IML a boon for bike racing

If everything goes according to plan, the proposed Indian Motorcycle League (IML) may change the face of bike racing in the country. For the first time, the cream of India’s riding talent gets a chance to make a career out of their passion as the Chennai-based RS Motorsport launched an IPL-style franchisee-based league on Friday. The series will be powered by TVS Racing. 

The IML will be an endurance racing which is a popular form of motorsport that tests the durability of machines and the fitness of riders. For the inaugural year, the organisers are planning to sell eight city-based franchisees for a price of '10lakh each. 

“The franchisee cost also includes riders fee for the entire season. We will also provide them two fully-prepared TVS Apache RTR180 bikes and racing overalls. We have already finalised a few franchisees and in the final stage of negations with the others,” said Rasheed Khan, owner of the IML.

Each team will be assigned five riders — two each for a bike and one reserve, the 90-minute race has a mandatory rider change after every 25-minute stint. 

The organisers have identified a pool of 40 riders who have been classified into three categories (A, B and C) based on their achievements. 

“The riders will be assigned through a draw of lots. Each team will have a rider each from Category A and B and two from C. The likes of K. Rajini, Sarath Kumar and K. Jagan, who all have international experience, will fall in the elite A category,” said Rasheed. 

The organisers have also promised the much-needed television coverage and live webcasting. 

Apart from TVS Racing representative H.K. Pradeep, prominent riders such as Rajini, Sarath, Jagan and Harry Sylvester also attended the launch. 

TVS Racing’s Pradeep believes endurance racing is an ideal platform to showcase their reliable machine. “We can also use it for R&D purposes. We were the first manufacturers from India to support motorsport and started one-make event way back in 1986. Now, we are happy to be associated with this new series,” said Pradeep.