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Category: Domestic
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Karna Kadur takes control of APRC with a comfortable lead: South India Rally
Chennai, 26 April 2025: Bengaluru ace Karna Kadur came up with a mature drive to open a sizable lead in theย FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship promoted by Vamcy Merla which is part of the Indu Chandhok Memorial 48thย South India Rally, here on Saturday. With only four Special Stages to be run on the morrow, Kadur and his co-driver Musa Sherif have victory in their sights.
Kadur leads his Arka Motorsports team-mate and the Delhi-Himachal Pradesh combination of Harkrishan Wadia and Kunal Kashyap by over a minute. In third place is their team-mate and former National champion Amittrajit Ghosh (Ashwin Naik) who nursed his patched-up Volkswagen Polo, a late replacement for his Mahindra XUV 300 which blew its engine during a test run a few days before the event.
In the INRC category of the Blueband Fmsci Indian National Rally Championship Round-1 powered by Vamcy Merla, Kadur leads Ghosh with Suhem Kabeer (Vinay Padmashali) in third spot.
About his performance today, Kadur said: โI was a bit conservative in the first loop, especially the first Special Stage (AAVISA) which had some small rocks on the road. In the second run, I did not hold back since I knew the terrain would have been swept clean by the cars. So, I was able to make over a minute on my own time. Tomorrow is another day, but I will try to hold position and push only if I must. The main goal is to bring the car home in one piece.โ
Two of the front-runners in the APRC, Jason Saldanha and Chetan Shivram had issues with their respective cars and lost time that saw them drop down the order. The other big disappointment was the retirement of Hyundai i20 which is making its debut in the Indian motorsports scene with Hyderabadโs Jeet Jhabakh packing up with a driveshaft problem but he is likely to rejoin the rally on Sunday, if the car is fully repaired.
Meanwhile, the competition in the National championship was as razor sharp as ever with positions changing by the minute while Bengaluru-based Tarushi Vikram displayed impressive pace to lead the Women INRC class.
Provisional, unaudited classifications (After Leg-1):
FIA-APRC/Overall: 1. Karna Kadur / Musa Sherif (Arka Motorsports) (01 hr, 05 min, 25.4 secs); 2. Harkrishan Wadia / Kunal Kashyap (Arka Motorsports) (01:06:34.2); 3. Amittrajit Ghosh / Ashwin Naik (Arka Motorsports) (01:06:39.8).
INRC: 1. Kadur / Sherif; 2. Ghosh / Naik; 3. Suhem Kabir / Vinay Padmashali (Pvt.) (01:09:03.9).
INRC2: 1. Wadia / Kashyap; 2. Philippos Matthai / Harish KN (Arka Motorsports) (01:06:51.3); 3. Fabid Ahmer / Milen George (Chettinad Sporting) (01:06:56.1).
INRC3: 1. Arnav Pratap Singh / Rohit N (SNAP Racing) (01:07:37.8); 2. Vishak B / Chiranth Jain (Chettinad Sporting) (01:07:52.8); 3. Abin Rai / Moideen Jasheer KM (Pvt.) (01:08:34.1).
INRC 3T (Turbo): 1. C Ramcharan / Vignesh Mahalingam (01:14:40.1).
Women INRC: 1. Tarushi Vikram / Vybhav Mukund Rao (01:11:51.0).
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Hyderabad star Stephen Rogers dominates 4W Drag Championship Round 1 & 2
Bengaluru, 21 April 2025: Hyderabad ace, Stephen Jyothi Rogers Pachigalla started his campaign in the Fmsci Indian National Drag Racing Championship 2025 (4-wheeler) with a grand triple crown in the premier Unrestricted class, besides setting a National record, as he topped the category in both first and second rounds held at the Taneja Aerospace, Hosur, last weekendย (April 18-20).
In the three-day event, promoted and organized by Speedway Motorsports and Vroom Motorsports, Pachigalla, driving an Audi R8 in the premier Unrestricted class, aced the highly competitive field, clocking 09.635 seconds for the 402-metre dash in Round 1 on Friday and improving it to 08.948 seconds in Round-2 on Sunday and setting a new National record in the process.
Pachigalla further underlined his status by winning the Indian Open M3 (Unlimited) category race on Sunday by clocking 08.955 seconds.
Later, in the Vroom Drag Meet, a support event, Pachigalla clocked 08.849 seconds to better the National record he had set earlier.
Meanwhile, veteran Vidyaprakash Damondaran from Coimbatore, the oldest participant at 80 years of age, and driving an Audi TT, remained unbeaten in the Pro-Stock 3061cc โ 4002cc class across both rounds.
The massive crowd was treated to exciting fare as Bengaluruโs Shreyas Mahendra won in three categories โ Pro-Stock 2051-2550c cc, Indian Open M1 and M2 โ in Round-1.
There were separate categories for petrol and diesel vehicles besides the Indian Open that was open to vehicles powered by either fuel.
