4-Point Overview
- Record Participation: 155+ riders registered, with 36 securing contracts across categories.
- Big Money Moves: Auction purse crossed ₹6 crore, showing ISRL’s growing commercial strength.
- Global Talent Mix: Riders from France, USA, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, and India lit up the auction.
- Indian Spotlight: Rugved Barguje became the top-bid Indian rider with a ₹9.5 lakh deal.
Introduction
The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 2 Rider Auction has set a new benchmark in India’s motorsport history. The high-octane event combined adrenaline with commerce as global stars went under the hammer. With over ₹6 crore spent by six franchises and fierce bidding wars for both international and Indian riders, ISRL once again proved it is much more than a racing competition — it is a global marketplace of talent, speed, and ambition.
Auction Highlights
The night was packed with drama, big signings, and record-breaking deals:
- Highest Bid: Kyle Peters stole the show with a whopping ₹20.7 lakh contract.
- Top Indian Bid: Local hero Rugved Barguje signed for ₹9.5 lakh, one of the biggest-ever for an Indian rider.
- Young Blood: Sixteen-year-old Australian Jack Nunn became the youngest signee in the 250cc category.
- Closest Battle: The duel for Hugo Manzato and Calvin Fonvieille kept fans and franchises at the edge of their seats.
- French Dominance: 13 French riders were picked across categories, underlining Europe’s strong presence.
- New Franchises’ First Picks: Indewheelers Motorsports opened their account with Greg Aranda and Maxime Desprey, while Tricolor Motorsports signed Adrien Malaval and Paul Haberland in the 450cc class.
Global Appeal, Local Flavor
ISRL is unique as the world’s only franchise-based supercross league. What makes it special is its balance — a mix of world-class international riders and strong homegrown talent.
- Riders from USA, Europe, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia brought international flair.
- Indian riders like Rugved Barguje and Ikshan Shanbhag represented the country’s growing motorsport ecosystem.
- The Asia Mix category ensured representation from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, adding regional diversity.
This blend not only elevated competition but also made the league relatable to fans in India and abroad.
Teams and Strategy
The six franchises — Reise TorqRacers, Tricolor Motorsports, BB Racing, BigRock Motorsports SX, Gujarat Trailblazers, and Indewheelers Motorsports — invested smartly to build balanced rosters.
- Tricolor Motorsports made waves by securing Adrien Malaval and Paul Haberland in the 450cc class.
- Indewheelers Motorsports picked French aces Maxime Desprey and Greg Aranda as their first marquee signings.
- Gujarat Trailblazers focused on nurturing India & Asia Mix riders, strengthening their grassroots presence.
- Others like BigRock and Reise built balanced squads, mixing experienced internationals with promising Indian names.
This strategy ensures thrilling match-ups when Season 2 kicks off in October.
Leadership Speaks
“ISRL is not just building a racing league, we are creating a new sports economy for India where athletes, teams, brands, and fans all converge. The Season 2 auction has shown the world that India is ready to back motorsport at scale, and this is just the beginning of our global journey,” said Veer Patel, Director – Indian Supercross Racing League.
Conclusion
The ISRL Season 2 Rider Auction was not just about contracts — it was about ambition, recognition, and setting the stage for India’s motorsport future. With six franchises investing in global and Indian stars, the league is gearing up for an electrifying season starting this October–December across Pune, Hyderabad, and Kerala.
From record bids to teenage prodigies, ISRL has once again proven it’s not just a racing league — it’s a revolution on two wheels. Fans can join the action both trackside and online with the official hashtag #FlirtWithDirt.
Check Out: