Suzuki Motorcycles and Red Bull racing have announced their partnership for the Road to Rookies Cup 2016. The two organisers will provide a structured programme to the young biking enthusiasts to kick-start their racing career.
To select the Road to Rookies Cup participants, organisers will nominate 10 young riders within the age group of 13-17, based on their performance in other motorsports events.
The 10 nominated riders will get coached by professionals from around the world. After training they will race in 2016 Suzuki Gixxer Cup. The two best rider among them will be sent to Spain for further training and get to participate in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. The winner of the ‘Rookies Cup’ will get a direct entry into Moto3.
K Rajini, winner of the 2015 Malaysian Superbike Challenge, will be one of the mentors at the Road to Rookies Cup, he said:
“Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup is going to be of huge help to the young riders. It is for the first time we’ll have a category for 13-17 age group in India. This is going to help Indian racers to be a part of the MotoGP programme overall.
In Spain and Italy, kids start at the age of five and have dedicated schools for training. I am hopeful that this project will change things in India.”
Aras Gibieza, Stunt Rider, who is currently in the country as a part of his nine-city Suzuki Gixxer Day tour said:
“Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup comes as great news for the Indian racers. This is my third visit to the country in the last two years and I can comfortably say that it’s high time we had a category for this age group.”
Mr. Satoshi Uchida, Managing Director, SMIPL, said
“We saw a hugely positive response after entering the Indian racing arena last year, and clearly felt the need to only improve upon the laurels from our first season of the Gixxer Cup. This year, we bring Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup, a world renowned platform, to the young Indian riders for the first time, while sticking to the Gixxer Cup format alongside. We can’t wait for the season of exciting racing to begin!”
News Source: Suzuki Motorcycles India Press Release
