The third edition of Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup kick-started in an emphatic fashion at the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore last weekend. In Red Bull Road to Rookies, it was Zothanmawia from Aizwal, who took the top-honours in both, the Race 1, and Race 2 conducted.
Young biking enthusiasts, between 12 and 16 years of age, have a chance to showcase their prowess on an international stage, with the 3rd edition of Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup. It not only defines a new category in the sport in India but also gives the best motorcycle racer in the country a chance to be a part of the internationally acclaimed Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup 2018! Since its inception in 2007, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has grown into one of the most thrilling two-wheel spectacles in the world. The Rookies Cup has released new stars into the world of Grand Prix racing; both Moto2 and Moto3 World Champions in 2015 were ex-Rookies.
Red Bull Road to Rookies, was completely dominated by Zothanmawia. During Race 1, he clocked 14:23:901 minutes, while in the Race 2, he clocked 14:36:129 minutes including the round’s best lap time of 1:24:176 minutes. Aizwal’s PC Andy Lalhmangaihsang (14:47:701) emerged second in the Race 1 ahead of Jerome Vanlalrengpuia from Lawngtla, (14:50:264); while in the Race 2, Jerome from Lawngtla (15:04:514) wrested the second-spot from PC Andy Lalhmangaihsang (15:13:476) who finished third.
The Suzuki Gixxer Cup and the Red Bull Road to Rookies are conducted under the aegis of FIM and FMSCI, in association with JK Tyre Motorsports.
From a total of 300 entries received from all over the country, a total of 22 riders were shortlisted for the Suzuki Gixxer Cup and 8 riders for Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup. The selected riders were given thorough technical training session for 3-days at Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore; followed by theory sessions & on track riding under the guidance of experts in the industry as a part of their race preparations.
The second round of the of 2018 season of JK Tyre Suzuki Gixxer Cup including Red Bull Road to Rookies would be held at the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore from August 31th to September 02nd, 2018.
Ahmedabad based Sachin Chaudhary was crowned the champion of the 1st edition of Red Bull Road to Rookies in 2016. On his experience, Sachin highlighted, “From winning the Road to Rookies Cup, to the journey in Spain was unquestionably quite challenging. I tried my very best to acclimatize myself both physically and mentally for the event. Racing on a new track (Circuito Gaudix in Granada, Spain), a new bike (125cc Metrakit) was a tough situation. And despite the loss, I gained some much-needed experience, and also some new tricks which I am able to put in use in my racing now. Definitely, a platform like Rookies Cup helps many of my kind for performing in future.” Last year, he participated in the Suzuki Gixxer Cup and emerged as the runner-up champion after 4 rounds.
Mizoram’s Lalhruaizela won the 2nd edition of Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup and grabbed the ticket to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup qualifiers in Spain last year. The 15-year-old biker emerged as the champion with a total of 56 point after 3 rounds.
