Akshay Bohra delivered a commanding lights-to-flag performance at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, claiming a well-earned victory in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). The win marks a major milestone in the young Indian-American driver’s career and further cements his reputation as one of the brightest emerging talents in junior single-seaters.

The 18-year-old, who became the first Indian to win a European single-seater title with his Euro 4 Championship triumph last year, made the step up to Formula Regional cars in 2024. Earlier this year, he also tasted victory in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship—signalling his smooth transition into more powerful machinery.

Arriving at Imola off the back of a podium finish at Paul Ricard, Bohra came into the weekend with strong momentum. He was consistently quick during pre-event testing on Thursday and Friday, frequently appearing at the sharp end of the timing sheets.

In Qualifying 1 on Saturday, Bohra narrowly missed out on topping his group, qualifying second by just 0.186 seconds behind his more experienced teammate. Starting P3 on the grid, he briefly slipped to fourth at the end of Lap 1 but quickly regained the position with what was arguably one of the best overtakes of the season. He went on to finish third, scoring his third podium of the season—the most ever by an Indian driver in the championship’s history.

Sunday, however, was a landmark day. Bohra claimed his first-ever pole position in FRECA—also a first for any Indian driver in the series. He then converted that pole into a dominant race victory, showcasing maturity, composure, and masterful control around one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar.

“Winning at Imola feels incredible. It’s a track with so much history, and to stand on the top step here is really special,” said Bohra. “The team gave me a fantastic car, and everything came together today. I’m proud of the progress we’re making this season.”

– Akshay Bohra

With this result, Bohra has climbed to 5th in the overall championship standings as the season crosses its halfway point. The victory is a testament to his relentless work ethic and rapid development in one of the most competitive junior categories in the world.
Akshay Bohra’s breakthrough at Imola not only highlights his undeniable talent but also stands as a proud moment for Indian motorsport, as he continues to inspire the next generation and represent India on the global racing stage.

About Akshay Bohra

Akshay Bohra was born in New York City and lived most of his childhood in Bangalore, India, where he began his racing career at age six in go karts. The 18-year-old Indian-American racing driver currently competes in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and is managed by driver management company ADD, which also manages reigning F1 vice world champion Lando Norris of McLaren Racing. He is the only Indian driver to have won a European single-seater championship, with a title-winning campaign in the 2024 Euro 4 Championship. With a background in international karting and consistent success in the junior formula scene, Bohra is regarded as one of the most promising talents in global motorsport and the best Indian prospect in recent history.

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Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) officially closed its rider registrations after receiving record-breaking registrations for Season 2. The auction, which will take place in August and will see over 150 riders being auctioned off to the 6 franchise teams. Going by last year’s format, each team will have 2 riders in each category, which are 85cc SX-4 Junior class, 250cc SX-3 Asia India Mix, 250cc SX-2 International and 450cc SX-1 International.

Global Participation from Champions across AMA, FIM, and National Supercross Circuits

This year, ISRL has attracted a record-breaking 155 riders, registering over 50% growth from Season 1 and establishing itself as a serious international platform for elite Supercross athletes.

With riders hailing from 21 countries across 6 continents, the 2025 roster showcases a powerful blend of world champions, rising stars, and homegrown Indian talent. The league’s exponential growth signals a pivotal moment in the evolution of motorsports in India, especially Supercross.

Joining the league for the first time are globally renowned Supercross athletes such as:

•  Greg Aranda (France) – 6X German Supercross Champion
•  Anthony Bourdon (France) – Vice Champion, French SX1
•  Maxime Desprey (France) – French MX & SX Champion
•  Justin Starling (USA) – AMA SX veteran with 106 main events
• Alexander Fedortsov (USA) – 2025 SMX Next AMA National Champion
• Luke Clout (Australia) – AMA SX top 5, World Supercross Championship rider

They will be racing alongside returning international stars, including:

• Matt Moss (Australia) – 9X Australian Champion, ISRL Season 1 450cc Champion
• Jordi Tixier (France) – MXON World Champion
• Reid Taylor (Australia) – ISRL Season 1 250cc International Champion
•  Lorenzo Camporese (Italy) – 5x Italian SX/MX Champion

From India, top performers like Ikshan Shanbhag and Rugved Barguje, who stood out in Season 1, reaffirm ISRL’s commitment to nurturing Indian racing talent.

Indian Supercross Racing League Putting India in Global Supercross Map

The attraction of global supercross talent is a testament that the Indian Supercross Racing League is on an upward trajectory and is already making a name for itself in the world of supercross.

