Nataraj, Jinendra Shine as FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship Kicks Off in Bangalore

Bangalore, September 30, 2025: The 2025 FMSCI Indian National Rally Sprint Championship (2-
Wheelers) roared into life with its South Zone qualifier at the rugged dirt tracks of the Tribal
Adventure Café on the city’s outskirts, setting the stage for an electrifying season ahead.

Organized by the Indian Automotive Racing Club (IARC) and promoted by FB Motorsports under the leadership of multiple national champion Farad Bhathena, the opening round drew an impressive 79 entries across 12 classes, ranging from scooters and Royal Enfields to high-performance motorcycles.
For the large crowd of motorsport enthusiasts, the day brought thrilling action, dust clouds, and
fierce rivalries. The championship, run under the aegis of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of
India (FMSCI), also served as a qualification round for the finals, where national champions will be
crowned.

At the heart of the action stood R Nataraj of Vamcy Merla Sports Foundation, who stamped his
dominance in the premier Open Class up to 500cc, not only clinching the top spot but also recording
the fastest time of the day (5 min 36.8 sec). His flawless run set the benchmark and underscored his
status as the rider to beat this season. Matching that time to the fraction was 17-year-old sensation
Jinendra Kiran Sangave, who stunned the paddock in the Teenager Class, immediately marking
himself as one of India’s most exciting upcoming prospects.

VM Sports Foundation’s Commanding Presence

The VM Sports Foundation riders lit up the leaderboard with multiple wins and podiums, proving
their collective strength. Nataraj doubled up by taking Class 2 (Privateers up to 500cc), while Sanjay
Somashekar added a third in that category and a runner-up finish in Class 3 (Up to 165cc). Bharath L
dominated Class 3 outright and returned for another win in Class 10 (Above 165cc–260cc), making
him one of the day’s most consistent performers.

Elsewhere, D Sachin prevailed in Class 4 (Above 165cc–260cc), with Nithyan L backing him up with
two podiums across Classes 3 and 4. The versatile Hemanth M grabbed second in Class 5 (Above
260cc–460cc) and another podium in the Scooter category, while Goutham N and N Karthik ensured
a strong finish for the Foundation by taking first and third in Class 7 (Scooters up to 210cc).
VM Sports’ dominance extended to the Women’s Class (up to 260cc), where Somya Chaudhary took
victory ahead of Ryhana Bee and Epsi Ambrose, underlining the team’s depth across genders and
age groups.

Other Class Winners:

Class 1 – Open up to 500cc: 1. Nataraj R, 2. Samuel Jacob, 3. D Sachin
Class 2 – Up to 500cc (Privateers): 1. Nataraj R, 2. Sanjay Somashekar, 3. Sinan Francis
Class 3 – Up to 165cc: 1. Bharath L, 2. Sanjay Somashekar, 3. Nithyan L
Class 4 – Above 165cc to 260cc: 1. D Sachin, 2. Nithyan L, 3. Yogesh P
Class 5 – Above 260cc to 460cc: 1. Sinan Francis, 2. Hemanth M, 3. Suhail Ahmed
Class 6 – Royal Enfield up to 500cc: 1. Sinan Francis, 2. Suhail Ahmed, 3. Arun Joy
Class 7 – Scooters up to 210cc: 1. Goutham N, 2. Hemanth M, 3. N Karthik
Class 8 – Women’s up to 260cc: 1. Somya Chaudhary, 2. Ryhana Bee, 3. Epsi Ambrose
Class 9 – Veteran (50+): 1. Venu Rameshkumar, 2. Jeevarathinam J
Class 10 – Above 165cc to 260cc: 1. Bharath L, 2. Thangaraj S, 3. Raghavendra Rao DB
Class 11 – Above 260cc to 460cc: 1. Arun Joy M, 2. Sathish S, 3. Chandan Kumar M
Class 12 – Teenagers (15–18 years, above 165cc–260cc): 1. Jinendra Kiran Sangave

Behind the Scenes

The challenging track layout was designed under the able guidance of the Amit Arora by Sanjay
(“Tribal Sanjay”) and Dev, both revered mentors in the sport, who ensured the course tested riders’
skills in every way possible. Clerk of the Course Amit Arora oversaw smooth and safe operations,
delivering a professional event that matched international standards. “Yes, these guys did good work
on the ground but we had to make sure that the final track was absolutely safe and ensured that
ambulance could go through the entire route,’’ felt Amit Arora, one of the best race directors in
India.

Promoter Farad Bhathena expressed delight at the strong turnout: “The response has been
overwhelming, with 79 entries across 12 classes. Our goal is to make this series bigger and better,
round after round in each zone.”

Abijith Shetty, the Team Manager for the two-wheeler division of Vamcy Merla Sports Foundation,
said: “This opening round has been an incredible start for our riders and for Indian motorsport as a
whole. To see our young talents perform shoulder to shoulder without an inhibitions, and even dish
out solid times, reflects the depth and future of the sport in the country. At VM Motorsports, our
focus is on creating pathways for riders across all categories…, whether juniors, women, or veterans
and to showcase their talent at the national stage.” Shetty was also a former biker and Promoter of
the Indian National Motocross Championship.

Looking Ahead

With the South Zone round concluded, the INRSC 2025 now heads to other regions, promising more
fierce battles as riders fight for a spot in the finals. Only then will the official National Champions in
Sprint Rallying be crowned by the FMSCI. Judging by the blistering pace in Bangalore, the season
promises unforgettable duels and new heroes in Indian motorsport.