Provisional results (winners only):
ROUND-1:
PETROL โ Unrestricted (N1): Stephen Jyothi Rogers Pachigalla (09.635secs). Pro-Stock K2 (1151cc โ 1450cc): Narayan Swamy (15.483s). PS K3 (1451cc โ 1650cc): Shaik Hussain Pasha (17.241s). PS K4 (1651cc โ 2050cc): Thrishal M.S (15.545s). PS K5 (2051cc โ 2550cc): Shreyas Mahendra (13.618). PS K7 (3061cc โ 4002cc): Vidyaprakash Damodaran (13.351s). PS K8 (4003cc โ 5100cc): Karthik KV (10.315s).
DIESEL – PS L4 (1651cc-2050cc): Naveen Reddy Kesara (13.749s). PS L6 (2551cc-3060cc): Aakash Durai (12.571s).
Indian Open M1 (Upto 2750cc): Shreyas Mahendra (12.963s). Indian Open M2 (Upto 4002cc): Shreyas Mahendra (13.259s). Indian Open M3 (Unlimited): Yajur Miglani (10.656s).
ROUND-2:
PETROL โ Unrestricted (N1): Stephen Jyothi Rogers Pachigalla (08.948s). PS K2 (1151cc โ 1450cc): Narayan Swamy (14.880s). PS K3 (1451cc โ 1650cc): Vinay SM (15.036s). PS K4 (1651cc โ 2050cc): Thrishal M.S (15.790s). PS K5 (2051cc โ 2550cc): Vijay Raju (13.846s). PS K7 (3061cc โ 4002cc): Vidyaprakash Damodaran (13.830s). PS K8 (4003cc โ 5100cc): Karthik KV (10.230).
DIESEL โ PS L4 (1651cc-2050cc): Naveen Reddy Kesara (13.624s). PS L6 (2551cc-3060cc): Aakash Durai (12.415).
Indian Open M1 (Upto 2750cc): Vijay Raju (14.195s). Indian Open M2 (Upto 4002cc): Vidyaprakash Damodaran (13.236s). Indian Open M3 (Unlimited): Stephen Jyothi Rogers Pachigalla (08.955s).
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Slideways Industries Gears Up for South India Rally; Reigning champ Shroff to miss Ro1
By Aniruddha Rangnekar
Pune, 21 April 2025: With over a decade of relentless passion and performance, Team Slideways Industries returns to the Blueband Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) for the 2025 season, ready to take on the dust, speed, and competition. Based in Pune and proudly backed by the Pinnacle Group, Slideways Industries has grown into a household name in Indian motorsport, known for its consistency, innovation, and champion pedigree.
The team will be fielding two cars for the Indu Chandhok Memorial 48th South India Rally, the opening round of the Blueband 2025 INRC season, set to take place in Chennai. Despite the absence of key drivers Daraius Shroff, Aniruddha Rangnekar, and Shivani Parmarโall sitting out this round due to personal commitmentsโSlideways is raring to go with a dynamic new lineup.
A Global Touch and a Youthful Spark
Adding an international flair to the rally is the Singapore-based husband-wife duo, Raguvaran V and Amanda Chew Jia Ying. The pair brings global experience and enthusiasm to the INRC, making them the only international entry in this edition of the rally.
Alongside them, promising young talent Tarushi Vikram from Chikkamagaluru will be piloting the second Slideways car, showcasing the teamโs commitment to nurturing new talent in Indian motorsport. Both entries are part of Slidewaysโ highly acclaimed Arrive & Drive programme in the INRC3 category.
Revolutionising Grassroots Rallying
Slideways Industries has been a pioneer of the Arrive & Drive format in India, offering aspiring racers a seamless entry into professional rallying. Under this program, the team handles everythingโfrom logistics, testing, and car prep to full service supportโso that drivers can focus solely on what they do best: driving. Itโs a one-of-a-kind initiative that has opened doors for both young hopefuls and motorsport enthusiasts to experience the thrill of INRC.
A Legacy of Champions
Over the years, Slideways Industries has built an enviable legacy. Their 2024 INRC3 Drivers Championship win with Mumbai’s Daraius Shroff is just one of the many accolades to their name. The team has also collaborated closely with Gaurav Gill, Indiaโs only Arjuna Awardee in motorsport and multiple Asia Pacific Rally Champion.
Their long-standing partnership with the Gaurav Gill Advanced Driving Academy further strengthens their grassroots impact, with Slideways drivers doubling up as instructors to groom the next generation of Indian rally stars.
Legends Behind the Wheel
Slideways has had some iconic names behind the wheel of their machines, including Karamjit Singh, the legendary multiple Asia Pacific Rally Champion, and Vikram Mathias, a stalwart of Indian rallying. These associations not only speak volumes about the teamโs engineering prowess but also about their stature within the motorsport community.
As the engines rev and the dust begins to rise in Chennai, Team Slideways Industries stands poised yet again to inspire, compete, and win. Watch this space as one of Indiaโs most-loved rally teams hits the ground running in the 2025 INRC season!
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To SIR with love: From Singapore Streets to South India Stages – Meet Rallyโs Newest Couple
CHENNAI, 21 April 2025: When you think of Singapore, you think of skyscrapers, spotless streets, and Formula 1’s Marina Bay Circuit. You donโt think of gravel roads, rally-spec cars, or jungle trails. But for husband-and-wife duo Raguvaran and Amanda, rallying is more than just motorsportโitโs a shared dream that’s defied borders, convention, and even geography.
