Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) is an Indian motorcycle racing league. Unlike other leagues which are city-based, it is a franchise-based supercross league organised by Team SXI in collaboration with the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).[1][2] CEAT is the main sponsor of ISRL while Toyota Hilux is the official vehicle partner for Season1.[3] Frenchman, Jordi Tixier, a former World Motocross Champion (2018) won three races in the inaugural ISRL Round 1 held at Pune on 28 January 2024.[4][5] BigRock Motorsports won the team championship table after three rounds.[6]
The first round of the inaugural season was scheduled to begin at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi followed by another three rounds in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad from October to December 2023.[7] However, the calendar was cut short and the first round was successfully held at Pune on 28 January 2024. The second round was held at Ahmedabad. Big Rock Motorsports was leading the team championship after two rounds.[8][9]
The final round scheduled to be held at Delhi was shifted to Bengaluru due the farmers' strike in Delhi. Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor launched the ISRL on 1 June 2023 in New Delhi.[10] Earlier in November 2022, fmsci vice-president Gautham Shanthappa announced that the federation has signed an MoU granting rights to Team SXI.[11]
Former Supercross international racers brothers Eeshan Lokhande and Aashwin Lokhande, along with Veer Patel formed Supercross India Private Limited (Team SXI), the parent company of ISRL. The opening of rider registrations were announced on 20 July 2023 in Pune.[12]
Format
editThe first of the four categories will be the 450cc category, the premier class of supercross racing globally (this class is open only for international riders in the opening season). There are two 250cc categories one for international riders and a separate category for Indian and Asian riders. The final 85cc category is for riders between 11 and 14 years.[13]
Teams
editThe first team to acquire the franchise rights is BB Racing, owned by former racer Atul Chordia's Panchshil Reality of Pune.[14] SG Sports, the sports branch of APL Apollo Group, became the second franchise team, headed by Sanjay Gupta, CMD.[15] Dhrumil Patel, a Vadodara-based entrepreneur, along with Indian motorsport rally driver Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill have acquired the franchise rights for Gujarat Trailblazers, the third ISRL team.[16] BigRock Motorsport has been announced as the fourth franchise team for ISRL.[17] Popular Supercross Indian champion and the first Indian rider to complete Dakar Rally, CS Santosh will be heading the BigRock team.
History
editOne of the first Stadium motocross events was held in Los Angeles Coliseum in 1972, Jaipur hosted India's first stadium motocross event in 1977. Later in 1988, Pune hosted the inaugural round of the 250cc Rodil Trophy Stadium Motocross World Championship at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.[18] The Indian Grand Prix races for the 125cc and 250cc classes, were also held along with the Rodil Trophy, More recently, the Pune Invitational Supercross held five editions till 2019. The Indian Federation, fmsci, also conducts the MRF MoGrip National Supercross Championship annually.[19]
References
edit- ^ Kshatriya, Anish (2022-11-24). "Indian Supercross Racing League: World's first supercross league comes to India". Evo India. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League Launched: All The Details Explained - ZigWheels". ZigWheels.com. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ motorworldindia (2023-06-01). "Indian Supercross League". Motor World India. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Track, Auto (2024-01-29). "Jordi Tixier provides scintillating start to inaugural Indian Supercross League". Auto Track. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ "CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL): French Rider Jordie Tixier Clinches A Thrilling Victory". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ "Bigrock Motorsports Wins Inaugural Season Of Indian Supercross Racing League | Other Sports News". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
- ^ "First-of-its-kind the Indian Supercross Racing League Aims to Bring Much-needed Motorsport Revolution in India". News18. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Veera, Zubbin (2024-01-29). "BigRock Motorsport leads the Ceat Indian Supercross Racing League with podiums in all categories". Evo India. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "2024 TVS One Make Championship registrations open for women, rookies". Autocar India. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ "Indian Supercross Racing League inaugurated in New Delhi with pomp and fanfare". Hindustan Times. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Kshatriya, Anish (2022-11-24). "Indian Supercross Racing League: World's first supercross league comes to India". Evo India. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Achary, Neel (2023-07-20). "Ceat Indian Supercross Racing League Opens Rider Registration for the Mega Pool Auction". Business News This Week. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Indian Supercross Racing League to debut in October 2023". Autocar India. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Release, Press (2023-07-05). "CEAT Indian Supercross Racing League announces Panchshil Racing as the inaugural franchise team". thebridge.in. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "SG Sports – Indian Supercross Racing League". Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "Dhrumil Patel and Gaurav Gill acquire franchise team at Ceat ISRL". Financialexpress. 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Sur, Dipan (2023-10-06). "BigRock Motorsport becomes the fourth team to join the Ceat Indian Supercross Racing League". Evo India. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "Motocross racing takes root in India". India Today. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "MRF MOGRIP FMSCI National Supercross Championship – 2023 – FMSCI". Retrieved 2023-09-01.