Racers in action during the 2019 INMRCMMSC

Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2020 kicks off this weekend

Keeping pandemic restrictions in mind, the entire championship has been planned to conclude within two back-to-back weekends

With the Covid-19 fears finally allaying and motorsport gradually inching back to normalcy, the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) is set to host India’s biggest bike racing weekend, which will include 29 races comprising 200 entries for the first round of the MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC) 2020, which gets underway at the MMRT on Friday, behind closed doors, of course.

Additionally, due to the pandemic and consequent restrictions, the 2020 two-wheeler racing championship has been packed into two consecutive weekends (December 11-13 and December 18-20) with competitions in 10 categories.

Speaking about the upcoming events, MMSC president Ajit Thomas said, “We are just bowled over by the response from the riders, especially the first-timers. Two-wheeler championship has always produced exciting and close races, and we expect much the same in the two rounds that we are organising this month. Due to the pandemic, lockdown and restrictions, the racing season was put on hold until last month when we squeezed in two rounds of races to complete the four-wheeler championship. Over the next two weekends, the safety protocols would be very much in place despite easing of restrictions and the events will be held behind closed doors.”

What to look out for

All of country’s top riders will be lining up as also India’s leading bike manufacturers, Honda, TVS, Yamaha and KTM for the INMRC. Nevertheless, their excitement is palpable, considering the INMRC usually kicks off around June, so the near 15-month break since the 2019 season, means we might get to see even more exciting action.

The National Championship comprises two Pro-Stock classes – the premier 301-400cc and 165cc – besides two Stock 165cc categories – Novice, which will have a grid of 40 riders, and Girls.

Also in the mix are two One-Make Championships organised by the MMSC – the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup (CBR 150cc and NSF 250R) and TVS One-Make Championship (RR 310 Open, Novice, Girls and Media).

Finally, the MMSC have left no stone unturned in ensuring that not only will all Covid-19 safety protocols be followed, but also that unforeseen events, such as unpredictable weather, have already been planned for – such as by providing grooved tyres for the Pro-Stock categories.

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