This weekend, the duo will be making their competitive debut at the Indu Chandhok Memorial 48th South India Rally, the opening round of the Blueband 2025 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), representing Puneโs formidable Slideways Industries team. Theyโre the only international team on the entry listโand their journey here is as heartwarming as remarkable.
A Rally Dream Born on an Island Without Rallies
Singapore is a bustling city-state barely 49 km wide, where every inch of land is spoken for. Rallying there? Practically impossible. โThere were no rally events. Just no space,โ says Amanda, who caught the rally bug long before she ever got behind the wheel. โBut I always dreamed of co-driving.โ
After marrying Ragu, a motorsport volunteer since 2012 with some single-seater driving experience, the couple decided to give rallying a serious shot. โAmanda had this undying interest in rallies,โ Ragu smiles. โSo I said, โLetโs go for itโโthough I did hit pause when I saw what we were getting into at first!โ
Slideways Industries: The Launchpad
Their rally aspirations began to take shape when they connected with Slideways Industries, one of Indiaโs most respected rally outfits. With over a decade in the sport and a reputation for nurturing talent through its arrive-and-drive programme, the team gave Amanda and Ragu just what they needed: a fully-prepped rally car, professional training, and logistical support. โAll we had to do was show up and drive,โ Amanda laughs.
Slideways has previously fielded legends like Gaurav Gill, Karamjit Singh, and Vikram Mathias, and helped produce champions like Daraius Shroff, the 2024 INRC3 titleholder. Now, theyโre backing a team thatโs perhaps their most unique yetโRagama Racing, a name inspired by the coupleโs bond (Rag-u and Ama-nda).
From Organisers to Racers
Before they strapped into rally suits, Amanda and Ragu spent years on the other side of the barrier. They volunteered, managed events, and served in key positions at Singaporeโs motorsport events. In 2017, their paths converged again as friends, which turned to romance in 2022, and soon enough, a motorsport partnership for life.
The Road to South India Rally
Their official rally debut comes after just a single testing session last week in Coimbatore. โWe only just sat in a rally car for the first time,โ Amanda admits. But theyโre undeterred. โOur goal is simple: finish the rally, have fun, and make friends.โ
As temperatures soar in Chennai, the coupleโs biggest challenge might just be the Indian summer. But spirits are high. โThis is a dream come true for us,โ says Ragu. โIโm particularly stoked for Amanda. Sheโs been building up to this moment for much longer than I have.โ
A Rally Debut Unlike Any Other
Amanda will co-drive, calling the shots from the navigatorโs seat, while Ragu takes the wheel. Itโs a trial by fire in one of the INRCโs toughest events, but itโs also the kind of story that reminds fans why they fell in love with motorsport in the first place.
So, if you find yourself at the service park this weekend, look for the couple with matching helmets, mismatched gloves, and big grins of โRagama Racing.โ Stop by. Say hi. Theyโll likely be more excited to meet you than you are to meet them.
Amanda and Ragu would like to give a shout-out to those who have assisted their journey: โThis would not have been possible if not for the help of our good friend and world-renowned professional co-driver, Dale Moscatt, and Aniruddha of Slideways Industries. Each of them contributed significantly to getting us well prepared for this event.โ
For Amanda and Ragu,ย this isnโt just a rallyโitโs the start of something incredible.ย As their team name denotes, it’s music on four wheels!
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Indian Supercross Racing League opens rider registrations for Season 2
Pune, 15ย April, 2025:ย The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL), the worldโs first franchise-based Supercross league, is back with the much-anticipated Season 2. The rider registrations open on 24ย April and promise higher-octane action, new international faces, and the return of celebrated talent from across the globe.
Following a inaugural run that brought together over 100 elite riders from nine countries and electrified fans across Indian cities, ISRL is rapidly becoming a sought-after destination for global motorsport talent. Season 2 is poised to reach greater heights with a bigger format and added star power, most notably with superstar Salman Khan joining hands with the league as the official brand ambassador. With inquiries already pouring in from international athletes and a strong home-grown line-up raring to go.
Eeshan Lokhande, Co-Founder, Indian Supercross Racing League, said,ย โISRL Season 1 was just the beginning. With the kind of global traction and home-grown talent we witnessed, weโre entering Season 2 with renewed energy and confidence. Salman Khan coming on board as brand ambassador adds to the momentum, bringing his unmatched charisma to the world of Supercross. Our goal is to build a global mega-platform that gives Indian motorsport its rightful place on the world stage. Weโre thrilled to welcome back many of our international riders and see an even bigger talent pool lining up. This is going to be one wild ride.โ
Rugved Barguje,ย 3-time Indian National Supercross Champion, expressed his enthusiasm saying,ย โRacing in Season 1 of ISRL was an unforgettable experience. The support from the crowd, the level of competition, and the chance to race on real Supercross tracks in Indiaโit was a dream come true. The league has changed the game for Indian motorsport- making it more organized and structured, creating a professional platform for motorsport athletes to thrive. Season 2 is going to be even more epic, and I canโt wait to be a part of it.โ
Jordi Tixier,ย World Champion MX2 (2014),ย added,ย โSeason 1 blew my expectations out of the water. The tracks, the fans, and the constant improvements by the organizers made it truly special. India showed real passion for Supercross, and Iโm looking forward to being back. Iโm super excited to make more memories in Season 2.โ
Brendan Sipple, International Rider for Reise Motosports, echoed the excitement:ย โFrom the fans to the tracks, everything about Season 1 was world-class. The energy, the teams, and the entire vibe was electric. I feel lucky to have raced in India, and I canโt wait to see whatโs in store for Season 2. ISRL is creating something amazing here.โ
Season 1 featured some of the biggest names in global motocross, including Jordi Tixier (World Champion MX2, 2014), Matt Moss (9-time Australian MX & SX Champion), Thomas Ramette, Hugo Manzato, and many more. From Australia to France and Thailand to South Africa, the talent was unmatched. Indian champions like Rugved Barguje, Ikshan Shanbhag, Prajwal Vishwanth, Sarthak Chavan, and Shlok Ghorpade raced shoulder-to-shoulder with global pros, making history on tracks designed to world-class standards.