Eeshan Lokhande, Co-Founder of ISRL, said: “Supercross in India is clearly on a sharp growth trajectory, and this year’s volume and quality of rider registrations reflect that momentum. The fact that we’ve attracted some of the most respected international names alongside every major Indian Supercross rider is a reflection of the trust we’ve built globally. ISRL is becoming a world-class racing platform that riders see as a credible and competitive destination. The amazing response received pushes us to raise the bar even further.”

John Short, USA (Top 10 AMA SX) who will be racing at ISRL for the first time, shared,”I’ve competed in leagues in various countries, and when I saw what the ISRL accomplished in Season 1, I knew I wanted to be part of it. I’m excited to race in India, and connect with fans and athletes from around the globe. The ISRL is growing fast, and being part of that momentum is something I’m really looking forward to. Back home in the U.S., we do a lot of Supercross, so I feel like my skills are polished and I’m ready to see how I stack up against some of the best international talent.’

Returning Riders Looking Forward to Season 2 of ISRL

Riders who raced in season 1 of ISRL are looking forward to the much anticipated season 2 of the league.

Matt Moss (9X Australian Champion) – “Season 1 was a fantastic experience. Coming to India was a cultural shift but in the best way. The people, hospitality, and racing all impressed me. With riders now coming from the US, France, and more Aussies joining in, Season 2 is shaping up to be even more competitive. I’m looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait for it to kick off.”

Rugved Barguje (India SX/MX Champion)– “Racing on a proper Supercross track in India was a dream. I competed in the Asia Mix category despite a thumb injury, but the adrenaline kept me going. I’m now fully recovered and aiming for a podium finish in Season 2.”

Jordi Tixier (MXON World Champion) – “ISRL’s debut season really impressed me. The energy from the fans, the tracks, and the dedication from the team were outstanding. The league clearly evolved with each race, showing how committed ISRL is to building something meaningful for the future of Supercross.”

With superstar Salman Khan as Brand Ambassador, Season 2 is set to be bigger, bolder, and faster. The league will feature multiple rounds in Indian cities from October to December 2025, across three competitive categories- 450cc International, 250cc International and 250cc India-Asia Mix.

The final list of registered riders will now be reviewed by team owners ahead of the Season 2 Mega Auction, which will determine franchise rider lineups. 

As ISRL continues to redefine the motorsport landscape, it remains focused on delivering world-class racing experiences, growing Indian motorsports, and becoming a platform where global icons and Indian talent thrive side by side.

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Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

We had the opportunity to speak to Akshay Gupta before he takes on one of the most gruelling endurance races in the world, the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. We discussed everything from his story of how he got here and how there is much more motorsports has to offer outside of Formula 1.

For those who don’t know you yet, can you tell us a bit about your background and how your motorsport journey began?

My name is Akshay Gupta, and I am currently racing in the Production car class & TCR class of the Nurburgring Endurance Championship (formerly VLN), while doing other endurance races across the world. My goal right now is to conquer The Green Hell. I want to set lap records here and win championships before I move on to other racing tracks and championships across the world.

I am also a tech entrepreneur who built a Connected Car startup focusing on the consumer market and sold it to Spinny in December 2021. I love building companies as much as I love racing cars.

Was there a moment when you thought to yourself that this wasn’t just a hobby, but something you could pursue professionally?

A lot of times. When I was doing the Nissan GT Academy, my laptimes in a completely new car, on the first lap, were faster than their factory driver on a couple of occasions.

Last year, doing my first ever race with the team, on a track like Nurburgring, I closed the gap to the last year’s champion within a few laps, and we had very close competition throughout the year. By the end of the year, we were beating them.

Regularly, in our class, we have drivers like WTCC champion, World Karting Champion, LeMans winners, ex-F1 drivers, and F2 drivers who have competed to gain their license. My laptimes were always faster than all of them. Yes, one can argue that for them it isn’t as serious since they are competing in the class to get their license. But as racing drivers, we are always trying to get the best out of the car.

After you measure yourself against so many drivers on so many occasions, you start thinking if this can be more than a hobby. To be honest, most of my racing is partly funded by the teams, so I’m already doing it semi-professionally.

What is one thing you love about being a racing driver, and one thing you hate about being a racing driver?

The feeling when you’re inside the car, the mind-body sync, it’s like you’re in a different dimension, there’s this disconnect between you and the world. I absolutely love it. I’m addicted to it. There’s this quote, “Racing makes Heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty” I’ve had this on my wall for a few years now. I wouldn’t want to degrade the love I have for the sport by comparing it to a drug addiction, but there’s no other analogy that I find apt to describe how addictive it really is. The feeling.

I hate everything that it takes to get there (laughs).. like every sport, the hours of training and rehab, the hours of making the money, travelling half way across the world 13-14 times a year, living in multiple time zones, the chaos of building & breaking racecars and the operations of it, the amount of money this all takes. It’s just exhausting. It’s funny how we spend 99% of the time in misery for those few hours of pure joy.

