MotoAmerica’s Mini Cup Series Showcases the Future

[Admin]

MotoAmerica’s program for its youngest racers, the Mini Cup, is halfway through its season, with added classes garnering interest from both fans and riders (MotoAmerica/)

Look at almost any globally recognized sport and you’ll see a junior amateur class lurking several levels under its more visible professional leagues, aimed specifically at attracting and training young, developing racers, footballers, bicyclists, equestrians, etc., etc., into the said sport. Those entry-level classes allow young athletes to grow and hone their skills before progressing to the next level.

MotoAmerica is no different, and even though it’s known as the organization that promotes the AMA Superbike Series, it has also made serious attempts at expanding motorcycle racing in North America writ large, which means getting the attention of youngsters. That’s the whole point of the outfit’s Mission Mini Cup Presented by Motul series, which offers young riders the opportunity to learn the ropes, prove themselves, and then move up the roadracing ranks.

There’s not many 5-year-olds we know that can drag a knee like that. (Brian J. Nelson/MotoAmerica/)

MotoAmerica’s description sums up the series nicely: “The Mission Mini Cup by Motul Championship is…developed specifically to introduce young people from the age of 5 to the sport of motorcycle roadracing.”

If five seems a little young, well, there’s a method to the madness. The youngest pilots get the smallest bikes, and this year the series will also add three new classes—Stock 50 for the youngest riders (ages 5–9), Stock 110, and Stock 125—using minibikes like the Honda CRF50F, Yamaha’s TT-R125, and Kawasaki’s KLX110 shod with roadracing tires to make them compatible with the asphalt courses. The inclusion of those lower priced, readily available models also lowers the cost of entry for many young riders, which also widens the pool and keeps interest high. From there, Mini Cup riders can step up to purpose-built mini-roadracers from Ohvale, specifically, the Ohvale GP-0 160cc and GP-2 190cc bikes used in the existing Mini Cup Ohvale 160 (ages 10–14) and Ohvale 190 classes (12–16). This year, the Ohvale classes have also been split into two parts: the FIM Mini Cup Ohvale 160 and 190, and the Mission Mini Cup Ohvale 160 and 190, each competing for different championships.

The majority of races take place on kart tracks (though some are purpose-built) concurrently with select MotoAmerica event weekends. The racers compete for podium positions and season championships, with the FIM GP-0 160 and GP-2 190 racers also being able to qualify for the world championship FIM MiniGP World Series.

Related: MotoAmerica Championship of Pittsburgh Day One Report

The racing is tight, and the Ohvale subclasses in the Mini Cup can qualify racers for the FIM MiniGP World Series. (Brian J. Nelson/MotoAmerica/)

And don’t think of these young’uns doing laps as newbies; the go-fast kids have put up some impressive feats even in their early years with current No. 1 Nathan Gouker (age 12) already having snagged multiple trophies; one as 2022 MotoAmerica Mini Cup 110cc Champion, and another as 2022 MotoAmerica Mini Cup 160cc Champion, while also competing at the FIM MiniGP World Series Final.

Meanwhile Ryder Davis (age 14) was runner-up in the 2022 MotoAmerica Mini Cup 160cc Championship, and won 10 WERA Sportsman Regional Novice Championships as well as racing in last year’s FIM MiniGP World Series Final, finishing eighth out of 33 riders from around the world.

One of the youngest potential champs though would be first-year roadracer Cruise Texter (age 6). We have a feeling that being the offspring of two-time American Flat Track Production Twins champ Cory Texter will pay dividends down the road, so stay tuned.

The Mini Cup by Motul has expanded to a six-round series in 2023, with as many as five classes. (MotoAmerica/)

Although it kicked off back in 2020 with a three-race schedule, the Mini Cup series has since expanded, now claiming six stops for 2023. Three rounds have been run already, with three more to go this summer. The remaining events are August 18–19 at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, September 2 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and the series finale on September 22–23, also at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

For more info, see motoamerica.com

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[Stu]

@rennie I might start watching this instead of WSBK