The rider registration process covers four competitive categories:
- 450cc International Riders
- 250cc International Riders
- 250cc India-Asia Mix
- 85cc Junior Class
Interested riders can register now to be part of the mega auction, where teams will build their dream squads for the 2025 season. Please note, registration does not guarantee participationโit is the first step in joining the official rider pool for team selection during the auction process.
ISRL’s inaugural season set new benchmarks for motorsport events in India with a physical attendance of over 30,000 and a viewership of 11.5Mn in just 3 days of broadcast, establishing a new global record for a Supercross event.
Team BigRock Motorsports, led by India’s Dakar pioneer CS Santosh, emerged as champions of season 1, setting a high standard for competition. The first season successfully demonstrated India’s appetite for world-class Supercross action and laid a strong foundation for the sport’s growth.
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Chennaiโs Rivaan Dev Preetham excels in Academy karting series in Spain
Valencia (Spain), 15 April 2025: Talented Rivaan Dev Preetham, the only Indian to have won a race in the history of FIA Motorsport Games, once again showcased his skill and talent dishing out promising results in the second round of the prestigious Champions of the Future Academy Programme here on Sunday.
The reigning Micro Max National champion logged a poor qualifying time due to a strategy that did not work, but managed to finish a creditable P11 in the first final after a forgettable P21 and P27 in the heats. However, the 11-year-old bounced back, qualifying fifth among 37 competitors from around the world and finished a creditable P5 in the second heat. He went on to post another top-15 result finishing 11th in the second final for a satisfying outing in Round 2 where he garnered 22 points. The driver supported by Redbrick Constructions, Sankar group of companies and Chaicup, clocked a best lap of 1min, 02.442 seconds.
The global karting programme is promoted by F1 Academy for young professional racing drivers. The MSport product will return from Spain on Wednesday but will be back to training after a short birthday bash on April 18 to prepare for the Meco Meritus Cup.
The Grade 6 student of Lady Andal House of Children in Chennai, who won two National titles in 2023 and 2024 is looking for a hat-trick this year. In 2024, he put up an admirable show at the World Motorsports Games where he won a race and a heat before finishing 8th overall in the Karting Mini class among participants from over 40 countries.
“I’m very happy to be on pace with the top guns. This is good learning experience and I look forward to better results in the remaining rounds,” said Rivaan Dev. The third round is in Italy from July 2 to 6 followed by another three rounds in Hungary, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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India gets first Grade-1 Karting circuit as MIKA receives CIK-FIA certification
Chennai, 8 April 2025: The Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA) in Sriperumbudur, near here, received the highly coveted CIK-FIA Grade-1 certification, thus placing the facility among the elite karting circuits in the World.
The circuit, measuring 1.17km, is the longest karting track in India with a multiple-track configuration suitable for competitive racing and leisure activities. The track was inaugurated by former World champion Mika Hakkinen in September 2024 and later hosted the final round of the Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship in December 2024.
Securing the licence is the culmination of months of designing, planning and efforts to develop a facility that conforms to global standards. The track layout has already received rave reviews about it being a driverโs delight, given the mix of sharp turns, high-speed straights, and elevation changes.
The trackย was highly appreciated byย elite drivers like double Formula 1 World champion Mika Hakkinen and Indiaโs two F1 drivers, Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok. Karun played a key role in designing the track.
The licence, dated April 8, is valid for three years and certified that the track fulfilled โthe conditions and safety standards laid down by the CIK-FIA for the running of kart races held under CIK-FIA rulesโ. It was inspected by Willibald Zรถttl, the CIK-FIA Technical Inspector for the Circuit and Safety Commissions.
The circuit is located within the premises of the Madras International Circuit which boasts of a FIA Grade 2 racing track and is the hub of motor racing in India.
The CIK-FIA licence considerably raises the profile of the MIKA circuit which will host a three-round Karting Karnival series in April-May.
Reacting to the development, MMSC Vice-President Vicky Chandhok said: โWhen we first conceptualised MIKA circuit, the target was to develop an international standard track that can host global competitions besides offering a great platform for racing aspirants as well as a destination for leisure activities for families and corporates.โ
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Karun Chandhok launches โDrive to Victoryโ, a thrilling read for young motorsports fans
Chennai, 30 March 2025: Renowned Indian racing driver and Formula 1 expert Karun Chandhok has taken his passion for motorsport beyond the track with the release of his new book, Drive to Victory. Aimed at children aged nine and above, the book was launched in Chennai on Sunday, where Chandhok signed copies at two iconic bookstores, Higginbothams and Odyssey in Adyar, delighting young readers and motorsport enthusiasts.
