When we think of MotoGP, we think of Spain and Italy. One look at the grid and we know where the most racing talent comes from. We believe that it can be tracked down to what they do and it goes like this: “Catch them young. Watch them grow.” One of the best ways to ensure a steady supply of racing talent on the world stage is to our young racing. And with the launch of the ATOM GP1, CRA Motorsports has taken a massive step towards putting India on the global motorcycle racing map.
The ATOM GP1 is India’s first mini motorcycle, a kit motorcycle that one can take racing and learn the intricacies of what it means to go around a track as quickly as possible. It is geared towards smaller karting tracks and for riders aged 10+ years. The ATOM GP1 is powered by a single-cylinder, air-cooled 4-stroke engine that displaces 159.3cc on its way to making 15.05 PS of power and 13.85 Nm of torque. With a top speed of about 105 km/h, it seems perfectly specced to teach our young the art of motorcycle racing.
Another key spec would have been the weight and while we do not have the exact number, we can say with confidence that it is significantly lighter than one can imagine. With a full-system racing exhaust, FRP fibreglass bodywork, and some really premium innards along with a datalogger, it goes without saying that this is a racing motorcycle through and through. What impressed us even more though is the progress of the ATOM GP1 from conceptualization to production.
Seen in action here is the latest helmet to come out of the collaboration between xBhp and Axor- #TheNineteen. A celebration of #19YearsOfxBhp with one of the safest and most well-designed helmets out there, the Axor Apex Series.
Designed and ready for production in 3 years is something unheard of in motorcycle manufacturing. But Mr Tharun Kumar, a racer himself, really got behind this project and with the efforts from his team, CRA Motorsports launched the ATOM GP1 on the 19th of July at Meco Kartopia in Bangalore. They were kind enough to invite us to the event which was also graced by the presence of special guests; Mr Akbar Ebrahim, President, FMSCI, Gautham Shantappa, Vice-President, FMSCI, and Mr Sujith Kumar, Chairman, 2W Racing Commission, FMSCI. Mr G Subhash Chandra Bose aka Bullet Bose also graced the event with his presence.
Along with the launch of the motorcycle, CRA Motorsports also launched an inaugural championship based around the ATOM GP1. The 4-round series is set to get underway after the conclusion of INMRC, which is around October. All 4 rounds will be held at the Meco Kartopia in Bangalore. Along with this, CRA Motorsports also announced their plans for a 5-round championship on the Asia level by 2024 and a 5-round championship covering Asia, Europe, and the USA by 2025.
For the national series set to get underway this year, the grid will have a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15 riders with the age criteria being 10 to 17 years. The number of participating teams is variable but will be dictated by the teams that buy the ATOM GP1 and field their riders. The racing format is similar to what we have come to expect with 10 minutes granted to FP1, FP2, and Qualifying, each. This will then be followed by two races with the first one being 8 laps and the second 10.
Moreover, CRA Motorsports has also announced plans to have the ATOM GP1 available for young riders to train on at various locations around India, with 1 location each in UAE and Malaysia. CRA Motorsports is also gunning to have at least 3 ATOM GP1s available at each location by the end of 2023. The production capacity is set at 250 units annually but we might see the number climb up considering how good the motorcycle is.
Locations
- Meco Kartopia – Bangalore
- Speedway Thrissur – Kerala
- Chicane Circuit – Hyderabad
- Erda’s Speedway – Ahmedabad
- Caffeine and Octane – Ahmedabad
- Kart Town – UAE
- SIC/UniMAP – Malaysia
While we did not get to all out on the ATOM GP1, we got to swing a leg over it and came back mighty impressed with how focussed the motorcycle is. It is a matter of great pride that a motorcycle like this is being made in India. We are also very appreciative of CRA Motorsports’ efforts to make something that the budding racers of our country needed. From here on, we see the graph of motorcycle racing in India climbing and we can’t be more thrilled!
