The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) has done it again—this time, not on the dirt track but under the auction hammer. The highly anticipated Season 2 rider auction turned into one of India’s biggest motorsport bidding wars, drawing global stars, dramatic showdowns, and a record-breaking purse of over ₹6 Crores.
What makes ISRL unique is that it’s the only franchise-based supercross league in the world where athletes don’t just line up at the starting gate—they go under the gavel in a full-blown auction. It’s a heady mix of adrenaline, strategy, and business, and this year’s spectacle made it clear: India’s motorsport scene is officially going big league.
A Truly Global Affair
This year saw over 155 registrations, with riders from across the globe vying for a spot. Competitors from Australia, Europe, the USA, Japan, Indonesia, and South Asia battled for attention from six franchise teams. In fact, French riders dominated the night, with 13 of them securing contracts across categories.
The action was particularly fierce in the 450cc and 250cc categories, where American, French, Indonesian, and homegrown Indian talent lit up the stage in back-to-back bidding duels.
By the Numbers – Season 2 Auction Highlights
- Highest Bid: American rider Kyle Peters stole the show, bagging the top bid of ₹20.7 lakhs.
- Top Indian Rider: Pune’s own Rugved Barguje grabbed a contract worth ₹9.5 lakhs—a historic high for an Indian rider in ISRL’s second season.
- Closest Bidding Rivalry: Franchises locked horns over Hugo Manzato vs. Calvin Fonvielle, sparking one of the night’s most dramatic battles.
- Rising Star: Jack Nunn, just 16 years old from Australia, became the youngest signing in the 250cc category, signaling a generational shift in the league.
- New Franchise Moves:
- Indewheelers Motorsports opened their season with Greg Arenda and Maxime Desprey.
- Tricolor Motorsports snapped up Adrien Malaval and Paul Haberland for their 450cc roster.
- Total Spend Across Teams: A massive ₹6 Crores, highlighting the swelling commercial muscle of India’s fastest-growing motorsport property.
Building More Than Just a League
“ISRL is not just building a racing league, we are creating a new sports economy for India where athletes, teams, brands, and fans all converge,” explained Veer Patel, Director of ISRL, summing up the larger vision behind the auction.
With 155 athletes going under the hammer (109 international and 34 Indian), only 36 riders were eventually picked up, boosting competition levels and raising the bar for the season ahead.
What’s Next?
Now that the rosters are locked, all eyes turn to October 2025, when ISRL Season 2 kicks off in Pune, before roaring into Hyderabad and Kerala. Fans can witness the action live in-stadium or follow the buzz online with #FlirtWithDirt, as ISRL promises a bigger, bolder mix of racing, entertainment, and fan engagement.
