KTM continue their efforts to distract teenagers around the world from Instagram, Snapchat and sexting by running the KTM RC Cup for another year in 2016. And in addition to the chance to build a career in motorcycle racing, the Austrian firm also offers some prizes to encourage kids into professional racing.
The big prize is the chance to compete to enter the Red Bull Rookies Cup, whose previous graduates include Moto2 Champion Johann Zarco (who won the first season in 2007) and Moto3 Champion Danny Kent (who finished runner up in 2010). Other notable names from the series include Luis Salom, Jakub Kornfiel, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Arthur Sissis, Karel Hanika, Jorge Martin, Joan Mir, and Bo Bendsneyder who have all appeared in 125cc GPs / Moto 3. Plus Americans Jacob Gagne (2014 AMA Sportsbike champion and 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 champion), and J.D. Beach (2015 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion).
The 2015 British KTM Cup winner Cameron Fraser, along with Thomas Strudwick and Chris Taylor were sent for the Red Bull Rookies test. Fraser will ride the FPW Racing Moto3 machine in the British Superbike Motostar class in 2016, Strudwick will compete with the Lionheart Case Moto3 team, and Chris Taylor will be with In Moto Corse.
If that’s not enough, the 2016 KTM Junior Cup winner will take home a new 2017 KTM 125 SX worth £5699. The runner-up gets a day of training with Steve Plater and a £200 KTM OGIO kit bag, while third gets a day at the KTM MX Experience plus MX clothing.
Winners at each round will get a pair of Metzeler M7 RR control tyres at the end of the season. The other podium finishers will get a single tyre – so expect some swapping to take place at the end of the year if people need full sets of rubber!
Either way, Santander Consumer Finance are supporting the series again, and there’s a new livery by LR Designs.
Although it’s not long until the series begins, there’s still time to take a permanent or wildcard slot. Riders need to be at least 13 years old and hold a Novice ACU Road Race licence as a minimum.
2016 Santander Consumer Finance British Junior Cup Dates:
April 8-10 Round 1: Silverstone
April 30 – May 2 Round 2: Oulton Park
May 20-22 Round 3: Brands Hatch
June 24-26 Round 4: Knockhill
July 8-10 Round 5: Snetterton
August 5-7 Round 6: Brands Hatch
August 27-29 Round 7: Cadwell Park
September 16-18 Round 8: Donington Park
To Be Confirmed:
RC Cup World Final: September 30 – October 2, Assen
Leave a Reply