New junior road race class announced
Yamaha R15-based road race series to be rolled out during the 2017 ASBK ChampionshipMotorcycling Australia has announced the introduction of a new junior road race development series for 2017, with the one-make affair to contest rounds at Wakefield Park (NSW), Winton Raceway (Vic) and Morgan Park (Qld) alongside the Australian Superbike Championship.
Designed to get youngsters into racing while maintaining modest costs, the new GP Juniors Cup will be based around Yamaha's R15.
MA has partnered with GP Juniors Australia and will be assisted by Yamaha Motor Australia in breathing life into the new series, which will nurture Australia's next generation of racing stars.
Competitors can purchase a stock Yamaha R15 plus race kit for $4499 or a race-prepared R15 for $4699 (excluding race tyres). A fleet of R15s will also be available for anyone wishing the lease the bike on a round-by-round basis.
Open to juniors aged from 12 to 16 years old, next year the GP Juniors Cup will form a part of the GP Juniors Australia Championship, with three rounds featuring at the Australian Superbike Championship.
In 2018 the series will be a permanent feature of the Australian Superbike Championship, with the winner taking home a race-prepped Yamaha R3 Cup machine at the end of the season.
Click here for more information on the Yamaha R3 Cup.
MA's Operations and Events Director, Martin Port, said the series was a key initial step in helping young Australian racers reach their potential.
"It's MA's vision to create and strengthen pathways for our young hopefuls to make it to the national, and possibly the world stage," he said.
"The GP Juniors Cup is a significant step in achieving this and MA is excited at the prospect of working with GP Juniors Australia promoter Mark Bracks to make this a reality."
Yamaha Motor Australia Managing Director, Steven Cotterell, said Yamaha was thrilled to be supporting the initiative.
"Yamaha has a long history of supporting up-and-coming riders in both road and off-road competition," he said.
"In road racing, Yamaha already supports riders on the YZF-R1, YZF-R6 and more recently the YZF-R3. It was only natural that Yamaha supported junior racing with the YZF-R15.
"The "We R Family" concept is now complete and Yamaha now has an avenue to truly leverage its bLU cRU customers right throughout their road racing careers."
The $4499 package comprises the following:
• Yamaha R15
• Race fairing set
• Braided steel front brake line
• Lower-set handlebars
• Adjustment plates for rearset footpegs
• Engine cover crash knobs (fitted)
• Performance exhaust system (fitted)
• Alternate rear sprockets kit
• Rear race stand pickups
• Graphics kit
The GP Juniors Cup will be held at the following rounds of the 2017 Australian Superbike Championship:
Round 2, March 17-19, Wakefield Park Raceway (NSW)
Round 3, April 28-10, Winton Motor Raceway (Vic)
Round 5, August 25-27, Morgan Park Raceway (Qld)
For more information on the GP Juniors Cup visit www.gpjuniorsaustralia.com.au or email Mark Bracks on markbracks111@gmail.com.
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