of its location.
In July 2022, it was renamed Madras International Circuit, or MIC. Many drivers and supporters still use the familiar MMRT name.
What's the circuit like?
- Fast and technical: Quicker sections are connected by slower corners where accurate braking and strong acceleration are essential.
- Mostly flat: Drivers rely on braking markers and trackside references because there are few large hills to help identify each corner.
- Linked corners: A poor line through one bend can reduce speed through the next part of the lap.
- Hot conditions: Chennai's heat and humidity place extra pressure on drivers, riders, tyres, engines and cooling systems.
What races here?
- MRF Formula cars: Formula 2000, Formula 1600 and other single-seaters provide some of the circuit's fastest regular racing.
- Indian Touring Cars: Modified production-based cars compete in national championship races.
- Formula LGB: Lightweight Indian-built single-seaters offer relatively affordable and closely matched competition.
- Motorcycle racing: National championships include professional, production-based and manufacturer-supported classes.
- One-make and drag racing: Selected meetings feature identical cars or motorcycles, while separate events focus on straight-line acceleration.
What international events have raced here?
Madras has hosted Asian Formula 3, Formula 4, Formula Regional-style machinery and the Asia Road Racing Championship. It has also welcomed international drivers through the MRF Challenge and Indian Racing Festival.
The circuit received FIA Grade 2 certification in 2014 and was resurfaced in 2018 as part of its continuing development.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Full-circuit race benchmark: 1:30.323 - Yuven Sundaramoorthy in a Dallara Formulino Pro, 2020.
- Sports-prototype benchmark: 1:30.681 - Rishon Rajeev in a Wolf GB08 Thunder, 2022.
- Formula 4 full circuit: 1:36.496 - Cooper Webster in a Mygale M21-F4, 2023.
- Formula 4 Club Circuit: 56.257 - Cooper Webster in a Mygale M21-F4, 2023.
The main and Club circuits have different lengths and corner combinations. Testing, qualifying and race laps also use different conditions, so their times should not be compared directly.
What else is at the venue?
The complex includes permanent pit garages, paddock areas, hospitality facilities and spaces used for testing and driver training. Manufacturers also hire the circuit to evaluate road and racing vehicles.
The neighbouring Madras International Karting Arena opened in 2024. Its 1.2 km track provides a pathway for young drivers beginning their motorsport careers.
Why go?
Madras International Circuit is closely connected to the development of Indian motorsport. Many of the country's leading car and motorcycle racers have trained or competed here.
National meetings normally include several categories, giving newcomers repeated short races and a chance to compare single-seaters, touring cars and motorcycles during one weekend.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main grandstand: Best for race starts, pit-lane activity, grid preparation and the chequered flag.
- Opening corners: Good for crowded first laps, braking mistakes and early overtaking attempts.
- Technical middle section: Watch drivers and riders rapidly change direction through connected corners.
- Final corner: Best for seeing competitors fight for traction before accelerating along the main straight.
- Paddock: Useful for viewing the vehicles and team preparation when public access is included.
Madras International Circuit is at Irungattukottai near Sriperumbudur, beside the Chennai-Bengaluru highway and opposite the Hyundai factory. Driving is normally the simplest way to reach the venue. Event passes, entrances, viewing areas and paddock access vary, so check the organiser's current information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Madras International Circuit / MMRT (India)
Madras International Circuit, commonly still called MMRT, is in Irungattukottai near Sriperumbudur on the western outskirts of Chennai. Driving or taking a taxi is the easiest way to visit, while public buses serve the surrounding industrial area for visitors travelling without a car.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is the simplest way to reach MIC because the venue is directly beside the main Chennai–Bengaluru highway.
- From Chennai: travel west towards Poonamallee and Sriperumbudur on the Bengaluru highway.
- Landmark: the circuit is opposite the large Hyundai factory at Irungattukottai.
- Navigation: search for “Madras International Circuit” or “MMRT Irungattukottai”.
- Race weekends: allow plenty of additional time because traffic leaving Chennai and around the industrial area can be heavy.
The official address is Madras International Circuit, Chennai–Bangalore Highway, opposite Hyundai Factory, Irungattukottai, Chennai 602117.
Bus & public transport
There is no metro or passenger railway station directly at the circuit, but buses do serve Irungattukottai and Sriperumbudur.
- Travel towards Poonamallee or Sriperumbudur from Chennai.
- Continue on an MTC service towards Irungattukottai.
- Get off in the Irungattukottai or Hyundai factory area and complete the final journey on foot, by auto-rickshaw or taxi depending on your stop.
Current services through Irungattukottai include routes in the 549, 565 and 578 families, but timetables and stopping patterns can change. For a first visit, a taxi is much simpler.
Coming by train
MGR Chennai Central is the most useful mainline railway station for visitors arriving from other Indian cities, but it is still a long road journey from the circuit.
- From Chennai Central: a taxi or ride-hailing service is the easiest direct option.
- Public transport: use Chennai's metro or buses to move west towards Poonamallee before changing for services towards Sriperumbudur.
- With luggage: a direct taxi is normally much more convenient than several bus changes.
Do not choose a hotel near Chennai Central solely because you are attending the circuit; staying farther west can significantly reduce your race-day journey.
Flying in
Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the nearest major airport and the circuit's official rally guide places MIC around 35 km away.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: the easiest direct option from the airport.
- Rental car: useful if you are comfortable driving locally and will be travelling elsewhere around Tamil Nadu.
- Public transport: possible, but there is no single metro or bus connection from the airport to the circuit.
