[Nino]

Ajith Kumar Racing: From Racing Driver to Cine Star, and Back to Racing.

Reflecting the journey of the Kollywood cine star, Ajith Kumar’s journey to the 2025 FIA 24H endurance Series in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Category.



Yes you read the title right, While widely recognized as an actor Ajith Kumar’s (AK) journey in racing actually began long before his entry into the film industry.

Journey:

AK grew up watching motorsport racing at Sholavaram as few of fathers friends used to race back then in the 70's for Vijay Mallya’s team.

He started racing at the age of 18, raced motorcycles on and off until the age of 21 while also beginning his journey into the film industry. After his film Amaravathi in 1993 he underwent a surgery forcing him to take a break. While this was his initial days in the film industry the break led to not many film offers coming his way, hence deciding to focus on Cinema profession only.

In 2002 at the age of 32 he decided to get back to motorsport by participating in the Formula Maruti National Championship in India, did a respectable job and finished 4th in his last event.

Mr. Akbar Ebrahim played an important role in AK’s racing career. He has helped AK explore International motorsports and has handled his racing program.

Read more about the gentleman here (Akbar Ebrahim elected as new FMSCI President), thanks to BHPian ”dZired” for making a small documentation.

In 2003 AK participated in the formula BMW Asia championship where the races were held in 5 Asian countries.

In 2004 participated in British Formula 3 in the scholarship class, unfortunately couldn't complete the whole season due to commitments at work.

While these 3 years were mostly about finding his way back into racing, as during the above 2 seasons he was acting and participating in races at the same time finding it difficult to manage both he quoted back then “I find it difficult to be 100% at the throttle”



Later, AK got an opportunity to participate in the 2010 European Formula 2 season, with work commitments on his shoulder he participated only in a few races where he got to race in few of the wonderful circuits around the globe including the Monza, Silverstone and Marrakech.

During the recent years he was often found touring on his motorbike in various parts of the word. He still showcased his love for cars and bikes by performing motor stunts in his films, which were the only short glimpses his fans got to enjoy seeing their star unfiltered and in his favourite avatar.

His aspirations of travelling lead him to start a touring firm “Venus Motorcycle Tours” in 2023. His core ideology behind this was to get people to travel and this video is the best description of his ideology behind travelling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZpAOjCVlqc

2025 Season:

Fast forward to 2025, with not much motorsport action after the 2010 F2 season he is now set to return with his newly-formed team “Ajith Kumar Racing” in the FIA 24H Series in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Category

AK stays away from Social Media and through the limited interviews he has given over time, his vision was clearly rooted in enhancing the motorsport culture in India, and it's amazing to see that it's now coming to life.

Looking at the buzz now It’s evident that his participation in the Dubai 24 Hour series, whether he wins or not, represents a significant victory for the sport itself bringing a whole new set of audience hoping this naturally piques the interest of his fans, drawing their attention to the sport.

AK said way back around 2010 and I quote “While fans might initially tune in to watch me race, they will inevitably discover Indian motorsport icons like Narain Karthikeyan, Karun Chandhok, Armaan Ebrahim, and Parthiva Sureshwaren and as the sport gains more exposure, television channels are likely to step in to broadcast it live, making it accessible to a wider audience and encouraging more people to follow the sport, paving the way for its growth and popularity”

It’s definitely the time to grace the top two kollywood stars in the industry venture down distinct paths to follow their passions. Thalapathy Vijay has chosen to inspire the youth by stepping into politics with a vision for service and fresh perspectives in politics, while AK has embraced his dream of motorsports, captivating fans with his humility and simple lifestyle.

While I personally enjoy Thalapathy Vijay on the screen, I am a huge fan and admire AK as a person for inspiring lives through his values.

[discoverwild]

Currenty in the lead in the 992 Class with 8 more hours to go and 22nd overall.

[Rajeevraj]

I have felt his passion has first been motorcycling and motorsports for quite some time now. I think he still does movies because of his massive fan base and the supposed rivalry with Vijay( again mostly created by fans). I like him as an actor and a superstar, but his choice of films over the last several years has been average in my view.

Looks like now he is fairly clear on priorities. During the motorsport season he will only do that and will do films in the off season whenever possible. Not sure how feasible that is for a team owner.

[BoneCollector]

A fan of his movies and love his love for racing. He met with an accident during the practice sessions it seems a few days ago.

https://youtu.be/ayfgMrNBEWM?si=EdlCePpBZJla3QD8

[Nino]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

He met with an accident during the practice sessions it seems a few days ago.

You are right, he had an unfortunate crash during the practice run, following the incident.
The team, prior to the start of the race released a statement that while he will still serve as the owner of Ajith Kumar Racing with the Porsche 992 Cup (Car Number 901), but he will be competing as a driver for Ajith Kumar Racing by Razoon in the Porsche Cayman GT4 (Car Number 414).

Here is a video in his own words about the last minute change in the strategy,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k4Qlp0gKfc

[Laxmistart]

Finally finishes 23rd overall and clinching 3rd in 992 class
Visibly happy Ajith waying the Indian flag with pride.

[Nino]

Along with securing P3 in the 992 category, Ajith Kumar also received the "Spirit of the Race" award in the GT4 category.

While securing P3 in the race, it's definitely a P1 for the sport in India.

[kiku007]

Originally Posted by Nino

While securing P3 in the race, it's definitely a P1 for the sport in India.

Mr.Ajith Kumar is one of the few people from the film industry that I look up to. A truly self made man who has passionately chased his racing dreams with utmost humility. I wish Ajith Kumar Racing the very best.

He never really talks to the media, so it was good to hear him speak!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzOwMluZuTs

Source: https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/a...te-1.500015012

"Success is like a wild horse. If you can’t tame it, it will throw you off," said South Indian superstar and professional race car driver Ajith Kumar in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.

Question: I have twin sons, and one of them is a very sore loser. I keep putting them in sports, telling them that it’s the biggest leveler. You lose more than you win. Do you agree?

You don’t lose, you don’t win! I tell my children to get their education from school, learn communication skills, but the most important lessons come from traveling and indulging in sports. When you travel, you meet people from different walks of life, religions, and cultures. It broadens your perspective and teaches you empathy. There’s a famous quote: "Religion makes you hate people you have never met." It’s true. We tend to form opinions about people, countries, and races before meeting them. Travel teaches you how small the world is and how small we are in it. As for sports, it teaches you to handle success and failure with grace, which reveals your true personality.

[Aurora Zero]

Sadly enough we couldn't see him drive the 992 as he stepped off as one of the drivers mid race to drive the N. 414 GT4 Porsche but the original N. 919 raced beautifully and completed 3rd in its class. It was a very proud moment for us all I'll agree since India or any Indians very rarely dip their feet into the cold water topic of Motorsports and actually going to compete in an endurance race such as this. This was my second time watching a 24 hour race (first was the 2023 Le Mans) and I can certainly say that I enjoyed it very much.

[cooldip]

Thank you for bringing up a side of AK that I wasn't aware of. Great to see an actor with the resources chasing a very high risk project rather that isn't a media enterprise.

Just saw the AK Racing has finished on the podium. I'm surely going to follow AK racing's journey

[T.50s]

This information was surely not on my bingo card, but glad to see that there are actors who are genuinely interested in motorsports and not just for show.
Mr. Ajith Kumar is kind of like our own Steve McQueen.

[Nino]

AK Returns to racing with the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe Season 2025

Post the triumphant start after a 15 year gap, AK is back racing in the Club Division category in the Porsche Sprint Challenge.

Follow the Race here.

More information on the schedule here