The India round of the 2024 FIM E-Xplorer World Cup has been cancelled due to “unforeseen logistical challenges”, series CEO Valentin Guyonnet has confirmed to Autocar India.
- INDE Racing third overall in debut season
- Sandra Gomez wins FIM E-Xplorer women’s title
India was supposed to host the electric motorcycle off-road racing series’ 2024 finale in November. However, this have been called off, and instead, the final two rounds were held in Switzerland. “Due to unforeseen logistical challenges in transporting the bikes from Switzerland to India within a short timeframe, combined with uncertainties surrounding customs clearance, we held both rounds in Switzerland this year,” Guyonnet explained to Autocar India.
However, he added that the series is hoping to make its India debut soon – “India remains a key part of our roadmap, and we are actively working with our local partners to finalise specific dates for an event in the near future. We look forward to bringing the excitement of FIM E-Xplorer World Cup to India soon.”
Indian team INDE Racing third overall
The FIM E-Xplorer World Cup is an endurocross series featuring electric motocross bikes, fielded by a mix of factory and private teams. Indian team INDE Racing joined the series this year, making them the first independent Indian team to compete in an FIM-sanctioned global series. And they completed their debut season on a high note, bagging third place overall.
Crans-Montana hosted the finale in Switzerland, with the track featuring a mix of dirt jump sections and technical passages, including logs and rocky sections. Sandra Gomez and Spenser Wilton both landed podium finishes, taking INDE Racing’s tally up to 479 points – enough to finish third overall. Bonnell took top honours with 498 points, while Honda Racing finished second with 490 points.
“It's amazing that we have put together a team that they can cheer for because so far, the teams Indians support have had no affiliation to the country. To finish third overall in our very first season and give them the opportunity to cheer for a team that truly belongs to the country is a special feeling,” said INDE Racing owner Abhishek Kankanala.
INDE Racing’s Sandra Gomez wins women’s category
Gomez wrapped up the season in style, finishing first on Day 1 and second on Day 2. With this, she has successfully defended her title in the FIM E-Xplorer women’s category. “The goal was to be involved and battle against the leading group in the last two races and I am very happy with myself for having done that. The track was a lot more supercross than I am used to and I needed to give my everything.” she said.
Over in the men’s category, INDE Racing fielded two riders – Spenser Wilton and Runar Sudamann – across the season. They scored 162 and 46 points, respectively, to finish third in the category.
Also see:
Madras International Karting Arena inaugurated by F1 champion Mika Hakkinen