That to me is motor racing.

You stepped away from motorsport to build a startup, and returned to racing just six days after it was acquired. What was going through your mind while you were away from motorsports, and what brought you back? Or was it always the goal to build the startup and then fund your own racing?

I always dreamt of racing cars again. By the end of the 5th or 6th year, the literal dreams had started fading, but I always knew that I was partly building it to get back behind the wheel. There were other motivators, I’ve this idealistic side in me which wants to solve a lot of world problems, and at that time, I had started my business wanting to partly solve the road safety problems in the country.

But the thing that drove me the most to endure the pain and suffering that is running a business is another poster in my room which had this image of the cockpit of my dream racecar, the Porsche 911 RSR, and a line underneath it that said, “Racing is a life sentence”..

That motivated me for all those years.

The moment I got the cheque, I knew what I wanted to spend it on.

There’s this funny incident: I was hanging out with friends, and the wife of my closest friend told me that once I get married, my wife will make me stop racing, and I said it wouldn’t happen. We were on the verge of making a large bet on this, and my friend jumped into the conversation and told his wife that no one can convince this fool to stop racing in this world. This guy knows me the most, so that sums up my relationship with motorsport.

How did the opportunity to race in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring for the first time come about?

I always wanted to do the 24 hours. Last year, I couldn’t do it because I had not fully recovered from my hand surgeries and broken ribs. I broke my ribs in June, and the race was within a month. I didn’t want to take a chance because I’d broken the same rib back to back in a period of one month.

This year, we had a major crash in the last NLS race (May), and there wasn’t enough time left to prepare the car. So, I started speaking to other teams. There were a few offers, but AsBest made the most lucrative one. The prospect of going into the biggest race of the year with a team and car you know well, offering you such lucrative terms, was too good to reject.

Tell us about the team and the car you’re driving this weekend.

I’m competing with AsBest Racing in the Cupra Leon TCR. The TCR spec cars are used worldwide in various competitions, including the World Touring Car Championship (one of the 4/5 world champions crowned at the annual FIA prize-giving ceremony)

Compared to what I usually race, the Hyundai i30N Production spec racecar, the TCR is much faster and easier. It weighs 300kg less, has 50-70 more horsepower, a lot of downforce, race ABS, completely different suspension geometry, and you are sitting right behind the B pillar.

It should be 40 seconds faster around the ring than the production car and quite close to a GT4 car in speed.

What are your goals for this race, and also long-term, somewhere down the line, in a few years?

My goal is always to win. It’s a familiar car (Dubai) and a very, very familiar track! The teammates are familiar. The team is familiar. I think we should have the pace to win this one if all goes well. But it’s endurance racing and it is Nurburgring, so even if you’re the fastest outright by a mile, a win is not guaranteed. So, I’m here to give it my all.

This year, I’ll be testing GT4 cars with some teams. The idea is to decide whether I want to go GT4 or TCR for the next 3-4 years. TCR is something I’ve tried and enjoyed, but it has been a while since I drove a GT4 car, maybe a decade. Geographically, I want to continue racing in Europe for a few more years and then move to the Americas.

I might end up buying a car in the next few years. I’m working on something. It’s much better financially that way.

Of course, the ultimate goal is to race in GT3 cars across the world and win every single iconic race!

For someone who is just starting out in his racing career and wants to one day race in the 24h of Nurburgring, what would your advice be?

Look beyond F1. In the last 2 years of racing at the ring, I might have met 100s of drivers, and it’s astonishing to see how many of those drivers make a living racing at the Nurburgring alone. There are so many parallel ladders to explore apart from the usual F4>F3>F2>F1 ladder. Yes, you’ll get the best talent in the world competing with you over there, and that will hone your skills to do better, but it will also burn the biggest hole in your pocket.

There are so many ways to climb up the ladder of becoming a professional racing driver while spending 1/20th of the amount that the F1 ladder will take, with maybe 50-60 times better odds at making it.

Majorly, it’s not just about speed in the racecar. You’ve got to have the right attitude, learn how to work with the team and engineers, set up the car, and have a good relationship with everyone, including the co-drivers. Network and know everyone in the paddock. Opportunities knock. You’ve got to place yourself in the best position to grab them.

I would say that if you get everything right and are talented, you can find yourself with a factory seat on shoe shoestring budget too.

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Akshay’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, and it shows the next generation of racing drivers who want to be professionals that there is a big world of motorsports out there, outside of Formula 1. Here is wishing Akshay good luck for his upcoming race and whatever he has next in the future.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.