Sliding Into My First Podium: Racing At The 2026 Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final

  • Published March 15, 2026
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When sliding sideways earns you a podium finish!

2026 Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final: Race Experience

Flat track racing is one of those disciplines that looks deceptively simple until you try it yourself. Sliding a motorcycle through corners on loose dirt requires a very different skill set compared to regular road riding. It demands precise throttle control, correct body positioning and the confidence to let the bike move underneath you while still staying in control.

That’s exactly what I experienced when I travelled to Jaipur to attend the 2026 Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final. After having previously attended the regional training session in Pune at Autologue, the finale in Jaipur was the next step – not just to learn more about sliding, but also to put those skills to the test on race day.

Basics And What Was Differently Taught Here

The first day of the event was dedicated to practice and brushing up on the fundamentals. The instructors began by revisiting the basics – the correct body posture, how to position your weight on the motorcycle and how to initiate a slide safely while entering a corner.

This refresher was particularly useful because earlier during the regional training session in Pune, we had ridden the Royal Enfield FT411. However, in Jaipur there was a pleasant surprise waiting for us.

This time around we were riding the Royal Enfield FT450, a flat track race machine based on the Guerrilla 450. The bike felt noticeably sharper, lighter and more responsive, which made the learning experience even more engaging.

2026 Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final: Race Experience

The training focused on understanding traction and controlling slides more precisely. Instead of simply breaking rear traction, the instructors emphasised how to manage the throttle to maintain a controlled slide throughout the corner. We also spent time practising both power slides and proper flat track slides, which require a slightly different approach to corner entry and throttle input.

The practice sessions gradually built confidence. Although I did have a small lowside while exiting a corner, it served as a useful reminder of my limits and helped me approach the rest of the sessions with more focus.

Race Experience

The morning of the race day began with the professional riders completing their qualification rounds. Watching them slide around the track with incredible precision made it clear how demanding the sport can be.

Later in the day, it was time for the media category finals, where four of us lined up on the grid. The results would be decided through three races of five laps each, with points awarded based on finishing positions.

The track had been watered and prepared for the races, which meant grip levels were inconsistent. Some sections had decent traction while others were extremely slippery.

Race 1 began with a decent start, and I quickly moved into second position. Instead of pushing too aggressively, I focused on maintaining a consistent pace and managed to hold second place until the chequered flag.

2026 Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final: Race Experience

In Race 2, the competition was much closer. I was chasing the race leader, Gaurav Kaviya (Jo Jo Wheelie on Instagram), while Manaal Mahatame from Motoring World was right behind me. Unfortunately, while downshifting from second to first gear before a corner, I accidentally hit neutral and went slightly wide. That gave Manaal the opportunity to dive in from the inside and overtake me. I finished the race in third place.

Going into the final race, I knew I had to push harder to secure a strong overall result.

As the race started, I got my best launch of the day and grabbed the holeshot. Gaurav stayed close behind and constantly pressured me for the lead. At one point, he managed to slip past me on the inside, but he carried a bit too much entry speed and went wide on the exit. That gave me the chance to cut back underneath and retake the lead.

From there on, the goal was simple – avoid mistakes. I managed to hold the lead and crossed the chequered flag in first place.

With the points from all three races combined, I finished second overall in the media category, securing the first podium finish of my motorsports journey.

2026 Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final: Race Experience

What Made Me Better And What I Still Need To Learn

The Slide School experience highlighted just how much flat track riding can improve overall riding skills.

Over the course of the training and races, I became much better at controlling the throttle while the bike is sliding, understanding how traction changes on loose surfaces and managing the motorcycle when it starts moving around underneath you.

At the same time, the experience also showed me areas where I still need improvement. Proper body positioning is something that requires constant practice, especially when transitioning between corners. Another aspect I need to work on is learning how to lean the bike further into the corner while maintaining a stable slide.

2026 Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final: Race Experience

Verdict

The Royal Enfield Slide School Cup Final turned out to be far more than just a racing event. It was a learning experience that genuinely helped refine my riding skills.

From understanding throttle control during slides to learning how to manage traction on a constantly changing surface, the entire experience offered valuable lessons. Sure, there is still a lot for me to improve, especially when it comes to body positioning and leaning the bike deeper into corners – but that’s part of the journey.

More importantly, the experience has sparked a new goal.

Next year, instead of returning in the media category, I want to train harder, improve my sliding technique and try to qualify the way the professional riders did. Because once you experience the thrill of sliding a motorcycle around an oval, it’s hard not to want more.

Image Credits – Kaizad Darukhanawala

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