A Must-Read for Young Racing Fans
Described as โthe perfect read for the Formula 1-mad kid in your life,โ by Amazon UK, Drive to Victory is a high-speed dive into the world of Formula 1, penned by Chandhok himself. The book answers burning questions young fans often ask: How fast do Formula 1 cars really go? What does it take to become a racing driver? Which track is the toughest in the world?
Drawing from his extensive experience in F1 and other racing championships, Chandhok takes readers behind the scenes, sharing incredible stats, facts, and stories about the fastest and most exciting sport on the planet. The book explores legendary drivers from both past and present, including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and George Russell, as well as icons like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Jenson Button. It also shines a light on trailblazing female drivers such as Maria Teresa de Filippis and Lella Lombardi.
Beyond the drivers, Drive to Victory showcases the best teams, cars, and tracks, offering young readers an insiderโs view into what it takes to compete at the highest level of motorsport. Chandhok also shares expert insights on how aspiring racers can start their journey in the world of Formula 1.
Karun Chandhok: From the Track to the Bookshelf
Karun Chandhok, spends time to talk with young children, who came to his book launch at Odyssey in Chennai. Photos by Srinivasa Krishnan A former Formula 1 driver, Chandhok is one of only two Indian racers to have competed in the sport, making his F1 debut in 2010 with Hispania Racing before joining Team Lotus in 2011. Apart from F1, he has raced in Le Mans, Formula E, and GP2, securing multiple podiums and victories. That makes him the only driver from India, who raced in all the three top FIA championships.
Today, Chandhok is a well-respected motorsport analyst and a leading voice on Sky Sportsโ F1 coverage, where his deep knowledge and engaging commentary have made him a fan favourite. With Drive to Victory, he is now inspiring a new generation of young racing fans, combining his love for storytelling with his unparalleled experience on the track.
A Special Launch in Chennai
For Chandhok, launching the book in his hometown of Chennai added a personal touch to the milestone. The events at Higginbothams and Odyssey were filled with excitement as children and fans got their copies autographed and interacted with the racing star.
Speaking about the book, Chandhok shared, โGrowing up, I was obsessed with motorsport, but there werenโt many books tailored for kids who loved racing. With Drive to Victory, I wanted to create something fun, informative, and inspiring for young fans who dream of being part of the world of Formula 1.โ
With its thrilling storytelling, fascinating insights, and stunning facts, Drive to Victory is set to become a must-have for young motorsport lovers. Whether a child dreams of racing or simply enjoys watching the sport, this book promises to take them on a turbocharged ride through the world of F1.
Here are some exclusive photographs by motorsports photojournalist Srinivasa Krishnan, who took time off from his busy schedule to attend the event and get a copy personally signed by the legend.
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fmsci 2024 champions in 14 Nationals awarded at gala function
Chennai, 22 March 2025: The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in India (fmsci) conducted 14 National championships in various motorsports disciplines in the year 2024 which ended in December 2024. Following are the fmsci Champions for 2024. A total of 145 awards were presented to 121 winners (both individual and teams). At least, 17 motorsports athletes won more than one National Championship in 2024.
Two historic and outstanding Indian records achieved in 2024 include the first National championship won by a female driver Diana Pundole of Pune in the male-dominated Indian motorsports world. She won the National title in the MRF MMSC FMSCI Championship last year in the saloon cars class. Competing on equal footing with men, she endured all the unsporting tactics used by her male opponents on the track and emerged as a successful lady champion taking all the setbacks in her stride. The other truly endearing achievement of the year is by Bangalore-based Hemanth Muddappa, who won three National titles to add to his dozen and became the most-celebrated and first Indian Motorsports athlete to win 15 National titles in the officially declared championships with “Indian National” status.
From left: Sita Raina (Women in Motorsport Commission chairperson), Jagathishree (double champ, who recently underwent ankle surgery), Aishwarya Pissay (the only World Cup Baja champ in India), Jasmeet Kaur, Arindam Ghosh (fmsci president), Jyothi Iyengar, Tanika Shanbagh, Ryhana Bee, Diana Pundole, Pallavi Yadav, and Harshitha Gowda. (Misriya KS, The Dirt Track, ladies champion is missing in the group photo)
The Federation presented the Outstanding Performance in the International field to Aishwarya Pissay, the first Indian to win a WORLD CUP (Baja) from India in motorsports. Two other โOutstanding Performances in International Motorsport’ Awards were presented to Sarthak Chavan for his exploits in MalaysiaSBK racing, and Sanjay Takale for their stunning performance in the international arena. Takale became the first Indian to complete Dakar in cars, in the Classic section.
In a first-of-its-kind endeavour by the fmsci, the volunteers and officials were honoured here on Saturday at the Annual Awards ceremony. Speaking at the FMSCI Annual Awards function here, President Arindam Ghosh, a former attacking rally driver who won many an INRC round, lauded the efforts of the volunteers and officials for the smooth and flawless conduct of all the events.
