The 2025 MRF MMSC Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC) kicked off with Round 1 at the Madras International Circuit. This round featured the debut of the new Pro-Stock 165-200cc category, showcasing race-ready TVS Apache GP200R bikes, which are based on the Apache RTR 200 4V. Notably, 11-time national champion Rajini Krishnan made his return for a full season in the INMRC.
In Round 1, Rahil Pillarisetty from RACR Castrol Power1, Sarthak Chavan from Petronas TVS Racing, and Savion Babu from Mad Rabbit Racing emerged as prominent winners. However, on the final day, several races were canceled due to a thunderstorm that caused significant damage to the facilities.
Pro-Stock 301-400cc
Race 1 featured a thrilling near-photo finish where reigning champion Sarthak Chavan overtook polesitter Rahil Pillarisetty on the last lap after trailing him throughout the race. The two were separated by just two-hundredths of a second as they crossed the finish line, with Alwin Sundar finishing third in his debut race for TVS.
The following day, Pillarisetty redeemed himself, overcoming a strong challenge from Chavan to claim his first race victory in four years, while Chiranth Vishwanath completed the podium in third place.
Pro-Stock 301-400cc Race 1 results
1. Sarthak Chavan (Petronas TVS Racing) – 11mins 00.349sec
2. Rahil Pillarisetty (RACR Castrol Power1) – 11mins 00.421sec
3. Alwin Sundar (Petronas TVS Racing) – 11mins 06.699sec
Pro-Stock 301-400cc Race 2 results
1. Rahil Pillarisetty (RACR Castrol Power1) – 11mins 03.229sec
2. Sarthak Chavan (Petronas TVS Racing) – 11mins 03.501sec
3. Chiranth Vishwanath (Petronas TVS Racing) – 11mins 03.543sec
Pro-Stock 165-200cc
The newly introduced Pro-Stock 165-200cc category aims to facilitate more accessible and affordable racing for independent competitors in the INMRC. This is a spec category with TVS providing race-prepped versions of the Apache RTR 2004V.
The race-ready bike is said to deliver a 40 percent power boost over its stock counterpart and weighs just 105 kg. It also features essential upgrades such as adjustable front and rear suspension, lighter racing wheels, an aluminum sub-frame, and an aerodynamic kit.
In an impressive performance, 17-year-old Savion Sabu clinched the first victory in this category, leading from start to finish, followed by Soorya PM and Mohan Babu.
Pro-Stock 165-200cc Race 1 results
1. Savion Sabu (Mad Rabbit Racing) – 11mins 55.770secs
2. Soorya PM (Chandra LGE Racing) – 11mins 56.185secs
3. Mohan Babu (Rockers Racing) – 11mins 56.393secs
Stock 301-400cc (Novice)
Varun Patil, starting from P3 on the grid, successfully converted his position into a victory in Race 1. He also claimed victory in Race 2, but post-race checks penalized him, leading Kamal Navas to inherit the win for Race 2.
Stock 301-400cc (Novice) Race 1 results
1. Varun Patil (Mad Rabbit Racing) – 12mins 17.892secs
2. Jagadeesh Nagaraj (Motul Sparks Racing) – 12mins 18.263secs
3. Kamal Navas (Chennai, Team Rockers Racing) – 12mins 18.287secs
Stock 301-400cc (Novice) Race 2 results
1. Kamal Navas (Rockers Racing) – 12mins 22.412sec
2. Jagadeesh Nagaraj – 12mins 23.382sec
3. Romaro John (Rockers Racing) – 12mins 23.591sec
Stock 165cc (Novice)
In the first race, Rajender Beedani, starting from P2, strategically held back behind the leaders. When polesitter Lal Nansunga faced engine trouble and dropped out, Beedani capitalized on this opportunity and overtook Kedarnath on the last lap, securing the win.
The situation flipped in Race 2, where Kedarnath emerged victorious over Beedani.
