Flying the Tricolor at Chang International Circuit
International motorcycle road racing is an unforgiving arena where split-second judgment and corner-entry bravery determine whether a rider reaches the podium or finishes mid-pack. At the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, the opening round of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) played host to a historic moment for Indian motorsport. Competing in the TVS Asia One Make Championship, teenage racers Sarthak Chavan from Pune and Chiranth Vishwanath from Bengaluru achieved an unprecedented 1-2 finish for India in Race 2.
The TVS Asia One Make Championship provides a level playing field designed to showcase raw riding capability. All participants compete aboard identical race-prepared TVS Apache RR 310 OMC machinery. Powered by a modified 312cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder DOHC engine, the race bikes feature high-lift camshafts, specialized KYB suspension internals, carbon-aramid aerodynamic bodywork, and custom racing exhaust systems that enable top speeds exceeding 215 km/h along Buriram's kilometer-long front straight.
High-Speed Slipstreaming Battles and Tactical Defense
Race 2 commenced in blistering tropical heat, with track surface temperatures climbing past 45°C. Starting from the front rows of the grid, Chavan and Vishwanath engaged in a ferocious multi-bike slipstreaming dogfight against established frontrunners from Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. At Chang, the final sector features a notorious high-speed sweeping right-hander leading directly into a tight 90-degree final turn, where late braking often decides the race.
Chavan demonstrated remarkable maturity throughout the eight-lap contest. Managing tyre slip across the melting asphalt, he positioned his Apache RR 310 into the aerodynamic slipstream down the back straight, passing race leaders Hiroki Ono and Ramadan Rosli on successive laps. Behind him, 16-year-old Vishwanath carved his way through the pack with daring maneuvers through Turns 4 and 7, protecting Chavan's rear wheel. On the final lap, the Indian pair executed a flawless defensive formation, repelling fierce lunges into Turn 12 to cross the finish line in first and second positions, separated by just 0.142 seconds.
TVS Asia One Make Championship Race 2 Results
The official classification from Buriram demonstrates the exceptional pace of the Indian contingent:
| Finishing Position | Rider Name | Nationality | Machine Specification | Total Time | Gap to Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarthak Chavan | India | TVS Apache RR 310 OMC | 14:38.214 | Winner |
| 2 | Chiranth Vishwanath | India | TVS Apache RR 310 OMC | 14:38.356 | +0.142 s |
| 3 | Hiroki Ono | Japan | TVS Apache RR 310 OMC | 14:38.890 | +0.676 s |
| 4 | Ramadan Rosli | Malaysia | TVS Apache RR 310 OMC | 14:39.112 | +0.898 s |
| 5 | Decky Aldy | Indonesia | TVS Apache RR 310 OMC | 14:39.540 | +01.326 |
Engineering the TVS Apache RR 310 OMC Platform
The performance of Chavan and Vishwanath reflects the sustained engineering investment made by TVS Racing. The Apache RR 310 OMC project represents over four decades of factory racing development based in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. To prepare the machines for the demands of international competition at Buriram and Motegi, engineers reduced dry vehicle weight by over 30 kilograms compared to the road-going production model, integrating lightweight forged aluminium wheels, race-spec wiring looms, and programmable race ECUs.
During the race, tyre preservation emerged as the primary technical challenge. Each rider was allocated just two sets of Dunlop racing slicks for the entire race weekend. Chavan adjusted his riding geometry, shifting his body weight aggressively toward the inside pegs to minimize lean angle at the apex, thereby reducing lateral scuffing across the rear tyre shoulder. This tactical adjustment ensured superior drive grip out of the final corner, allowing him to defend his lead across the line.
The Road Ahead for India's Road Racing Stars
The 1-2 triumph in Thailand signals a profound shift in Asian road racing hierarchy. Historically dominated by Japanese, Malaysian, and Indonesian riders with access to extensive domestic mini-bike and underbone pipelines, Indian riders have traditionally faced steep development curves when transitioning to international circuits. The breakthrough performances of Chavan and Vishwanath validate TVS Racing's structured talent pipeline, which scouts riders through domestic One-Make cups before promoting them into international competition.
With the championship traveling to circuits in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan later in the season, Chavan and Vishwanath sit atop the international standings. Their success proves that Indian riders possess the mental fortitude and racecraft to win at the highest continental level, inspiring an entire new generation of aspiring racers across the subcontinent.
Sources
- AutoX, "2025 ARRC TVS Asia One Make Championship: India's Chavan and Vishwanath make history in Thailand", 28 April 2025, https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/2025-arrc-tvs-asia-one-make-championship-indias-chavan-and-vishwanath-make-history-in-thailand-120553/
- EVO India, "TVS Racing Diaries: Sarthak Chavan from Pune attains India's first podium finish at ARRC", 20 June 2024, https://www.evoindia.com/features/tvs-racing-diaries
- FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Official Portal, "TVS Asia One Make Championship Classification Round 1", 28 April 2025, https://www.asiaroadracing.com/
Source: AutoX: Chavan and Vishwanath make history in Thailand
