Expressnews
Chennai: Castrol POWER1 in collaboration withViacom18 has concluded the thrilling search for India’s top motorcycling talent with the Grand Finale of Castrol POWER1 presents India’s Ultimate MotoStar on MTVat the iconic Kari Motor Speedway Racetrack in Coimbatore. This electrifying event, which saw fierce competition among the nation’s best, crowned Pillarisetty Sai Rahil from Hyderabad, Jagadeesh Nagaraj from Bengaluru, and Padhmini Mohan Nair Soorya from Chennai as India’s Ultimate MotoStars. As a reward, these three winners will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of undergoing exclusive training at the prestigious Castrol Honda LCR MotoGP™ Team’s racing facility in Europe.
The power-packed journey of India’s Ultimate MotoStar right from auditions, selection, training, and final races to determine the winners, hosted by bike enthusiast, Karan Kundrra is set to air in a 1-hour special episode on MTV and a three-episode series on JioCinema on 1 June 2024 at 8:30 pm.
Launched in December 2023, this exhilarating initiative by Castrol POWER1 and Viacom18 aimed to uncover and nurture the country’s most promising motorcycle racers. This first time ever initiative attracted over 50,000 aspiring riders from not only the metro hubs but also tier II and III cities, that included participants from various backgrounds such as engineers, businessmen, mechanics, students, women riders, including mothers, epitomizing the spirit and passion of India’s biking community. Out of this, through a meticulous selection process, 240 contestants were shortlisted to come for city auditions that were held in Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Kolkata.
After intense scrutiny, and a series of exhilarating challenges, the ULTIMATE 18 were selected to competefor the title of India’s Ultimate MotoStar. These 18 finalists then received advanced training at the iconic Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore under the leadership of Indian racing legend Rajini Krishnan from India’s esteemed racing and training academy, RACR. With a rigorous professional training, the final rev-up race was conducted as per the standards of international motoracing championships under the guidance of FMSCI, to determine the winners of India’s Ultimate MotoStar.
Mr. Rohit Talwar, Vice President and Head of Marketing, Castrol India Limited, said, “India’s Ultimate MotoStar is a phenomenal success, offering bike enthusiasts the opportunity to hone their skills under the guidance of expert professionals and unleash their full potential. We are thrilled to provide these young riders with a platform to showcase their talents. Congratulations to our winners, who now have the incredible opportunity to train with the Castrol Honda LCR MotoGP™️ Team in Europe.”
Commenting on the initiative, Vivek Mohan Sharma, Head of Branded Content at Viacom18, emphasized, “At Viacom18, we’re dedicated to crafting innovative branded content solutions that drive platform-agnostic impact, ensuring maximum reach and engagement across TV and OTT-digital. Our collaborative effort with Castrol POWER1 has led us to create a groundbreaking property – ‘India’s Ultimate MotoStar’. This show brings India together, for the first time ever, on a thrilling hunt for moto-racing talent. Through this collaboration, we’ve not only showcased the prowess of India’s biking community but also demonstrated the effectiveness of strategic partnerships in delivering power-packed brand experiences.”
11-time national champion Mr. Rajini Krishnan, added,“The dedication and raw talent displayed by the contestants in this competition was truly inspiring. Mentoring these young riders and witnessing their growth has been a rewarding experience. I am looking forward to seeing motorsports growth in India.”
Lucio Cecchinello, Owner and Team Principal of the Castrol Honda LCR MotoGP™ Team, stated, “We are excited to welcome the winners to our European facility. This initiative perfectly aligns with our mission to push boundaries and foster talent. We look forward to providing these riders with top-tier training and insights, helping them reach their full potential.”
