The Kids Are Alright!
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the circuits we visit (but it is 2nd fastest at most of them so it could be a good all round option), the Aprilia RRV450R is The Kids Are Alright! actually the least powerful of all of the MAKE MODEL MAX BHP WEIGHT BEST LAP eligible models but is fastest at Brands Hatch, Snetterton 200 and Mallory Park thanks to its light weight and sharp APRILIA RS 125 33 BHP 126 KG 1.50.914 handling. The adults sometimes need to take a hit to their egos and As we are here at Donington Park GP KTM RC 390 37 BHP 147 KG 1.51.523 Circuit - the spiritual home of British understand that it’s the kids who are the best teachers. KAWASAKI NINJA 300 39 BHP 162 KG 1.52.414 Motor Cycle Racing - we thought it might be nice to include a little stats him half way across the world to pitch APRILIA RRV450R 32 BHP 125 KG 1.51.296 table comparing the 4 main types of him against the other youngsters in the bike we are looking at here. Table on left uses data from official sites Aprilia Superteens, it started a chain of Data accurate as of 16th September 2016 events that culminated in Cal Crutchlow and manufacturers public data. (other circuits can favour both Kawasaki &/or KTM) becoming the first British premier class The 2017 Thundersport GP3 Superteen Grand-Prix winner since Barry Sheene. names as they are all on the same hit to their egos and understand that Championship will be open to all of If you think that is the end of the line, upward escalator that brought Cal protectionism isn’t working. We have all the above, plus Metrakit 80cc and you’re not looking at the true picture Crutchlow, Bradley Smith, Sam Lowes, been guilty of that to various degrees non-Aprilia Formula 125 machines and though. There are a whole host of Danny Kent, Danny Webb and Alex over the years, sometimes due to we hope that this will provide the best riders still working their way through Lowes into the Moto-GP paddock. contractual obligations, but it isn’t the platform for our aspiring young racers the system that have the potential to The biggest hindrance to youth best way forward for the sport. to showcase their talents whilst still replicate that success and perhaps development in the UK over the past Our governing body allows the use of a enabling them to continue racing their go even further. Cal was a Superteen 2 years has been that the young riders variety of different machines for Novice current bikes in their own current club in 2000 and went on to win the have been forced to choose between riders at the age of 13 years and it has based formulae. More track time = simples championship in 2001, so there are three separate championships been said that that should form the faster progression ( ). another 14 years worth of exactly that that have all been catering for the basis of a youth academy. A little co-operation and adult thinking The Aprilia Superteens has been the benchmark for kind of talent already in the pipeline. same thing. The KTM RC390 Cup When that concept was first put to should make that task somewhere OK, so astonishingly Casey only below the level of Rocket Science. youth racing for 20 years. has attracted a regular 15 riders, me my fears were that the various took 7 years after leaving the Aprilia the Kawasaki Junior Cup is at about bikes would be too far apart in terms It’s been very well documented that and once they’ve made it happen once, Superteens to get into a position where the same level and even the Aprilia of performance to actually compete APRILIA SUPERTEEN the worlds longest running one make it goes straight into their skill set and he was able to take his first Moto-GP Superteens has dropped down to with each other in any semblance of GRADUATES:- championship – the Aprilia Superteen they have the in built belief that they race win, whereas it’s taken Cal 14 similar levels recently from its peak equality. Challenge – has been the launch pad can repeat it again and again. The more years, but I think that just goes to prove of 54 riders back in 2009. Get those However, when you take a look at Casey Stoner (Aus) for a multitude of British and World kids you can get together on track at the point that there is no great rush riders all together on track at the the lap times there is a remarkable Brad Binder (RSA) Championship racers (see side panel). the same time, the more opportunity as British riders tend to benefit from same time and you would once again similarity across the circuits. The Aprilia Chaz Davies That was no accident, but it wasn’t there is for them all to learn at a a little more time in the development have a true British Youth Motorcycle RS125 holds the edge at Cadwell Park Cal Crutchlow exactly rocket science either. The faster rate as they then have multiple stages. Academy of Excellence. by less than a second, the Kawasaki premise for developing young talent opportunities to learn new things Fraser Rogers, Wayne Ryan, Rory In order to do that, the adults Ninja has the same margin at Oulton Bradley Smith isn’t really solely about the machinery during each and every track session. Skinner, Charlie Nesbitt, Max Cook (including me) that are running Park and Snetterton 300, the KTM Sam Lowes and Lewis Rollo – make a note of their they are using, the important thing – When Casey Stoners parents brought those various series need to take a RC390 isn’t actually fastest on any of Danny Kent the only really important thing in fact – is getting the entire pool of talent in Alex Lowes the same place, at the same time. Leon Camier At any given moment there are Gino Rea probably around 45-55 young riders in in the UK who are in their first two Lee Jackson years of Road-Racing that actually make Tommy Bridewell up this talent pool. Only when they all Peter Hickman get together on track at the same time Jake Dixon do they learn from each other at the exponential rate that we are always so Danny Buchan amazed at. Martin Jessop Any of us could be conceited and say James Westmoreland that we are teaching them, but there Joe Francis is no point in lying about it – these youngsters are teaching each other. David Allingham They look at another rider of similar Chrissy Rouse age, ability and size to themselves and The KTM RC390 Cup runs in the USA & Germany as their The Kawasaki Ninja forms the basis of series in the Danny Webb just think “If he can do that, so can I!” (and many more...) basic formula - not just over here with BSB USA, Canada and with the BMCRC in the UK.