Suzuki, Red Bull Racing Announce 2016 Road to Rookies Cup

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited has announced the return of the popular Gixxer Cup for its second season in 2016. This time, Red Bull Racing and Suzuki have tied up to also announce the 2016 Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup, the first platform of its kind in India, which will provide young and upcoming racers a launchpad into the world of international racing.

The Road to Rookies Cup will allow racers a chance to participate in the Rookies Cup and then lead up to the Moto3 and eventually on to Moto2 and MotoGP.

Satoshi Uchida, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited, said, "We saw a hugely positive response after entering the Indian racing arena last year, and clearly felt the need improve upon the laurels from our first season of the Gixxer Cup. This year, we bring Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup, a world renowned platform, to the young Indian riders for the first time, while sticking to the Gixxer Cup format alongside. We can't wait for the season of exciting racing to begin!"

(Suzuki Gixxer Cup)

The Road to Rookies Cup will run parallel to the Novice Category of the Gixxer Cup. They will compete in the same grid but championship standings will be calculated separately. While the Gixxer Cup will have 5 rounds in all, the Road to Rookies Cup will have 3 rounds and will be open to riders between the ages of 13-17.

Ten riders will compete in the Road to Rookies Cup, out of which two riders will be eventually selected by a committee, who will get to compete in the qualifiers for the Rookies Cup in Spain. Selection of these two riders will not only be based on championship points, but other parameters like age, height, weight will also be taken into consideration. If they qualify, they get to compete in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in Spain.

The Gixxer Cup Novice Category will also have 10 riders, but in the age group of 18-23, while the Open Category will have racers in the age group of above 23 years.