Junior Cup Set To Be The ‘New Breeding Ground’ For Aspiring Young Riders
The first month of the new year is coming to an end with really great hits and quite a few misses. But this one is a hit - an all-new MotoAmerica Junior Cup promising to bring even more action to 2018.
(Image: MotoAmerica/ Brian J. Nelson)
Replacing the KTM RC Cup, the Junior Cup is set to be the ‘new breeding grounds’ for young riders who dream of making it big in championships. Although it is an entry-level type of racing, we all have to start somewhere. And what better way to start than with MotoAmerica?
The Junior Cup will be open to all manufacturers with a homologated model so that they can increase their involvement in the MotoAmerica paddock as well as attract more riders and teams from around the world.
The rules for the Cup have been heavily based on the FIM 300 Supersport class, which has already proven itself by delivering some of the most exciting racing across Europe. The bikes competing are essentially showroom-stock, lightweight motorcycles with simple, yet effective suspension, engine, and electronic upgrades. To ensure that the cost of building a bike is kept down, price caps have been set in place for each component.
MotoAmerica has put strict RPM limits on each bike by requiring each motorcycle to be fitted with a quickshift/ RPM limiting device built by HM Quickshift. Complementing the RPM restriction will be a short list of approved ECU flashes, which will keep teams from adding any additional strategies like traction control, launch control, or pit-lane limiters. Unlike the FIM 300 Supersport class, data acquisition equipment will be forbidden.
The provisional RPM Limits are as follows: Honda CBR500R: 10,500 rpm; Kawasaki Ninja 300: 13,000 rpm; KTM RC390: 10,500 rpm; Suzuki GSX250R: TBD; Yamaha YZF-R3: 13,000 rpm.
14-to25-year-old Junior Cup contenders will compete in nine out of 10 race weekends throughout this year, starting in April 13 to 15 at Road Atlanta.