Chiranth Vishwanath wins Super Sport race at INRC 2W Round 3 in Chennai
Synopsis
Starting from eighth on the grid after a penalty, 19-year-old Chiranth Vishwanath sliced through the field, set a new lap record of 01:47.198 and defeated his own Petronas TVS Racing teammate Sarthak Chavan to win the Super Sport race at INRC 2W Round 3 in Chennai — a display that announced him as the one to beat in the championship.
Key Takeaways
Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru, 19) won the Super Sport 301-400cc Open at INRC 2W Round 3 at Madras International Circuit on 31 October 2026 .
He started from P8 due to a penalty and set a lap record of 01 minute 47.198 seconds .
Petronas TVS Racing completed a 1-2-3 sweep — Chiranth, Sarthak Chavan, and Rakshith Dave.
KK Anandhu (Veedol C2 Racing, Chennai) claimed a double — winning the Stock 301-400cc and Super Stock 165cc Intermediate races.
Poojitha Anil Kumar (Bengaluru) recorded her third consecutive win in the Women's category.
Jangam Akarsh (Vijayawada) won the Rookie class by less than a second from two rivals.
Chiranth Vishwanath of Bengaluru delivered a commanding performance to clinch victory in the premier Super Sport 301-400cc Open class at the third round of the Indian National Racing Challenge 2W (INRC 2W) 2026, held at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on 31 October 2026. The 19-year-old, starting from P8 after a penalty, overhauled pole-sitter and Petronas TVS Racing teammate Sarthak Chavan to take the top step of the podium.
From P8 to the Top Step
Despite the grid penalty that left him eighth on the starting grid, Chiranth wasted no time moving through the field. By Turn 4 on the opening lap, he had already advanced to second place, setting the tone for a dominant display. He then swept past race leader Sarthak midway through the six-lap encounter and proceeded to extend his advantage with every passing circuit.
In the process, he set a new lap record of 01 minute 47.198 seconds, underlining the gap in pace between himself and the rest of the field. Sarthak, who turned 20 the day before the race, chose to consolidate his position in P2 to secure championship points rather than risk a fruitless chase. 18-year-old Rakshith Dave rounded out the podium, completing a 1-2-3 sweep for Petronas TVS Racing — a dominant display for the factory outfit.
Other Race Highlights
Savion Sabu (MadRabbit Racing) of Bengaluru took a fine victory in the Pro-Stock 200cc Open race, a contest that was curtailed to three laps following two red-flag stoppages due to on-track incidents. It was the 19-year-old's second win in five starts this season.
KK Anandhu from Chennai, racing for Veedol C2 Racing, delivered a remarkable double on the day. He opened his account by winning the Stock 301-400cc race from seventh on the grid, then backed it up with victory in the Super Stock 165cc Intermediate after pole-sitter Ann Jennifer retired on the first lap, ending her unbeaten run across the previous two rounds.
Surya Reddy (RACR Castrol Power1) from Siddipet edged out Yashwant Varma (Motul Sparks Racing) from Visakhapatnam to win the Stock 165cc (Novice) race, which was also reduced from six to four laps following on-track incidents. Hari Haran R. of Coimbatore claimed a narrow maiden win of the season in the Expert class, pipping championship leader Rajender Beedani of Hyderabad.
Streaks Broken, Records Set
The day saw the end of two notable winning streaks. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan (RACR Castrol Power1), who had strung together three consecutive victories, was held to third place in the Super Stock 301-400cc Open by the experienced Rockers Racing duo of Senthil Kumar and Mathana Kumar. Similarly, Ann Jennifer's unbeaten run across two full rounds came to an abrupt end with her first-lap retirement.
Women's Category and Rookie Podium
Poojitha Anil Kumar of Bengaluru continued her outstanding form in the Women's category, registering her third consecutive win to strengthen her hold on the leaderboard. In the Rookie class, Vijayawada's Jangam Akarsh held off a fierce challenge from Dev Agastya Reddy (Bengaluru) and Godwin Clarence C (Coimbatore) in one of the closest races of the day — the top three finishers separated by less than a second.
With Round 3 concluded, the championship picture tightens ahead of the remaining rounds, with Chiranth's performance firmly putting him in contention at the sharp end of the Super Sport standings.
Point of View
But also raises questions about intra-team dynamics as the season progresses. The day's multiple red-flag stoppages and curtailed races also point to a safety and officiating conversation the organisers will need to address before the next round.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Super Sport race at INRC 2W Round 3 in Chennai?
Chiranth Vishwanath of Bengaluru won the Super Sport 301-400cc Open race at INRC 2W Round 3, held at the Madras International Circuit in Chennai on 31 October 2026. He started from P8 after a penalty and set a new lap record of 01 minute 47.198 seconds.
Where did Sarthak Chavan finish in the Super Sport race?
Sarthak Chavan, who had taken pole position, finished second. Realising he could not match Chiranth's pace after the mid-race overtake, he chose to maintain P2 and secure championship points.
Which team dominated INRC 2W Round 3?
Petronas TVS Racing dominated the Super Sport race with a 1-2-3 sweep — Chiranth Vishwanath first, Sarthak Chavan second, and 18-year-old Rakshith Dave third.
Who else won races at INRC 2W Round 3?
KK Anandhu (Veedol C2 Racing) claimed a double, winning the Stock 301-400cc and Super Stock 165cc Intermediate races. Savion Sabu won the Pro-Stock 200cc, Surya Reddy took the Stock 165cc Novice race, and Poojitha Anil Kumar won the Women's category for the third race in a row.
What is the Indian National Racing Challenge 2W?
The Indian National Racing Challenge 2W (INRC 2W) is a premier two-wheeler motorsport championship in India. The 2026 edition features multiple classes ranging from Novice and Rookie categories to the headline Super Sport 301-400cc Open class, with rounds held at circuits including the Madras International Circuit in Chennai.
