Motorsport fans in India! Here's something exciting. Citroen just announced its entry into India's racing scene as the official car partner for the 28th edition of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship (JKNRC) 2025. As part of this, the Citroen Basalt will serve as a safety car and other of their models will take part in live showcases and stunt performances. Here's everything you need to know about it:
If you've ever watched a race, you must have spotted a car that leads the pack before lights out or comes out in action whenever there's a crash on track. That's a safety car. Its job is simple: slow things down, keep drivers safe, and make sure the race restarts smoothly.
The real showstopper here is the Citroen Basalt, which will now take up safety car duties at the Madras Motor Race Track (MMRT). That means every time the grid forms up or a yellow flag situation arises, it's the Basalt that will lead the pack.
But Citroen isn't stopping at just safety car work. The Basalt and other models from its lineup will also be part of live stunt and drift demos. So, while racers battle it out for glory, the Basalt gets a stage of its own to flex its handling in front of motorsport fans in the galleries.
Citroen is no stranger to motorsport. From its first rally car in the 1930s to winning nine Drivers' Championships and eight Constructors' titles in the World Rally Championship. The carmaker will use this motorsport as a testing ground for their mechanicals that later could be derived into their road cars. This new partnership between Citroen and JK Tyres is set to bring the global four-wheel enthusiast track experience to our shores.
This feels like a smart little power play from Citroen. While motorsport in India might still be niche, the energy around it is growing every season. By putting the Basalt in the safety car spotlight and throwing in some live stunts on the side, Citroen is shaking off its 'family car only' image and adding some real adrenaline to the brand. For petrolheads, it's a wink at Citroen's global racing pedigree; for everyday folks, it simply makes the Basalt look a whole lot cooler.
What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments.