Indian Motorcycle League launched

Chennai: Indian Motorcycle League, a new concept similar to IPL format, launched here today by Indian and international motorcycle riders and officials.

Motorcyclists K Rajini, Sarath Kumar, K Jagan and Harry Sylvester, along with IML Chairman Rasheed Khan, launched the league.

IML is expected to provide Indian motorcyclists a platform to display riding skills in Endurance Racing in three rounds.

40 riders from eight cities will be selected under the franchise teams across the country to take part in the Endurance Racing Format.

The inaugural round will be held next month in Coimbatore, followed by two rounds in Chennai and the Formula 1 track at Noida. The IML Class has been approved by FMSCI.

IML has been supported by TVS Racing who is providing Apache RTR180 to the riders. TVS Racing has been in racing circuit for the last 28 years, with all their riders doing well both in domestic and international circuits.

"It gives us immense pleasure to announce the arrival of the Indian Motorcycle League (IML), a trendsetter and the first of its kind in Two Wheeler Racing in Indian motorsports with a new format," Rasheed Khan said.

"We have many talented young riders in India, but unfortunately the opportunities for them to perform are very limited. Keeping this in mind, IML has drawn up a plan to provide an opportunity to all the potential riders in India.

"IML will be providing all the necessary riding equipment and the bikes to each of the franchise team. Each team will also be provided its own and dedicated coach to train riders. All that the riders have to do is to come to the track and IML will make sure that everything is arranged for them to take part in the race, that they are, 'Ready to Race'."

IML has ambitious plans to take the series forward. In first year, it will include Indian riders while it will include Asian riders in the second year. International riders outside of Asia will be added in the third year.