Indian Supercross Racing League: an overview

Motocross vs Supercross

Two wheels, a cloud of dust, and an adrenaline rush – motocross and supercross, both disciplines in the dirt bike racing world, share a core of high-octane thrills. Yet, beneath the surface of jumps and screeching engines lie distinctions that set them apart.

On the one hand, motocross (MX) embodies the raw soul of dirt bike racing. Its tracks, sprawling canvases of natural terrain, weave through fields and forests, challenging riders with high speeds, long straights, and ever-changing landscapes. This organic layout demands adaptation, as every bump, rut, and gully becomes a variable in the pursuit of victory. 

Supercross (SX), on the other hand, takes things indoors. With meticulously sculpted terrain brought into stadiums, SX tracks are compact bursts of controlled chaos. Jumps reach dizzying heights, turns become tighter than a drum, and intricate obstacles like whoops and “dragon’s backs” test riders’ technical mastery. Compared to MX’s marathon-like races, SX offers a sprint-style spectacle, where quick reflexes and lightning-fast decisions reign supreme.

The spectacle factor is indeed a key differentiator. Supercross, with its controlled environment and high production values, becomes a theatrical ballet of dirt and chrome.

Indian Supercross Racing League

The high-flying showmanship of Supercross found fertile ground in Pune’s Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex on 28th January 2024 with the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL), drawing a little shy of 8,000 enthusiastic spectators. 

With accreditation from the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), ISRL is the world’s first franchise-based supercross league that featured 6 teams – BB Racing, BigRock Motorsports, Mohite’s Racing, Gujarat Trailblazers, Reise Motorsports and SG Speed Racers – with a roster of 8 riders each. With 2 riders from each team competing in 4 categories – 450cc International, 250cc International, 250cc India-Asia mix, and 85cc Junior India-Asia mix – the first leg of the race showcased some serious edge-of-the-seat action.

India, a country traditionally enamoured with cricket and other mainstream sports, is witnessing a paradigm shift as motorsport steadily gains momentum. The debut of MotoGP in India last year, and the recent editions of India Bike Week (IBW) and MotoSoul have primed the Indian audiences for the thrilling showmanship presented at the ISRL.

The line-up of riders 

The auction pool for ISRL featured a total of 104 riders, including 73 international racers slated to race in India for the first time and 31 Indian riders, with the cumulative auction kitty for season one totalling INR 6 crore.  

Eeshan Lokhande, Director & Co-Founder of the CEAT ISRL, said that “The league’s decision to host a rider auction signifies its commitment to transparency and accountability in its recruitment process. This move will undoubtedly enhance the league’s credibility and promote a fair and level playing field for all participants and franchise owners.” 

The grid showcased an incredible line-up of riders from across the world, including the nine-time Australian MX and SX champion Matt Moss, four-time Italian SX champion  Lorenzo Camporese, four-times South African champion Anthony Raynard and from India, we had the three-time national champion Rugved Barguje, among others.  

The grid wasn’t lacking star riders; it was lacking women riders. Aside from Aleena Shaikh (SG Speed Racers) and  Nithila Das (BigRock Motorsports) in the 85cc Junior India-Asia Mix category, the male dominance was evident. In response to the conspicuous absence of female riders in the league, Lokhande promptly highlighted that the roster featured not one but two female riders, both competing in the Junior 85cc Asia-India mix category. “We aim to introduce a women’s category, providing the opportunity to anyone who loves to ride, regardless of gender. If you need a platform, we are here.” said Lokhande. While the numbers might not present a compelling case for women, it undeniably signifies the initial step toward greater inclusivity into the sport.

Entertainment beyond racing

Apart from the races, the league offered plenty of entertainment to keep the audience entertained. The traditional Maharashtrian-style opening ceremony, complete with folk music and dance, set a cultural tone. The pit area was bustling with adrenaline, featuring merchandise, food stalls, music and experiential arenas for motorsport enthusiasts. Adding to the spectacle, the league showcased a jaw-dropping performance by the FMX guys – Sebastian Westberg and Thomas Wirnsberger. With their aerial cartwheels and dramatic flips, they were practically flying on two wheels.

“The launch of CEAT ISRL is a watershed moment for all of us in the motocross community. India has tremendous potential and talent in this arena and I’m confident the league has the tenacity to present a platform for all budding racers who will show the world their talent, skills and endurance. ISRL will be the IPL for motocross, I can’t wait to see the first season get underway,” said CS Santosh, a multiple-time national supercross and motocross champion.

A look at the scoreboard

Jordi Tixier from BB Racing secured victory in the 450cc international class with a whopping 40 points, riding a Honda. Matt Moss from BigRock Motorsports claimed the second spot on a Kawasaki, followed by Cedric Soubeyras, also from BigRock Motorsports, in third place. BigRock Motorsports accumulated an impressive total of 64 points in this category.

In the 250cc international category, Reid Taylor of BigRock Motorsports clinched the top spot riding a Kawasaki, while Hugo Manzato of SG Speed Racers secured second place on a KTM, and Julien Lebeau of Mohite’s Racing Team took third place on a Yamaha.

Moving to the 250cc India-Asia mix category, the victors were Thanarat Penjan of BigRock Motorsport on a Kawasaki, Athison Ruadero of BB Racing riding a Honda, and Ben Hallgren of Mohite’s Racing Team on a Yamaha.

After the first race – BigRock Motorsport, co-owned by  Dakar Rally rider CS Santosh currently stands at rank one with 213 points and has a 60-point lead over BB Racing, which stands second at 153 points. Mohite’s Racing Team is at 145 points, SG Speed Racers is at 132 points, Arjuna award winner Gaurav Gill’s Gujarat Trailblazers is at 114 points and Reise Motorsports is at 101 points.

Track and Safety

While the league’s target audience is millennials, its strategic approach is two-fold. Eshan Lokhande underscores the inherent challenge for adults to embrace the sport and aspire to attain the proficiency showcased by seasoned riders. Nevertheless, the sport’s magnetic allure, coupled with its high-adrenaline nature, positions it as an irresistible draw for the Indian audience.

With an investment of INR 15 crore per race, including the track cost of INR 3 crore, the league’s paramount objective is to instil in adults the consideration of an early commitment for their children, and the junior category substantiates this ambition by unveiling prodigious talent, thereby offering a burgeoning opportunity for aspiring youth. This investment in the sport delineates a cyclical trajectory that holds immense promise for the future.

The track materialised within an impressive three-day timeframe was a feat laden with challenges as shared by Eshan Lokhande. The revelation that, until the day preceding the free practice, the organisers did not have a track since the soil had to be expedited from Mumbai, is just one of the many hurdles faced by the organisers.

Despite the hurried track construction, its performance in terms of safety remained satisfactory. This acknowledgment is not to diminish the occurrences of crashes and accidents, which were plentiful. However, the silver lining lies in the fact that none proved fatal. Matt Moss (BigRock Motorsports), aptly encapsulated the sentiment, noting that the track was conducive for beginners, given that all participants emerged injury-free.

What’s Next?

The company targets to achieve a nominal high of INR 1000 crore by 2026 (season 3). It sounds like an ambitious roadmap, but investor backing and the sport’s popularity in the global market are expected to provide additional impetus. Under a strategic Partnership, the company has liquidated a 3% stake for promotion and ecosystem building, valuing INR 10.5 crore and plans to dilute 2% in the next two weeks valuing INR 9 crore with a valuation of INR 450 crore

Following Pune, the next two legs are scheduled for Ahmedabad at EKA Arena, Transsradia on February 11 and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on February 25.