Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has signed a championship agreement with Panchshil Realty-backed BB Racing for the third season of the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL).
The team will race as Honda BB Racing and will wear Honda Racing’s red identity on the track as it begins the 2017 season with fresh championship aspirations.
Over the first two seasons, BB Racing has established itself as a strong force on the ISRL stage, with famous French rider Jordi Tixier providing some of the league’s most memorable performances. Tixier has been an amazing standout for BB Racing, winning individual titles and the All-Stars category while giving high-intensity performances and masterclasses across both seasons.
Under the agreement, HMSI will become the Title Sponsor of BB Racing, formalising an affiliation that began when the team elected to race on Honda machinery in ISRL’s debut season. Honda BB Racing will continue to race the Honda CRF450R and CRF250R motocross bikes.
Mr. Atul Chordia, Chairman of Panchshil Realty and Owner of BB Racing, and Mr. Mutsuo Usui, Director of Sales and Marketing for Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, signed the agreement in Pune in the presence of representatives from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India and the Indian Supercross Racing League.
The cooperation follows HMSI’s statement earlier this year of a strategy shift toward off-road motorsport. HMSI’s backing for Honda BB Racing will increase its involvement in Indian Supercross while bringing Honda’s worldwide off-road racing legacy closer to riders and motorsport aficionados in the nation.
The alliance combines Honda’s worldwide motorsport legacy and engineering philosophy with BB Racing’s long-term commitment to establishing a professional Supercross franchise in India.
Mr. Mutsuo Usui, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Indian riders are increasingly exploring new riding experiences, with growing interest in adventure and off-road motorcycling. Our title partnership with BB Racing reflects our support for this evolving riding culture and for the growth of professional Supercross in India. Having competed aboard Honda machinery since the inaugural season of ISRL, BB Racing is a natural partner for us. Through Honda BB Racing, we look forward to bringing Honda’s global off-road racing heritage closer to Indian riders and motorsport enthusiasts.”
Mr. Atul Chordia, Chairman, Panchshil Realty & Owner, Honda BB Racing, said, “BB Racing has always been driven by a passion for professional Supercross and a commitment to building a strong team in India. Honda has been an important part of our journey since we entered the ISRL, and bringing the two together as Honda BB Racing is a natural next step. This partnership marks an important milestone for the team, and we look forward to competing at the highest level while contributing to the growth of Supercross and off-road motorsport in India.”
Mr. Eeshan Lokhande, Co-Founder, Indian Supercross Racing League, said, “ISRL was created to bring together the key pillars needed to build a strong Supercross ecosystem in India, and manufacturer participation is an important part of that vision. HMSI’s title partnership with BB Racing is a significant step for the league and reinforces the growing role of OEMs in Indian Supercross. We believe partnerships like this can deepen industry participation and help establish India as a credible destination for the sport globally.”
With Honda BB Racing set to compete on the Season 3 grid with the CRF450R and CRF250R, the cooperation represents a new chapter for the team while also enhancing the relationship between motorcycle manufacturers and professional Supercross in India.
