The Kankanala Sports Group (KSG) recently entered into a partnership with FIM E-Explorer to oversee races in India. It has announced an independent, first-of-its-kind motorsport team that is homegrown. Named INDE Racing, it is a new team for the 2024 FIM E-Xplorer season. It is the first Indian team to compete in any officially-sanctioned international competition.
INDE Racing is set to participate in every round of Season 2, spanning from about ten months (February to November this year). The edition will be held on challenging tracks in Japan, Norway, France, Switzerland, and India.
Abhishek Reddy Kankanala, the founder of Kankanala Sports Group and INDE Racing, today said: “Despite the growing interest in motorsports in India, we have always missed a competitive independent team to cheer for. With the launch of INDE Racing, we aim to break new ground in Indian motorsports, not only on the racetrack but also in promoting sustainability, gender equality, and the spirit of innovation.” He seeks to inspire a "new generation of Indian riders and showcase the nation's prowess in the world of racing.”
The team's lineup will feature Indian trailblazer, Aishwarya Pissay, Asia's first female athlete to win a world championship in 2-wheel motorsport. Pissay is poised to represent her homeland across the globe and challenge for another World Title. “It’s truly exciting to be part of India’s first FIM-licensed team in history. Being able to be part of a project aiming to represent all Indians worldwide and make them proud is a unique opportunity," she said.
Besides, two seasoned international riders, including Canadian rider Spenser Wilton and Spanish rider Sandra Gomez, the reigning champion of the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup, will accompany Pissay.
“I am thrilled to be part of a project and a team championing gender equality in India and that is also trying to grow motorsports in a country with unparalleled potential," said Sandra Gomez.
Carina Munte, FIM E-Xplorer Co-Founder, added: “We are thrilled to welcome INDE Racing to our Championship in 2024. Having a pioneering motorsport team from India onboard spotlights how E-Xplorer is pushing boundaries across the globe. Their presence promises to be a significant driver of enthusiasm for a strong Indian fanbase and will act as a catalyst for the promotion of e-mobility and electric motorsport worldwide.”
To master the demanding courses and elevate their performance, INDE Racing has collaborated with KTM34 garage, situated in Europe’s largest moto complex in Mauguio's Motopark in France. This partnership ensures that the team's bikes are professionally tuned, delivering the maximum performance capability.
