Hyderabad's Rahil Pillarisetty clocked a blistering 1:48.806s to claim the pole position in the Super Sport 301-400cc Open class. The event marks a high-octane start to the second round of the MRF Indian National Racing Challenge at the Madras International Circuit.
- Rahil Pillarisetty secured the top spot in the premier Super Sport 301-400cc Open class.
- The event took place at the iconic Madras International Circuit (MIC) in Chennai.
- Poojita Anil Kumar led the women's category in the Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship.
The roar of engines returned to the Madras International Circuit (MIC) as the second round of the MRF Indian National Racing Challenge 2W kicked off with an intense qualifying session. The highlight of the day was the dominant performance by Hyderabad-based rider Rahil Pillarisetty, representing RACR Castrol Power1, who asserted his dominance in the most prestigious category of the event.
In the Super Sport 301-400cc Open class, Pillarisetty delivered a masterclass in precision and speed, clocking a lap time of 1:48.806s. This performance placed him ahead of formidable competitors Rakshith Dave of Petronas TVS Racing and Savion Sabu of Mad Rabbit Racing. The stakes were high, and the margin for error was slim, making Pillarisetty's pole position a significant psychological advantage heading into the main race.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the MRF Indian National Racing Challenge serves as a critical pipeline for Indian riders to transition from national circuits to international platforms. The dominance of teams like RACR Castrol Power1 and Petronas TVS Racing indicates a growing professionalization of motorsport infrastructure in India, focusing on telemetry, bike tuning, and rider endurance.
"Securing a pole position at MIC requires a perfect blend of late-braking courage and surgical precision through the technical corners."
Beyond the premier class, the qualifying rounds saw impressive displays across various categories. K.K. Anandhu took the lead in the Stock 301-400cc Novice class, while R. Hari Haran topped the Stock 165cc Novice category. The Pro-Stock 200cc class saw Venkatesan Iyyappan secure the pole, proving that the depth of talent in Indian two-wheeler racing is expanding rapidly.
The Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship provided a platform for specialized talent. Kamal Navas emerged as the fastest in the Expert class aboard the Apache RR 310. Furthermore, the women's category witnessed a stellar performance by Poojita Anil Kumar, who claimed the pole on the Apache RTR 200, highlighting the increasing inclusivity and growth of women in Indian motorsports.
However, not all riders had a smooth Friday. Sarthak Chavan and Chiranth Vishwanath faced setbacks and will be forced to start from the back of the grid after missing the qualifying sessions, adding a dramatic layer of 'come-from-behind' narratives to the upcoming races.
| Category | Pole Sitter | Best Lap Time |
|---|---|---|
| Super Sport 301-400cc | Rahil Pillarisetty | 1:48.806s |
| Pro-Stock 200cc | Venkatesan Iyyappan | 1:56.070s |
| Stock 301-400cc Novice | K.K. Anandhu | 2:02.528s |
| Women's (Apache RTR 200) | Poojita Anil Kumar | 2:14.923s |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the pole in the premier class?
Rahil Pillarisetty from RACR Castrol Power1 won the pole in the Super Sport 301-400cc Open class with a time of 1:48.806s.
Which rider topped the women's category?
Poojita Anil Kumar secured the pole position in the women's class of the Petronas TVS Racing One-Make Championship.