Suzuki Announces Gixxer Cup 2017

Suzuki Motorcycle India has announced the third season of its fabled Suzuki Gixxer Cup for 2017. This time around, the brand has tied up with JK Tyre Motorsport as the organiser for the event. With the new partnership, the tyre manufacturer is all set to churn out world class motorcycle racers. This season will also mark the return of the Red Bull Road To Rookies Cup with the Suzuki Gixxer Cup to give young and budding racers of India a chance to get a foothold into the international racing arena. This one-of-a-kind platform provides one rider chosen through exhaustive selection rounds a chance to participate in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Qualifiers to be held in Spain. Also read: 2016 Suzuki Gixxer SF Race Bike: Track Review

The first edition of the Red Bull Rookies Cup was held in the country the previous year. It comprised of six races spread across two rounds. Sachin Chaudhary from Ahmedabad was crowned the winner among seven young Indian riders. He went on to represent India in Spain at the qualifiers of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in Spain.

Both the Suzuki Gixxer Cup and the Red Bull Road To Rookies Cup will be held as part of the 20th JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship 2017. While the Road To Rookies Cup will cater to riders between the ages of 12 and 16 years, the Suzuki Gixxer Cup will be for riders of 17 years and above.

A new addition this year would be a Rider Selection Programme which would enable the best riders from all part of the country to participate in the Suzuki Gixxer Cup. This programme will be held across 4 cities to scout for the best riding talent. The schedule for the Rider Selection Programme can be found below: 

Selection 1: 4th June - Meco Kartopia, Bengaluru

Selection 2: 10th June - Airstrip, Aizawl, Mizoram

Selection 3: 18th June - Rayo Racing, Kharadi, Pune

Selection 4: 25th June - Worlds of Wonder, GIP (Great India Place), Noida

27th June - Announcement of Selected Riders

The Championship will consist of 3 rounds at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore from 7th - 9th July, 4th - 6th August and 1st - 3rd September, respectively. The 4th and final round will be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from 17th - 19th November.

The Red Bull Road To Rookies Cup would culminate at the 3rd round at Kari Motor Speedway, after which the selected rider would head to Spain to participate in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Qualifiers. First introduced in 2007, the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has grown into one of the popular two-wheeled events in the word. The 11th edition of the cup to be held this year will witness some stiff competition. 

Commenting on the partnership, Satoshi Uchida, managing director, Suzuki Motorcycle India said, “We are extremely pleased to announce our tie up with JK Tyre to conduct the Suzuki Gixxer Cup 2017. This partnership between two pioneers can only lead to great things for Indian Motorsport. We are also equally happy to announce our continued partnership with Red Bull for the Road To Rookies Cup for a 2nd year running. We look forward to another exciting year of racing and are confident that we will raise the bar even higher this time!”

Sanjay Sharma, corporate communications and motorsport head, JK Tyre, said, “We have guided the career paths of many international racers from India, and with our passion and expertise combined with the racing heritage of Suzuki, we intend to do the same for the budding motorcycle racers of our country.”