โThe volunteers and officials are among the five connecting pillars of motorsports and they deserve all the accolades,โ Ghosh said. โThe others are participants, officials, corporates and media. If all the five are inter-connected properly, motorsports will grow by leaps and bounds,โ he added. He also informed the gathering about the substantial enhancements in bidding amounts for the events which shows the growing popularity of motorsports in India. โThe bidding amounts have gone up from lakhs to crores,โ Ghosh revealed.
Among the officials and volunteers who were honoured at the FMSCI Annual Awards 2024 programme were Manoj P Dalal (Race Director), Subash H (Marshal), Gowthaman (Marshal), Dr. Paramesh Kumar (Doctor) and Shrirang Machhe (Competitor Relation Officer). Coimbatore Auto Sports Club bagged the award for the Best Marshal Team.ย
Legendary biker Bullet Bose (blue shirt) pats One Racing team principal and their star rider Jagathishree Kumaresan, who won both the Racing and Drag Nationals despite a serious ligament-tear injury. After finishing the events she went for surgery and is still under rehab and recovery. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan FMSCI also honoured and felicitated three drivers for their โOutstanding Performances in International Motorsport. They are Aishwarya Pissay, Sarthak Chavan and Sanjay Takale.
Ashad Pasha, Amey Desai, Philippos Matthai and Muddappa were the star performers winning three Championship titles each. Meanwhile, Chennai schoolboy, 11-year-old Rivan Dev Preetham, continued his good show by winning the MECO fmsci Rotax Max National Karting Championship 2024. The Awards function was held under the guidance of the new President of fmsci, Arindam Ghosh, who was elected in September 2024, replacing Akbar Ebrahim.
The champions from the 14 different National Championships of various motorsports disciplines organised by fmsci in 2024 in both two-wheelers and four-wheelers are given below:
1. BUXUS PROSPORTS FMSCI Indian National TSD Rally Championship (4W) (Promoter ProSports); Sponsor Buxus.
1. Overall Driver: Jogendra Kumar Jaiswal, INTSDRC Overall;
2. Overall Navigator: Prakash Muthusamy, INSTDRC Overall;
3. INTSDRC2 Driver: Uday Ganguli;
4. INTSDRC2 Navigator: Rudrangsho Dey;
5. INTSDRC Ladies: Jasmeet Kaur;
6. INTSDRC navigator: Jyothi Iyengar;
2. National Sprint Rally Championship for two-wheelers (Promoter FB Sports); Sponsor: Eurogrip;
C1. Group A: Open upto 550cc: Rajendra RE;
C2. Group A: Upto 550cc (private): Sinan Francis;
C3. Group B: 131cc to 165cc: Varun Kumar;
C4. Group B: 166 to 260cc: D Sachin Ignatius;
C5. Group B: 261 to 400cc: Hemanth;
C6. Group B: Bullet upto 550cc: Suhail Ahmed;
C7. Group B: Scooter upto 210cc: Syed Asif Ali;
C8. Group B: Ladies upto 260cc: Ryhana Bee A;
C9. Group B: Veterans (above 50 years) upto 260cc: Mohammad Saeed Qureshi;
C10. Group D: Upto 260cc: Sanjay Somashekar;
C11. Group D: 261 to 450cc: Shajeer Ismail;
Team champions: T2 Sports;
3. Indian National Sprint Rally Championship for cars 2024 (Promoter FB Motorsport) Sponsor Eurogrip
1. Rally Sprint5: Sravan Kumar Kuttoor;
2. Rally Sprint4: Amey Desai;
3. Rally Sprint3: Chandan Manche Gowda;
4. Rally Sprint2: Philippos Matthai;
5. Rally Sprint1: Philippos Matthai;
6. Overall: Philippos Matthai;
4. MRF fmsci Dirt Track Championship 2024 (2W) (Promoter GodSpeed; Sponsor MRF)
1. Class 1: Group A, SX1 upto 500cc: Shlok Ghorpade;
2. Class 2: Group A, SX2 upto 500cc: Manikandan K;
3. Class 3: Group B, Indian Novice upto 260cc: Abhi S Nath;
4. Class 4: Group B, Indian Experts upto 260cc: Sachin D;
5. Class 5: Group B, Private Experts upto 260cc: Manikandan K;
6. Class 6: Group B, Indian Experts261 to 550cc: Rajesh Swami;
7. Class 7: Group A, Junior SX1 upto 250cc: Jinendra Sangave;
8. Class 8: Group A, Junior SX2 upto 85cc: Akshat Hupale;
9. Class 9: Group B, Scooters upto 210cc: Karthik N;
10. Class10: Group B, Ladies upto 260cc: Misriya KS.
5. fmsci Indian National Autocross Championship 2024 (4W)
