- 2249 registrations received from the region out of ~10,000 registrations nationally
- Strong support from biker community in Chennai for India’s Ultimate MotoStar
Castrol POWER1, India’s premier performance lubricant brand, in collaboration with Viacom18 and Rajni Academy for Competitive Racing (RACR), concluded the first leg of auditions for Castrol POWER1 Presents India’s Ultimate MotoStar on MTV in Chennai. The event garnered an astounding 2200+ registrations from passionate motor racers in the region, out of a nationwide total of approximately 10,000 registrations. It also received encouraging participation from talented and resolute women riders standing shoulder-to-shoulder, displaying their immense talent and trailblazing performance.
The overwhelming support from Chennai’s vibrant biking community underscores the city’s status as a hub for motorsport enthusiasm. Participants showcased their skills through introductory videos, with the on-ground auditions in Chennai witnessing a stellar display of talent, making the selection process challenging for the esteemed jury including experts from RACR.
Reflecting on the initiative’s significance and the remarkable response, Mr. Rohit Talwar, Vice President and Head of Marketing of Castrol India Limited, remarked, “We are delighted by the surge of interest in motoracing across India, particularly in Chennai, where we received 2249 registrations. Our aim with India’s Ultimate MotoStar is to provide a platform for budding talents to pursue their passion for racing, and the enthusiastic participation reaffirms our commitment to nurturing the country’s motorsport talent.”
Selected participants from the rigorous auditions being conducted across top metros will undergo intensive training by renowned Indian racing legend Rajini Krishnan at the Kari Motorway in Coimbatore, culminating in an electrifying final race to determine the winners. The ultimate victors will earn the opportunity to visit the Castrol Honda LCR MotoGP™ team facility in Europe for an unforgettable moto-racing experience.
Expressing his appreciation for the initiative, Rajini Krishnan, founder of RACR, said, “I commend Castrol India for creating a national platform to unearth India’s motorsport gems. I am honored to mentor some of the country’s finest motorcycle racing talents at my RACR academy, guiding them towards global recognition and success.”
The first leg of auditions also witnessed some inspiring stories of the young brigade of women who were seen breaking the stereotype and blazing their path in motorsports. Jagatishree, an ambitious young female MotoRacer and archaeologist by profession rose against all odds and strong disapproval from her family in pursuing her passion for biking. “For me, my father is the biggest inspiration. I credit him for encouraging me to continue my MotoRacing dream by participating in India’s Ultimate MotoStar,” she said.
The commitment towards motorsports in Chennai took a step forward when Nisha S from Coimbatore narrated her story. This young MotoStar not only registered immediately and travelled to Chennai overnight for the audition but also purchased a bike to prepare for the competition. Her vision with this competition is to leverage her passion for the sport and further polish her skills as a MotoRacer.
Among other participants were also former MotoRacing champions and stunt bikers, including Soorya PM, a home-grown MotoRacing champion from Chennai, a former 2019 Endurance Champion, 2022 GT Cup Champion, and multiple-time national champion.
Castrol POWER1’s legacy in supporting moto-sports excellence has led to the development of advanced lubricants tailored for motorcycles. Through India’s Ultimate MotoStar platform, Castrol aims to empower riders to showcase their skills on the global stage, ensuring their talent receives the recognition it deserves.
