KTM to introduce RC Cup Series in the US

KTM Motorsports and MotoAmerica have jointly announced a new partnership to introduce the RC Cup series in the US. The RC Cup Series will be a special class conducted as a select round of the 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM American Motorcycle Road Racing Championship Series, with participants riding on factory sealed RC 390 Cup bikes.  

While AMA is still in the process of developing licensing requirements, it has been revealed that series will only be open to racers aged between 14 and 22. This means that the RC Cup will be more of an entry point for young enthusiasts into the world of professional road racing. 

As the RC390 Cup bikes are going to be factory sealed, engine teardowns at the races, rebuilds between races, and ECU checks will be performed by HMC technicians, with whom the Austrian manufacturer has struck a deal. Regular road-going versions of the motorcycle are barred from entering the series, and KTM will sell the special RC390 Cup bikes through dealerships as ready-to-race motorcycles. 

During the race, KTM will provide a pit area with technical and parts support for all RC Cup participants. KTM has also roped in AMA racer and the company’s factory racer, Chris Fillmore, to give advice and tips to participants. 

Commenting on the RC Cup, Jon-Erik Burleson, President of KTM North America, said, “We are really excited for KTM to partner with MotoAmerica on this project with a clear goal to help bring youth back into American road racing. We are proud of the effort MotoAmerica is putting toward reviving road racing in this country and look forward to a season of exciting racing from our RC Cup to the premier SuperBike class.” 

One of the main goals of such entry-level racing series usually is to find new talent. Such racing series gives young riders the opportunity to get a feel of professional racing as well as for racing teams to identify young talent. Motorcycle racing in India is still in a very nascent stage, though manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha have been encouraging the sport with their One Make racing series. The RC390 was launched in India a few months ago and though the company hasn’t confirmed it yet, we are sure that it won’t be long before KTM announces such a series for India too.