MUMBAI: The motorcycle racing scene in India has always played second fiddle to formula racing. The Indian Superbike League (ISBL) is the latest initiative that wants to change that perception.
Launched on Tuesday, the franchise-based league is projecting itself as a platform to help prepare Indian riders — both male and female — for the international stage. To be held from October to December, the promoters are planning to have seven teams, with Ducati being one of the suppliers.
The races will be held in Chennai, Bengaluru and Pune. Mumbai-based Dhuleva Group, headed by Avi Jain, are one of the key investors in the venture. The FMSCI-approved league will have five classes — pro category (two classes), amateur category, female category and rookie category.
Over 400 riders have already signed up for ISBL and the list will be pruned before the auction.
Pranav Bakre, the director of the league, said: “My father was a rider and I’ve seen how much they (riders) put into everything they do but beyond a point, Indian riders are not able to go above. So the idea is to get the fastest Indian talent on the fastest machines in the world and create an ecosystem that will sustain itself.”
Sirish Vissa, who headed motorsport division for SkodaVolkswagen India, and is also the director of ISBL, added that for the first time “riders will be paid to race”.
Vicky Chandhok, former FMSCI president, observed that the participation in two-wheeler racing “has increased in the last two years” and the ISBL will go a long way in creating that “missing platform".
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