ISRL Season 3 auction: Luke Clout tops bids in ₹4.5 crore rider pool
Synopsis
The ISRL Season 3 auction turned heads with a ₹4.5 crore purse, 13 riders from six countries, and Luke Clout becoming the priciest pick at ₹21,46,000. With a brand-new Indian Futures category and 30 domestic riders in the mix, the league is making a credible pitch to become India's premier motorsport franchise property.
Key Takeaways
The ISRL Season 3 Riders Auction was held in Pune on 11 November 2026 with an overall purse of over ₹4.5 crore .
Luke Clout was the most expensive pick, commanding a bid of ₹21,46,000 .
Indian rider Rugved Barguje secured ₹6,50,000 , one of the highest ever for a domestic rider in ISRL.
A total of 13 riders were selected across teams, representing countries including France, USA, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia .
Indewheelers Motorsports retained Calvin Fonvieille (France) and Witsarut Salangam (Thailand) from Season 2.
The new Indian Futures category provides a dedicated platform for 30 registered domestic riders to compete at international level.
The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season 3 Riders Auction in Pune on 11 November 2026 delivered a night of intense bidding, with franchises securing top international and Indian riders across four categories and an overall purse valued at over ₹4.5 crore. A total of 13 riders were selected across teams, drawing participants from Australia, Europe, the USA, Indonesia, Japan, and the South Asian circuit.
Top Bids of the Night
Luke Clout commanded the auction's highest price at ₹21,46,000, making him the most sought-after rider of the event. On the domestic front, Rugved Barguje stole the spotlight, drawing a contract worth ₹6,50,000 — one of the highest ever secured by an Indian rider in an ISRL auction. Riders from France, the USA, Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia led the international charge, keeping team owners in a prolonged battle through the night.
Retentions and Returning Faces
Indewheelers Motorsports opted to retain both their Season 2 riders: Calvin Fonvieille of France in the 250cc International category and Witsarut Salangam of Thailand in the 250cc India and Asia Mix category. Their retention signals a growing emphasis on franchise continuity and rider development within the league.
Four Categories, Greater Domestic Opportunity
ISRL Season 3 will feature four competition categories: 450cc International, 250cc International, 250cc India Asia Mix, and 250cc Group 'A' Foreign Bikes Only – Indian Futures. The newly introduced Indian Futures category is designed to give emerging Indian riders a dedicated platform to compete at international level, with 30 Indian riders registered across both the Indian Futures and 250cc India Asia Mix categories. This marks a structural step toward nurturing domestic talent within a globally competitive framework.
What the League Is Building
Commenting on the auction, ISRL Director Eeshan Lokhande said: 'ISRL is not just building a racing league, we are creating a new sports economy for India where athletes, teams, brands, and fans all converge. The Season 3 auction has shown the world that India is ready to back motorsport at scale, and this is just the beginning of our global journey.' The league's expanding international footprint — spanning five continents in rider representation — reinforces its ambition to position India as a credible host of elite-level supercross. This comes amid broader growth in Indian motorsport interest, with franchise-based leagues across disciplines gaining traction with investors and broadcasters alike.
Point of View
If still nascent, attempt to replicate the IPL playbook in an underserved motorsport market. The ₹4.5 crore purse is modest by global standards, but the trajectory — an expanding international rider pool, a new domestic-talent category, and multi-country representation — suggests the league is building infrastructure before chasing scale. The real test will come when broadcasters and jersey sponsors are asked to price the audience. Supercross's niche fanbase in India means ISRL must manufacture stars, not just import them.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ISRL Season 3 Riders Auction?
The ISRL Season 3 Riders Auction is the player selection event for the Indian Supercross Racing League's third season, held in Pune on 11 November 2026. Franchises bid for international and Indian riders across four competition categories, with an overall purse valued at over ₹4.5 crore and 13 riders selected on the night.
Who was the most expensive rider at the ISRL Season 3 auction?
Luke Clout commanded the auction's top price at ₹21,46,000, making him the most sought-after rider of the event. No other rider matched his bid across the four categories.
Which Indian rider drew the highest bid at ISRL Season 3?
Rugved Barguje drew a contract worth ₹6,50,000, described as one of the highest ever secured by an Indian rider in an ISRL auction. His selection is seen as a boost for domestic talent visibility in the league.
What are the four categories in ISRL Season 3?
ISRL Season 3 features four categories: 450cc International, 250cc International, 250cc India Asia Mix, and 250cc Group 'A' Foreign Bikes Only – Indian Futures. The Indian Futures category is a new addition designed to give 30 registered domestic riders a dedicated international-level platform.
Which riders did Indewheelers Motorsports retain for Season 3?
Indewheelers Motorsports retained Calvin Fonvieille of France in the 250cc International category and Witsarut Salangam of Thailand in the 250cc India and Asia Mix category, both of whom rode for the franchise in Season 2.
