Supercross India Pvt Ltd (SXI), under the aegis of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), today, officially announced the handing over of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the exclusive commercial rights to launch the Supercross racing league. The league is titled Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL). The MoU was handed over by Gautam Shantappa, Vice President and Sujith Kumar, Chairman of Supercross Racing Commission of the FMSCI, to the promoters of the league in a press conference held in Pune, India today.

Supercross (SX) is a motorcycle racing sport involving specialised high performance off-road motorcycles, with steep jumps and obstacles held on dirt tracks, while FMSCI is the governing body of motorsports in India, recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

According to Supercross India, the team’s vision is to have a world-class Supercross sporting league in India, with participation from national and international racers. The team has entered into an exclusive agreement with FMSCI for a brand based SX league in India and has all the backing of the apex body for a pan-India league, with races held across major cities in India. Supercross claims that the main aim is to encourage participation from international and Indian riders, including women riders, and fostering their participation in the near future. The league will look at the development of the sport at a grassroot level, and will endeavor to bring India to the global forefront of motorsports.

Speaking on the occasion, Shantappa said, “The federation fully backs the SXI team and firmly believes that they would take the sport forward and elevate it to a new level. As the Vice President, I am confident that SXI and the FMSCI will work as a team and would make the league a huge success.”

Kumar further added, “I believe that with younger organisers coming into the sport, the future looks bright. I would like to state that it’s a matter of great happiness to see X-Racers coming back to the sport, playing different roles. I am proud to say that we, in India, have the first franchise-based supercross league in the world.”

Sharing his views on the league, Eeshan Lokhande, Director, Supercross India, said, “We are really excited to host the league, and we thank the entire team at the FMSCI for all the support. The league will pave the way for huge development in motorsports, and especially Supercross in India. We are confident that the league will present a major sporting spectacle in India, entertaining the Indian audience. We plan to put India on the Supercross map of the world, with the vision that Indian riders be on the podium of the global Supercross races in the future.”

Lokhande further threw light on his and his team’s journey in the domain of motorsports. He cited, “We three (Lokhande; Veer Patel, Director, Supercross India; and Aashwin Lokhande, Co-founder and Director, Supercross India) go a long way back. As kids, we started racing with a passion, which turned into winning championships and proving people wrong down the journey. We want to transform Supercross.”

“Covid-19 proved to be a bit on the positive side for us when we approached the federation, and had all their support,” Lokhande further averred, “The Indian Supercross Racing League will set a new benchmark. The league also envisions to open doors for a lot of international participation. While doing that, we will never forget our own talent here.”

TVS Motor Company, a leading two- and three-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the updated TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at INR 139,000.

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is powered by a 159.7cc, oil-cooled, fuel-injected, 4-valve, which produces 17.55 PS at 9,250 rpm and 14.73 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.

It comes with a segment-first 37mm Upside Down (USD) suspension and three ride modes — Sport, Urban, and Rain, which the company claims enhance control, stability, and adaptability across diverse riding conditions.

Like with most of the new models from the TVS Motor Co’s stable, the Apache RTR 160 4V now comes with TVS SmartXonnect technology, which provides Bluetooth connectivity, providing turn-by-turn navigation, call & SMS alerts, and voice assist.

In terms of design, the refreshed TVS Apache RTR 160 4V’s can be had in three colour options – Granite Grey, Matte Black, and Pearl White, which are complemented by sporty, race-inspired graphics, golden-finish USD forks, and red alloy wheels. 

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “We are proud to lead the way in engineering and innovation in motorcycles. With that commitment, we are excited to announce the upgrade of the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with cutting-edge features and advanced technology. Built on a rich racing legacy, the TVS Apache Series proudly serves over 5.5 million enthusiasts, making it one of the fastest-growing premium motorcycle brands globally. We are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers by integrating performance, technology, and style. By constantly evolving in our set of offerings, we have set new benchmarks for performance motorcycles in India.”

