Redemption On Track: My First Podium At 2026 TVS ARE GP

The last time I hit the track was during Round 3 of the TVS Young Media Racer Programme, and let’s just say, it didn’t end the way I had hoped. So when the opportunity to be a part of TVS Racing’s 2026 Apache Racing Experience GP came along, it felt less like another race weekend and more like a shot at redemption. Competing in the Novice Media category, what followed was a rollercoaster of challenges, pressure, and ultimately, a rather satisfying finish.

Practice Makes You Perfect

One of the biggest positives heading into the weekend was familiarity. I was back on the race-spec TVS Apache RTR 310, the same machine I had raced (and crashed out on) in the final round of YMRP. That meant I could skip the getting-to-know-you phase and jump straight into pushing harder, without falling of course.

The practice session reflected exactly that. With my braking and turn-in markers dialled in early, I was able to find a rhythm quickly. The lap times told their own story. I was the fastest in my category, with a comfortable 2-second gap to the next rider. A confidence booster? Absolutely. But also a reminder that expectations were now higher than ever.

Heading into qualifying, the goal was clear: lock in a front-row start. And that’s exactly how it played out. I secured P2 on the grid, which was the perfect place to launch an attack from. 

While the result brought a big smile, there was also a sense of calm before the storm. Because in racing, qualifying is just the beginning; the real test comes when the lights go out.

Time To Speeeeeddd

Race day arrived with a mix of nerves and excitement. Starting from the front row meant I had a real shot at taking control early on. The plan was simple: hold the revs at 6,000rpm, slip the clutch just right, and get off the line cleanly.

Lights out, and it worked to perfection! I nailed the start and jumped straight into the lead. For the first two laps, everything was going according to plan.

But racing rarely stays predictable. At Turn 2 of the Madras International Circuit, a heavy braking zone, I was divebombed by Nitin CH. That’s when the real battle began. What followed was some intense, close-quarters racing, but despite my best efforts, I crossed the line second. Close, but not quite there, still very satisfied.

Go Big Or Go Home

The grid for Race 2 was based on Race 1’s results, which meant I was back on the front row again. This time, the pressure felt heavier. I knew I had the pace, but execution was everything.

And once again, the start was spot on. In fact, even better than before. I pulled out a solid lead and kept things tidy at the front. The goal was clear: win this one and level the playing field.

But it was déjà vu. Nitin clawed back the lost ground and went for another late move at the same corner, but this time I was ready. While he ran wide, I held my line, only for us to make contact on the corner exit. It was a hard-fought racing incident, but the intensity had now gone up several notches. The battle escalated quickly. Drafting down the straight, going side-by-side into high-speed corners, and even more contact – it was proper elbows-out racing.

Not to toot my own horn, but Jehan himself said that I pulled off an awesome gutsy move into the big bowl complex. But I knew Turn 10, my weakest corner, would be decisive. And that’s exactly where I slipped up. Nitin made his move on the inside, and with just two corners to go, I found myself crossing the finish line second again.

A Day To Remember

Racing is something many of us grew up watching, dreaming about. But being out there, in the thick of it, is a completely different experience. From a brutal crash in my last outing to standing on the podium this time, it’s been quite the journey.

Yes, it could have gone differently. Yes, the win was within reach. But more than anything, this weekend brought valuable lessons, real racing experience, and the thrill of genuine on-track battles.

A second-place finish might not be the top step, but it’s a step forward. And the next time I’m on that grid, you can be sure I'll be aiming for nothing less than the win.