Chennai, India, August 15, 2026: Pune’s 19-year-old Sarthak Chavan produced a dramatic last-lap victory to lead a 1-2 finish for Petronas TVS Racing in the Super Sport 301-400cc race on the opening day of the MRF Indian National Racing Challenge 2W-2026 at the Madras International Circuit (MIC) on Saturday.

Chavan, who started behind pole-sitter and team-mate Chiranth Vishwanath of Bengaluru, stayed in contention throughout the six-lap race alongside Hyderabad’s Rahil Pillarisetty of RACR Castrol Power1. With victory in sight, Chavan made his move on the final lap, overtaking both riders.

The decisive move came with plenty of drama as Chavan made contact with Chiranth at Turn 11. However, the young rider held his nerve to cross the chequered flag first. Chiranth finished second, while Rahil Pillarisetty, last year’s Pro-Stock National champion, completed the podium.

The race was also briefly overshadowed by a major crash at Turn 2 involving Rakshith Dave and Savion Sabu. Both riders were reported to be unhurt.

Ann Jennifer Dominates Super Stock 165cc Intermediate

Chennai rider Ann Jennifer of Motul Sparks Racing produced a dominant performance in the Super Stock 165cc Intermediate category. The former National women’s champion, the only female rider on the grid, controlled the race from start to finish without facing a serious challenge.

Ipone Yakuza Racing India riders Ajai Xavier and Anand Kumar finished second and third, respectively.

In the Super Stock 301-400cc Open class, Thrissur’s Alwin Xavier of RACR Castrol Power1 claimed victory after team-mate and race leader Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan retired on the fifth lap when his throttle body came off.

Xavier capitalised on the retirement to take the win ahead of Bengaluru’s Seshadri of Motul Gusto Racing and local rider Kamal Navas of Rockers Racing.

Savion Sabu, Hari Haran and Ashwin R Win Their Classes

Bengaluru’s Savion Sabu of Madrabbit Racing delivered an impressive ride in the Pro-Stock 200cc category. Starting from sixth position, Sabu worked his way through the field and eventually secured victory with a mature performance.

Coimbatore’s Hari Haran of RACR Castrol Power1 emerged victorious in the Stock 165cc Novice category after surviving a close battle in the leading group. Motul Sparks Racing riders Yashwant Varma from Visakhapatnam and Meghalaya’s Faruk Ali Sohtun completed the podium.

The Stock 301-400cc Novice race went down to the wire, with Bengaluru’s Ashwin R, competing as a private entrant, eventually taking the top step of the podium.

Poojita Anil Kumar Scores Maiden National-Level Win

The Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship also delivered plenty of action, with Bengaluru’s 18-year-old Poojita Anil Kumar securing her maiden National-level victory in the Women’s Apache RTR 200 category.

Starting from pole position, Poojita endured a difficult opening lap and dropped to sixth. The youngster remained composed, fought her way back into contention and eventually took the lead, which she held until the chequered flag.

Fellow Bengaluru rider Dhrishya Nair finished second, while Vadodara’s Kinjal Raj claimed third.

In the other Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship races, Hyderabad’s Rajender Beedani won the Open Expert RR 310 category, while Mancherial’s Vignesh Pothu took victory in the Rookie Apache RTR 200 class.

Provisional results (all 6 laps):

Super Sport 301-400cc (Race-1): 1. Sarthak Chavan (Pune, Petronas TVS Racing) (11min, 01.971secs); 2. Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, Petronas TVS Racing) (11:02.264); 3. Rahil Pillarisetty (Hyderabad, RACR Castrol Power1) (11:02.609).

Super Stock 301-400cc Open (Race-1): 1. Allwin Xavier (Thrissur, RACR Castrol Power1) (11:41.198); 2. Seshadri (Bengaluru, Motul Gusto Racing) (11:41.824); 3. Kamal Navas (Chennai, Team Rockers Racing) (11:42.805).

Super Stock 165cc Intermediate (Race-1): 1. Ann Jennifer AS (Chennai, Motul Sparks Racing) (12:48.559); 2. Ajai Xavier M (Nagerkovil, Ipone Yakuza Racing India) (12:51.139); 3. Anand Kumar S (Chennai, Ipone Yakuza Racing India) (12:55.914);

Pro-Stock 200cc Open (Race-1): 1. Savion Sabu (Bengaluru, Madrabbit Racing) (11:54.910); 2. Abdul Basim RS (Chennai, Chandra LGE Racing) (11:55.619); 3. Senthil Kumar (Coimbatore, Team Rockers Racing) (11:55.666).

Stock 130-16cc (Novice) (Race-1): 1. Hari Haran R (Coimbatore, RACR Castrol Power1) (13:11.711); 2. Yashwant Varma (Visakhapatnam, Motul Sparks Racing) (13:12.286); 3. Faruk Ali Sohtun (East Khasi, Motul Sparks Racing) (13:12.483).

Stock 301-400cc Novice (Race-1): 1. Ashwin R (Bengaluru, Pvt.) (12:19.448); 2. G Balaji (Chennai, VEEDOL C2 Racing) (12:19.498); 3. Aaron Joseph (Bengaluru, RACR Castrol Power1) (12:39.529).

Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship:

Open (RR 310) (Race-1): 1. Rajender Beedani (Hyderabad) (11:46.679); 2. Hari Haran R (Coimbatore) (11:47.751); 3. Manoj Yesuadiyan (Chennai) (11:53.767).

Women (Apache RTR 200) (Race-1, 5 laps): 1. Poojita Anil Kumar (Bengaluru) (11:28.499); 2. Drishya Nair (Bengaluru) (11:35.942); 3. Kinjal Raj (Vadodara) (11:42.814).

Rookie (Apache RTR 200) (Race-1): 1. Pothu Vignesh (Mancherial) (13:16.496); 2. Rehbar Islam Baktoo (J&K) (13:17.396); 3. Godwin Clarence C (Coimbatore) (13:22.991).