TVS Motor Company has announced a partnership with lubricant maker PETRONAS for its racing program. As part of the partnership, the company's factory team has been rebranded as 'PETRONAS TVS Racing' and the company will be using the new livery on racing machines in the upcoming season. As part of the partnership, the TVS race bikes will use the PETRONAS Sprinta high-performance engine oil, which will be further developed based on the feedback, the company announced.
Founded in 1982, TVS Racing has played an integral role in developing many two-wheelers by TVS Motor Company. The experience from racing has helped TVS engineer well rounded and popular machines, elevating the homegrown manufacturer to be the second largest exporter of motorcycles from India.
Speaking about the partnership, KN Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO TVS Motor Company said, "We are delighted to have PETRONAS as our partner for TVS Racing. PETRONAS comes with many progressive technological solutions, backed by significant wins in prominent racing events. I am confident that PETRONAS' global expertise and solid presence in motorsports combined with TVS Racing's four decades of strong racing heritage will take us to greater heights."
Datuk Sazali Hamzah, Executive Vice President and CEO Downstream PETRONAS said, "PETRONAS continues to make headway across the value chain in India. Amongst the examples of a significant portfolio, enhancements include supplying LPG through IndianOil PETRONAS Pvt. Ltd. (IPPL), provision of rooftop solar panels via AmPlus Energy. Today, we seal a stronger partnership with one of India's most respected OEM, TVS Motor Company, with the PETRONAS TVS Racing Team launch. PETRONAS lubricants have a solid track record in global motorsport events, and we are proud to support TVS Racing's ambitions."
PETRONAS TVS Racing will participate in road-racing, supercross, and rally formats of racing, including the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), Indian National Supercross Championship (INSC), and Indian National Rally Championship (INRC).
Furthermore, the lubricant maker will launch the PETRONAS TVS TRU4 RacePro co-branded engine oil for Apache RR 310 customers that will go on sale from May 2022. Both companies have signed the partnership agreement for a period of five years and are open to increasing the same in the future depending on the results. TVS and PETRONAS will continue to work together and develop more engine oils in the future for its other motorcycles as well, the company revealed. However, the tie-up is still in its nascent stages and future plans will depend on how the brands perform in the competitive environment.
Meghashyam L Dighole, Vice President, New Product Development, TVS Motor Company said, "TVS Racing has been a prominent force in Indian Motorsports for over four decades. We are immensely committed to motor racing in the country and have been continuously working towards growing the interest and enthusiasm for the sport here. Our partnership with PETRONAS is a testimony of this, and it gives me immense pleasure to announce the renaming of the TVS Racing Team to PETRONAS TVS Racing Team.
PETRONAS' association with TVS will be restricted to the team's national Racing Championship. The brand's international programs including the newly Announces TVS Asia One Make Championship, as well as other rally events will continue to use the TVS Racing name. The brand could incorporate the PETRONAS name and the new livery for its international events in the future.