Stock 165cc (Novice) Race 1 results
1. Rajender Beedani (MAI Racing) – 13mins 12.791sec
2. Kedarnath (Motul KTM Gusto Racing) – 13mins 13.267sec
3. Yashwant Varma (Motul Sparks Racing) – 13mins 15.620sec
Stock 165cc (Novice) Race 2 results
1. Kedarnath (Motul KTM Gusto Racing) – 13mins 09.435sec
2. Rajender Beedani (MAI Racing) – 13mins 15.456sec
3. Yashwant Varma (Motul Sparks Racing) – 13mins 25.449sec
Girls Stock 165cc
Ann Jennifer is on her quest for a third national title after last winning in 2020. She started her 2025 title campaign strong, winning both races in the opening round.
“I feel good considering where I was last year when I suffered a head injury from a crash in Round 3. The doctors advised me to quit racing, but the sport is in my blood, and I just couldn’t stop myself from getting on a race bike,” said Jennifer. “Despite the two wins this weekend, I feel there is room for improvement, and I hope to be faster in the next round.”
Girls Stock 165cc Race 1 results
1. Ann Jennifer AS (Motul Sparks Racing) – 10mins 59.353sec
2. Jagathishree Kumaresan (One Racing) – 11mins 05.706sec
3. Rakshitha Dave (RACR Castrol Power1) – 11mins 06.519sec
Girls Stock 165cc Race 2 results
1. Ann Jennifer AS (Motul Sparks Racing) – 10mins 55.279sec
2. Jagathishree Kumaresan (One Racing) – 10mins 57.190sec
3. Rakshitha Dave (RACR Castrol Power 1) – 10mins 58.280sec
Petronas TVS One-Make Championship
In the Expert (Apache RR310) category, Chennai riders showcased their dominance, with G Balaji taking the win followed closely by Mohan Babu and Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan. In the Rookie (Apache RTR 200) category, Akarsh Jangam and Hari Haran R each claimed victory, while Elakiya Ravi excelled in the Girls (Apache RTR 200) category.
Sarthak Chavan added another win to his record after his victory in the Stock 301-400cc race, this time triumphing in the electric RTE category.
Expert (Apache RR310) Race 1 results
1. G Balaji – 7mins 54.458sec
2. Mohan Babu – 7mins 54.669sec
3. Kaushik Subbiah Ganesan – 7mins 54.841sec
Rookie (Apache RTR 200) Race 1 results
1. Akarsh Jangam – 13mins 37.775sec
2. Poojita Anil Kumar – 13mins 37.776sec
3. Hari Haran R – 13mins 38.543sec
Rookie (Apache RTR 200) Race 2 results
1. Hari Haran R – 9mins 11.487sec
2. Poojitha Anil Kumar – 9mins 19.950sec
3. Hesali Nehansa Peiris – 9mins 20.010sec
Girls (Apache RTR 200) Race 1 results
1. Elakiya Ravi – 13mins 31.160sec
2. Jagathishree Kumaresan – 13mins 33.820sec
3. Sarah Khan – 13mins 48.364sec
Electric RTE Race 1 results
1. Sarthak Chavan (Petronas TVS Racing) – 7mins 21.348sec
2. Chiranth Vishwanath (Petronas TVS Racing) – 7mins 27.075sec
3. Senthilkumar C (Petronas TVS Racing) – 7mins 35.232sec
Honda India Talent Cup
Shifting from Moto3-spec NSF250R bikes used in previous years, the Honda India Talent Cup has adopted the CB300F motorcycle. Solomon R dominated the opening round, achieving two decisive wins.
Honda CB300F Race 1 results
1. Solomon R – 12mins 50.322sec
2. Ann Jennifer – 13mins 06.226sec
3. Alshin Thomas – 13mins 10.090sec
Honda CB300F Race 2 results
1. Solomon R – 17mins 03.481sec
2. Deepak Kumar – 17mins 13.576sec
3. Swaroop Krishna – 17mins 24.441sec