1. INAC1 Open Class C: Ashad Pasha;
2. INAC1 Open Class B: Kiran KS;
3. INAC2 Class C: Ashad Pasha;
4. INAC2 Class B: Ashad Pasha;
5. INAC2 OPEN: Raunak Jana;
6. INAC3 Stock Class A: Amey Desai;
7. INAC3 Stock Class B: Kushal Chaudhari;
8. INAC3 Stock Class C: Amey Desai;
9. INAC3 Stok OPEN: Kushal Chaudhari;
10. INAC3 Stock Amateur: Nameer Pasha;
11. INAC 4wd OPEN: Sravan Kumar Kuttoor;
12. Ladies Open: Pallavi Shamrao Yadav.
6. Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship (Promoter: MMSC)
Four Stroke (Except mentioned)
1. Super Sport 551 to 850cc: Mohammed Riyaz;
2. Team Super Sport 551 to 850cc: Team Fast Track Racing;
3. Super Sport 851 to 1050cc: Hemanth Muddappa;
4. Team Super Sport 851 to 1050cc: Mantra Racing;
5. Super Sport 1051 to 1650cc: Hemanth Muddappa;
6. Team Super Sport 1051 to 1650cc: Mantra Racing;
7. Unrestricted: Hemanth Muddappa;
8. Team Unrestricted: Mantra Racing;
9. Stock upto 165 Girls: Jagathishree;
10. Team Stock upto 165 Girls: One Racing team;
11. Super Sport Indian upto 165 cc: Bharathraj J;
12. Team Super Sport Indian upto 165 cc: Rockers Racing;
13. Two stroke Super Sport upto 130cc: Shahrukh Khan;
14. Two stroke Team Super Sport upto 130cc: Team Big Boyz Racing;
15. Two stroke Super Sport 131 to 165cc: Syed Imran;
16. Two stroke Team Super Sport 131 to 165cc: Team Fast Track Racing;
Four Stroke
17. Super Sport 166 to 225cc: Prashanth S;
18. Super Sport Indian 361 to 550cc: Shahrukh Khan
19. Team Super Sport Indian 361 to 550cc: Mantra Racing.
7. Indian National Drag Racing Championship for four wheelers
(Promoter: Speedway Motorsports, Hyderabad in association with Vroom Motorsports, Bengaluru) Sponsor: Indian Oil Storm X
1. Pro Stock 1151 to 1450cc: Narayan Swamy;
2. Pro Stock 1451 to 1650cc: Mohammed Afaqh Ameen;
3. Team Pro Stock 1451 to 1650cc: Race Concepts Motorsport;
4. Pro Stock 1651 to 2050cc: Thrishal MS;
5. Team Pro Stock 1651 to 2050cc: Tune Oโ Tronics;
6. Pro Stock 2051 to 2550cc: Shreyas Mahendra;
7. TeamPro Stock 2051 to 2550cc: DB Motorspots;
8. Pro Stock 3061 to 4002cc: Bradeep Raj;
9. Team Pro Stock 3061 to 4002cc: Tune Oโ Tronics;
10. Pro Stock 4003 to 5100cc: Vishnu Sriram;
11. Team Pro Stock 4003 to 5100cc: Harmonixx Tuning;
12. Pro Stock Diesel 1651 CC to 2050cc: Ashwin Durai;
13. Team Pro Stock Diesel 1651 CC to 2050cc: Tune Oโ Tronics;
14. Pro Stock Diesel 2551 to 3060cc: Vinod John;
15. Team Pro Stock Diesel 2551 to 3060cc: Tune Oโ Tronics;
16. Indian Open upto 2750cc: Shreyas Mahendra;
17. Team Indian Open upto 2750cc: Tune O Tronics;
18. Indian Open upto 4002cc: Ashwin Durai;
19. Team Indian Open upto 4002cc: Tune O Tronics;
20. Indian Open Unlimited cc: Vivek Ramachander;
21 Team Indian Open Unlimited cc: Tune O Tronics;
22. Unrestricted Class: Vivek Ramachander;
23 Team Unrestricted Class: Tune O Tronics;
8. fmsci Indian National Rotax Max Karting Championship (Promoter Meco Motorsports)
