PETRONAS TVS Racing, the factory racing team of TVS Motor Company, has officially announced its participation in the 2025 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC), commencing May 4 in Nashik. For the upcoming season, the team will field an updated line-up of riders and deploy upgraded motorcycles developed to meet the performance demands of rally competition.
With over four decades of involvement in Indian motorsports and a historic win rate exceeding 80% across competitive formats, TVS Racing enters the 2025 championship aiming to build on its legacy. This season also marks the 20th anniversary of the TVS Apache brand, a key symbol of the company’s performance-driven engineering and its motorsport-to-production transfer philosophy.
Vimal Sumbly, Head of Premium Business at TVS Motor Company, noted that the 2025 season reflects the company’s ongoing investment in both technological advancement and rider development. He emphasized that the upgraded rally motorcycles, coupled with international-level rider training, are intended to raise performance standards within Indian motorsports.
The 2025 rally motorcycles have been extensively redesigned with technical enhancements inspired by international rally events such as the Dakar Rally. Key improvements include a modified camshaft and cylinder head to enhance midrange and top-end power output. Suspension systems have been recalibrated for improved traction and control under high-speed rally conditions. Ergonomic refinements to the seat, footpegs, and handlebar position aim to minimize rider fatigue and increase precision over long competitive stages. These upgrades are the result of benchmarking against global rally standards.
TVS Racing has announced its 2025 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) team, featuring a blend of experienced champions and promising newcomers across multiple categories. In the Superbike Pro-Expert Group A, the team will field Abdul Wahid, reigning champion Rajendra RE, and Samuel Jacob, all competing on the TR 450R. The Super Sport 260 Group B category will see participation from Imran Pasha, Banteilang Jyrwa, and Sachin D, who will ride the TR 200R.
In the Women’s Class, multi-time national champion Aishwarya Pissay will continue to represent the team aboard the TR 200R. TVS Racing also enters the Scooter Class (up to 210cc) with riders Asif Ali, Shamim Khan, and Karthik N, all of whom will compete using the Ntorq SXR 125. This diverse and skilled lineup highlights the team’s commitment to excellence and talent development across all competitive classes.
In preparation for the 2025 season, TVS Racing has emphasized international training and exposure. Group A riders participated in intensive training sessions in Dubai and competed in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, focusing on navigation, endurance, and high-speed precision. Aishwarya Pissay continued her development with competitive entries in the Hungary and Spain rounds of the 2024 Baja World Cup.
The 2025 campaign coincides with the 20-year milestone of the Apache motorcycle brand. The Apache range (160cc to 310cc) features advanced technologies including ride-by-wire throttle systems and race-tuned fuel injection, derived directly from the company’s motorsports R&D. The Apache Owners Group (AOG), with a community exceeding 400,000 members, reflects the brand’s sustained consumer engagement and performance heritage.
Established in 1982, TVS Racing has played a pivotal role in shaping motorsport culture in India. It was the first Indian manufacturer to introduce a One Make Championship in 1994, and it continues to use racing as a platform for innovation and talent development. With its entry into INRC 2025, PETRONAS TVS Racing reaffirms its commitment to competitive excellence and technological leadership in Indian motorsports.