KAW Veloce Motors Pvt Ltd (KVMPL) has unveiled the Brixton brand of motorcycles (600 cc and 1200 cc) and an e-scooter of the Italian brand Velocifero (VLF) called Tennis in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

The unveiling of both the machines – the motorcycle with an ICE and the e-scooter with a battery and motor – at the Highland Club on the outskirts of the city took place amid much fanfare.

The Brixton motorcycle and VLF e-scooter – with an angular bodywork overall that is synonymous with Italian design culture and featuring a 2.1kW hub motor, and a range of 130 km – will be offered through the MotoHaus retail channel, the first outlet of which is set to be commissioned in a few days from now in Kolhapur.

Both the two-wheelers – the e-scooter is priced at INR 1,30,000 ex-showroom – are being put together (from a CKD kit) at a plant that is about 12 km from the launch venue as part of the Phase I strategy. To be offered through MotoHaus outlets in cities Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Jaipur, Vapi, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Nashik, Nagpur, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara besides Kolhapur, the two vehicle brands are expected to be joined by a third Italian brand and an in-house electric two-wheeler brand at a later date.

Once the Phase I strategy plays out and the Bixton and VLF offerings find a footing in the Indian market, the company will embark on the Phase II strategy that will include a design and development centre at Kolhapur. The strategy will also include a manufacturing plant that can do 25,000 units and enable the engineering of a robust supply chain in terms of localisation.

It is at the Phase II level that investments from Brixton Motorcycles (Austria) and VLF are expected to come into the venture, which is initially supported by the parent company of KAW Veloce.

TVS Motor Company-owned British premium motorcycle brand Norton Motorcycles, has announced changes to its leadership structure.

The company has announced Dr. Robert Hentschel, currently CEO, will step back from his role effective immediately. He will transition to a non-executive director role within the company.

On the other hand, Nevijo Mance will join Norton Motorcycles as Executive Director, overseeing all upstream business operations, as part of the new leadership structure.

He will be responsible for product design, development and engineering, manufacturing, procurement, quality control, and supply chain management.

In addition, Richard Arnold, who was appointed Executive Director in June 2024, will be responsible for downstream business operations, including marketing, brand management, sales, distribution, customer relationship management, aftersales service, product management, and public relations.

He will also be responsible for enhancing customer experience, expanding Norton’s market reach, and strengthening the brand’s presence across global markets.

Dr Rober had been leading the company since 2021, and has been instrumental in strengthening Norton’s foundations, guiding the company through crucial stages of its growth plan and establishing a strong operational base. He had played a key role in synergistic relationship with parent TVS Motor Company, which has been pivotal in advancing Norton’s progress and setting the stage for future success.

TVS Motor Company (TVSM), a global manufacturer of two- and three-wheelers, has announced the date and venue for the fourth edition of its TVS MotoSoul festival. The two-day festival will be held at Vagator, Goa, on 6 and 7 December 2024 with a focus on eco-friendly branding and sustainable practices.

Riding on this year’s theme of ‘Feel the Adrenaline, Feel the Inspiration, Feel the Groove’, TVS MotoSoul 4.0 is expected to draw visitors not only from India but also from other countries where the company has a presence. The two-day event promises attractive sessions like culinary experiences, wellness and personal care sessions, bike trips and tricks sessions and community and bonding sessions, as well as live music performances by top artists. The festival will provide attendees with a chance to participate in motorsports including dirt track racing, stunt shows and flat track challenges. Additionally, the attendees will be able to interact with race champions, riding experts and motorcycling legends.

Vimal Sumbly, Head of Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS MotoSoul is a mark of the motorcycling spirit. It celebrates the bond between man and machine. Each edition has not only grown in scale but has also deepened this connection among enthusiasts. Our commitment goes beyond just motorcycles; we are devoted to nurturing a thriving ecosystem of riders. As we gear up for TVS MotoSoul 4.0, we are excited to redefine the journey with extraordinary experiences, all wrapped in a vibrant and colourful theme that captures the free-spirited essence of our community. We are confident that our mission to democratise these experiences will lead to one of the most exhilarating celebrations of riders and their journeys at TVS MotoSoul 4.0.”