MUMBAI, 17th July 2025: In a single blockbuster week, India’s Indian Racing League (IRL) and Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) announced celebrity-backed team rosters and expansion plans. This development comes against the backdrop of 24-year-old Kush Maini winning the Formula 2 race in Monaco just a few months ago. The momentum is undeniable: India is growing its domestic racing industry while its drivers strive for global success.
“This is the kind of week that proves motorsport in India is no longer fringe,” said Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), which is now at the forefront of India’s motorsport industry and was one of Maini’s early supporters. “We are building institutions, achieving global success, and, most importantly, creating domestic opportunities.”
The twin engines, IRL and ISRL, gain traction.
IRL, now in its fourth season, is Reddy’s most daring venture yet: a city-based, franchise-driven league featuring international drivers, domestic prodigies, and celebrity team owners.
The 2025 IRL driver draft includes a lineup designed for maximum grid appeal. Teams such as Speed Demons Delhi (owned by Arjun Kapoor), Hyderabad Blackbirds (Naga Chaitanya), and Goa Aces (John Abraham) are investing in both racing history and new talent. The draft includes Le Mans winner Neel Jani, Ferrari Challenge star Fabienne Wohlwend, and Indian talent such as Ruhaan Alva, Shahan Ali Mohsin, and Sohil Shah.
“Motorsport requires stars and scale,” Reddy stated. “We are combining both. It’s more than just the race; it’s about the ecosystem, the content, the merchandise, and the fanbase.”
Along with the IRL, the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) fuels the adrenaline on two wheels. The stadium-based supercross format, co-founded by Veer Patel and Eeshan Lokhande, combines motocross culture with Gen Z energy. Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh, as well as corporate backers JSW and CEAT, own franchises such as SG Speed Racers and Pune Panthers.
I also like what ISRL is doing, creating a live-action, dirt-track spectacle, he explained. “It complements IRL’s polished tarmac. Together, we are providing fans with a racing season that spans formats, cities, and communities.
Bollywood megastar Salman Khan also unveiled Season 2 of the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL), where he serves as the brand ambassador. With Khan’s immense influence, cross-demographic appeal, and personal passion for motorcycles and fitness, ISRL is poised to transcend niche sport boundaries and evolve into a mainstream cultural phenomenon.
As part of the mission to elevate Supercross in India to a global level, Salman Khan also launched the ‘ISRL Proving Grounds,’ dedicated to grassroots motorsport development in India. The facility, to be built on a 7-acre site near Pune, will feature multiple purpose-built tracks, including those for amateurs, kids, motocross, supercross, ATVs, electric bikes, trail riding, and more.
From Monaco to Madras: A Global-Local Race
While the IRL and ISRL are gaining traction at home, Kush Maini’s pole-to-flag F2 victory in Monaco has stunned the international racing community.
Maini, backed by RPPL and currently Alpine’s reserve driver, is a product of India’s fledgling driver development program.
Reddy believes that the global-local dynamic represents motorsport’s greatest opportunity in India. “Young fans know who Max Verstappen is,” he explained. “Now they’ll know who Kush Maini is, and they’ll root for someone from Bengaluru or Hyderabad in IRL.”
Racing as entertainment—and enterprise.
Beyond the flags and podiums, Reddy is determined to turn motorsport into a serious business vertical.
Initially, it was all passion. We now have structure—leagues, intellectual property, franchise models, and investor interest, he explained. With IRL’s broadcast presence and packed stadiums, the audience is expanding, as are commercial tie-ups. Sponsors such as JK Tyre, Petronas, ExxonMobil, and Kingfisher are exploring deeper motorsport integrations. “Motorsport provides performance-led storytelling. “When packaged correctly, it’s a brand marketer’s dream,” Reddy said.
The inclusion of film stars, cricket legends, and FMCG brands is intentional. Celebrity endorsements, including Sourav Ganguly (Kolkata Royal Tigers) and John Abraham (Goa Aces), have increased visibility, but Reddy insists that the product must win fans.
“We’re creating a calendar that lets fans know when a race weekend is coming up, similar to the IPL or Formula One,” he explained. “Whether it’s Supercross under floodlights or IRL street races, we want motorsport to become a regular habit.”
What Is Next: From Passion to Platform
What’s changed in the last few years is the structure. “For too long, motorsport in India was an enthusiast’s pursuit of a passion project,” Reddy explained. “Now we’re professionalising it. There’s talent discovery, team ownership, franchise value, and intellectual property.”
That shift has also attracted younger fans and creators. Racing is evolving into a form of content rather than competition. “We’re investing in digital storytelling, social media presence, and behind-the-scenes footage, which is how Gen Z consumes sports,” he added.
However, Reddy’s ultimate goal is to make racing a viable career option rather than a spectator sport. “The dream is to see more Kush Mainis, more female racers, and more homegrown teams on the world stage. That’s when you realise you’ve created something lasting.”
India’s motorsports scene is no longer a blip. With local leagues gaining traction and international ambitions skyrocketing, the country isn’t just in the race; it’s aiming for pole.
As the 2025 season approaches, India’s motorsport ecosystem appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough. MotoGP is expected to return to the Buddh International Circuit in 2026, and while the Formula E Hyderabad E-Prix has hit speed bumps, talks are underway to revive it.
The real change, according to Reddy, is cultural. “We now have 12-year-olds using simulators, karting academies in Tier 2 cities, and engineering students working on pit crews. Motorsport is no longer a side gig; it’s a career.”
However, the finish line remains far away. Infrastructure gaps, regulatory barriers, and consistent funding are all ongoing challenges. “We are still building the runway,” Reddy admitted. But the plane is ready; we now have pilots, fans, and fuel to take off,” he added.