1. Micro Max champion: Rivaan Dev Preetham;
2. Micro Max Team: MSport;
3. Junior Max champion: Arafath Sheikh;
4. Junior Max Team: Crest Motorsports;
5. Senior Max champion: Ruhaan Alva;
6. Senior Max Team: MSport;
9. MRF MoGrip National Rally Championship 2024 (2w) (Promoter GodSpeed); Sponsor: MRF;
1. Group A: Super Bike – Pro Expert: Rajendra RE;
2. Group A: Super Bike -Expert: Nataraj R;
3. Group B: Super Sport 165cc: Abdul Raheman;
4. Group B: Super Sport 260cc: Imran Pasha;
5. Group B: Super Sport 400cc: Rajesh Swami;
6. Group B: Super Sport 550cc: Suhail Ahmed;
7. Group B: Scooters upto 210cc: Syed Asif Ali;
8. Group B: Women: Tanika Shanbagh;
9. Group D: Super Stock upto 450cc: Shivam Thakur;
10. Blueband Sports FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship 2024 (4W)
1. Overall champion driver: Karna Kadur;
2. Overall champion co-driver: Musa Sherif;
3. Overall champion TEAM: Arka Motorsports;
4. INRC2 Driver champ: Aditya Thakur;
5. INRC2 Co-driver champ: Virender Kashyap;
6. INRC2 Team champion: Chettinad Sporting;
7. INRC3 Driver champ: Daraius Shroff;
8. INRC3 Co-driver champ: Vinay Padmashali;
9. INRC3 Team champion: Chettinad Sporting;
10. Junior INRC champion: Arnav Pratap Singh;
11. Ladies champion: Harshita Raj Gowda.
11. MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024
(Promoter MMSC; Sponsor MRF)
1. Stock upto 165cc Novice: Abdul Basim RS;
2. Team Stock upto 165cc Novice: Rockers Racing;
3. Stock upto 165cc girls: Jagathishree Kumaresan;
4. Team: Stock upto 165cc girls: Team One Racing;
5. ProStock 301 to 400cc Open: Sarthak Chavan;
6. Team: ProStock 301 to 400cc Open: RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate;
7. Stock 301 to 400cc Novice: Kaushik Subbaiah Ganesan;
8. Team: Stock 301 to 400cc Novice: TVS Racing;
9. ProStock upto 165cc Open: Jagan Kumar;
10. Team: ProStock upto 165cc Open: TVS Racing;
12. MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024 (4W)
1. FLGB 1300cc: Viswas Vijayaraj;
2. FLGB 1300cc Team champs: DTS Racing;
3. MRF Formula 1600: Abhay M;
4. MRF Formula 2000: Jaden Rahman Pariat;
5. Volkswagen Polo Cup: Dhruv Chavan;
5. Indian Touring Cars championship: Biren Pithawalla;
6. Indian Junior Touring Cars championship: Srinivas Teja;
7. MRF Saloons: Diana Pundole;
8. Super Stock: Justin Singh;
9. Super Stock Team champs: Redline Racing India.
10. ITC Team champions: Team N1;
11. IJTC Team champions: Team Performance Racing.
13. MRF MOGRIP fmsci National Supercross Championship 2024 (2W) Promoter: GodSpeed Racing; Sponsor MRF
1. Class 1: Group A, SX1 upto 500cc: Sholok Ghorpade;
2. Class 2: Gropu A, SX2 upto 500cc: Ryan Haig;
3. Class 3: Group B Novice upto 260cc: Karan Kumar;
4. Class 5: Group B, Indian Experts upto 260cc: Imran Pasha;
5. Class 6: Group B, Private Experts uto 260cc; Subramanya T.;
6. Class 7: Group A, Junior SX1 150 to 250cc: Jinendra Sangave;
7. Class 8: Group A, Junior SX2 Upto 85cc: Akshat Hupale;
8. Class 9: Group A, Junior SX3 Upto 65cc: Bhairav C Gowda.
14. JK Tyre fmsci National Racing Championship 2024 (4W) (Promoter JK Tyre)
1. National Champion: Formula LGB: Tijil Rao;
2. Team champions: Dark Don Racing;
3. National champ Novice: Dhruv Goswami.
Non-National events
15. F4 (Promoter: Racing Promotions Private Limited) Sponsor: Kingfisher Strong Soda.
Formula 4: Driver champ: Aqil Alibhai;
SPECIAL fmsci AWARDS
Outstanding Woman in Motorsports: Aishwarya Pissay;
From left Arindam Ghosh, fmsci president, and Special Awardees Sarthak Chavan and Aishwarya Pissay. Nikeetaa Takkale, the niece of Sanjay Takale, received the award on his behalf on 22 March 2025 in Chennai. Outstanding sportsperson (International): Sanjay Takle.
Outstanding sportsperson (International): Sarthak Chavan.
Special Awards (Volunteers and Officials)
Race Director: Manoj Dalal, MMSC;
Marshal: Subash H;
Marshal: Gowthaman;
Doctor: Dr. Paramesh Kumar, MMSC;
CRO (Competitors Relations Officer):
Shrirang Machhe (Western India Motorsports Association), Nashik.
Marshalโs Team: Coimbatore Auto Sports Club.
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Eshanth Vengatesan wins third place in ROK Cup Round 1 finals at Singapore
Singapore, 18 March 2025: The 13-year-old Eshanth Vengatesan from Chennai notched up a brilliant podium in the ROK Cup Junior Karting Championship held in Singapore on March 15 and 16.
Eshanth took the final spot on the podium, finishing third in the final race of Round 1 in the ROK Cup Junior section at the KF1 Circuit in Singapore. The ROK Cup Singapore kicked off last weekend with 47 drivers on the grid across 4 categories namely Mini, Junior, Senior, and Rookie. Satt Kotak, Conrad Garrow, Dillan Tan, took dominant wins in the first 3 categories respectively.
Eshanth, who finished runners-up in the fmsci Rotax Max National Karting Championship Junior category last year is a student of SBOA Global School, Anna Nagar, Chennai. The MSport karter won the first runner-up place in the OK-Junior Championship last year and was nominated by the Indian Federation (fmsci) to represent India in the FIA Karting Academy Junior Championship to be held later this year in Europe with rounds in Spain, Germany and Italy.
Born on 17th September 2011, Eshanth made his debut in the Indian National Championship in 2022 and won his debut race in the Micro Max class. He finished runner-up in the Nationals that year to take a deserving โBest Newcomer Awardโ. Later, he represented India in the Asia Pacific Championship held in Malaysia in 2023 and Singapore in 2024. Before returning to India, he started as a cadet in Singapore at the age of 9 and displayed good speed and skills to match the pace of seniors. In 2023, he also finished second in the Meritus Cup.
The Sebastian Vettel fan will be looking forward to a fruitful season in India, apart from his international OKJ races.