Journey time depends heavily on Chennai traffic, so allow a generous margin when travelling between the airport and an event.
Parking
Madras Motor Sports Club provides dedicated parking for spectators at MIC.
- Spectator parking: free car and two-wheeler parking is available near the spectator gallery for pass or ticket holders.
- Competitors: teams use separate paddock parking inside the circuit.
- Large events: follow marshals and temporary signage because access routes can change.
- Event passes: MMSC currently offers free spectator passes for many of its racing events, subject to availability and registration.
Free spectator passes are not guaranteed simply by registering, so check the individual event page before travelling.
Where to stay
Sriperumbudur is usually the most convenient base for a race weekend, while Chennai provides a much larger choice of accommodation.
- Sriperumbudur: closest practical town, with several hotels serving the surrounding industrial area.
- Irungattukottai: very close to MIC but accommodation choices are more limited.
- Western Chennai: a useful compromise if you want easier access to the city without travelling from the centre every morning.
- Central Chennai: best for sightseeing, but expect a significantly longer race-day journey.
MMSC's event guides regularly recommend accommodation around Sriperumbudur and the nearby industrial corridor.
Understanding the circuit
Madras International Circuit is one of the most important venues in Indian motorsport and was the country's first purpose-built permanent race track.
- Opened: 1990.
- Former name: Madras Motor Race Track, commonly shortened to MMRT.
- Current name: Madras International Circuit since 2022.
- Main circuit: 3.717 km with 12 turns.
- Club circuit: 2.067 km with seven turns.
- Licence: FIA Grade 2.
Both layouts run clockwise. The complex now also includes the separate Madras International Karting Arena.
Race-day tips
- Search both names: MMRT is still commonly used even though the official name is Madras International Circuit.
- Arrive early: Chennai–Bengaluru highway traffic can make journey times unpredictable.
- Register for spectator access: free passes may be available, but numbers can be limited.
- Prepare for the heat: Chennai is hot and humid for much of the year, with many exposed spectator areas.
- Carry water and sun protection: particularly for daytime race meetings.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for children and spectators close to the circuit.
For a first visit, staying around Sriperumbudur and using a taxi or car is the easiest plan. If you stay in central Chennai, leave much earlier than the distance alone might suggest.
Event passes, parking entrances, bus services and spectator arrangements can change between meetings. Check the official Madras Motor Sports Club event information and current MTC transport schedules before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Madras International Circuit / MMRT (Chennai, India)
Madras International Circuit - still widely known by its old MMRT name - is one of the foundations of Indian circuit racing. Cars and motorcycles have competed at this Irungattukottai venue for decades, while Chennai's museums, beaches and food plus the temples of Kanchipuram make it easy to add sightseeing to a race weekend.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Madras International Karting Arena: Located at the same motorsport complex, MIKA is a 1.2 km CIK-approved kart circuit used for competition and driver development. Check whether public sessions are available during your visit.
- Government Museum, Chennai: A large museum covering archaeology, art, natural history and South Indian heritage - useful when younger visitors need a quieter day indoors.
- Marina Beach: Chennai's famous Bay of Bengal waterfront is ideal for an evening walk, local snacks and watching city life after a day at the circuit.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Government Museum: Founded in 1851, this major Chennai collection is an easy introduction to the history and art of Tamil Nadu.
- DakshinaChitra: A heritage museum south of Chennai bringing together traditional homes, crafts and cultural traditions from across South India.
- Kanchipuram: Head west for historic Dravidian temples including Kailasanathar and Ekambareswarar, plus shops selling the city's famous silk sarees.
Eat & drink around Chennai
- Try a South Indian breakfast: Idli, dosa, vada and sambar are simple, inexpensive choices and widely available across Chennai.
- Filter coffee: Strong coffee mixed with hot milk is a local everyday favourite and an easy café stop before heading to the track.
- Look for biryani: Chennai has plenty of versions of this spiced rice dish, ranging from mild chicken biryani to richer regional styles.
- Kanchipuram idli: If you visit Kanchipuram, look for its distinctive seasoned version of the familiar steamed rice-and-lentil cake.
Get outdoors away from the circuit
- Marina Beach: Visit around sunrise or evening rather than the hottest part of the day and enjoy the long waterfront promenade.
- Covelong Beach: South of Chennai, this coastal village is known for beach activities and water sports and works well as part of a longer coastal outing.
Chennai is hot and humid for much of the year. Carry water, use sun protection and allow extra breaks during midday sightseeing.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Mahabalipuram: Explore UNESCO-listed Pallava monuments including rock-cut temples, giant reliefs and the Shore Temple beside the Bay of Bengal.
- Kanchipuram: Spend a half-day or full day visiting temples, historic streets and silk shops in one of Tamil Nadu's major heritage cities.
- Madras Crocodile Bank: Combine this reptile conservation centre with Mahabalipuram or the East Coast Road for a family-focused day south of Chennai.
Good to know during race weekends
- MMRT and MIC are the same venue: The track was officially renamed Madras International Circuit in 2022, but the older Madras Motor Race Track name is still commonly used.
- It has major Indian motorsport history: Opened in 1990, it became India's first permanent racing circuit after decades of competition on airfields such as Sholavaram.
- Check the exact event: Car championships, motorcycle racing, training days and karting use the complex differently, so tickets and spectator access can vary.
- Allow for Chennai traffic: Journey times between Irungattukottai and the central city can change considerably depending on the time of day.
- Bring hearing protection: Race cars and motorcycles are extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, spectator access, karting availability, attraction opening hours and transport arrangements can change - check current information before travelling.