KTM RC Cup 2016
KTM has just announced details surrounding the KTM RC 390 Cup Racebike that will be available for purchase to any participants in the 2016 KTM RC Cup.
KTM has developed the RC Cup to coincide with the release of the KTM RC 390, and the brand has done something truly remarkable – it has created an outlet for young, aspiring riders to go out and compete at a professional level, using the eight-round KTM RC Cup series as a stepping stone to move onto larger leagues later in the their careers. The KTM RC Cup will be coinciding with the 2016 MotoAmerica Racing Series schedule.
The KTM RC Cup Series is open to riders between the ages of 14 to 22 who currently hold an AMA Superstock Limited license. The second requirement is to participate in the series while utilizing a 2015 or 2016 KTM RC 390 Cup Racebike. KTM has specifically developed these track only machines for the series, including a whole host of over 40 PowerParts, along with other performance enhancements.
Here are just some of the features as described by KTM:
- Fully adjustable WP Racing Fork
- Fully adjustable WP Racing Rear Shock with high/low speed compression and rebound damping, adjustable preload and adjustable shock length
- Akrapovic Exhaust
- Racing Windshield, Tail Fairing and Belly Pan
- RC8 R-style Throttle Assembly
- CNC-machined Racing Foldable Levers
- CNC-machined Racing Rear Sets
The organizers have taken a page out of the big league rule books: Engines are sealed and may only be serviced by official KTM trackside partner, HMC racing. And that will put extra emphasis on the riders, as the bikes will be identical in terms of performance. Modified formerly street-legal versions of the RC 390 will not be eligible for the MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Series; however they will be accepted in regional races.
Race tracks are typically located in pretty inhospitable places, especially in California. So participants that will be purchasing their RC Cup Racebike before March 31, 2016, will be getting a 10 x 10 EZ-Up tent from Synchrony Financial. This is an exclusive sponsorship package from RC Cup program supporters Motion Pro and Motorex. Additionally, riders will be eligible to receive 40% off on a semi-customizable GiMoto race suit.
There is some extra incentive for current MotoAmerica riders to participate here as well; KTM will pay for any rider to race in up to five select regional races on the RC Cup bike. The regional race series will be held at these locations: Championship Cup Series (CCS), Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA), Chuckwalla Valley Raceway (CVR) and American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM).
KTM’s partnership with HMC Racing, aside from their tech duties, will be providing some creature comforts as well. Here is what KTM HMC will have available to all riders in the KTM RC Cup:
- KTM HMC semi-truck will be present at each event to provide a relaxing hospitality area for participants
- The KTM HMC technicians will provide technical assistance and have parts available for purchase if needed as part of the trackside service program
- KTM HMC technicians will provide a motorcycle safety check on motorcycles prior to the race and will help
MotoAmerica regulate the validity of all race units to maintain motorcycle parity throughout the race series
Things are going to be run tight at the KTM RC Cup but with one free practice and two qualifying sessions before each race. Once qualifying is wrapped up, they will run two separate races for points. KTM is offering a contingency program for the top five finishers and here is the payout structure they’ve announced:
- 1st – $500
- 2nd – $400
- 3rd – $300
- 4th – $200
- 5th – $100
The RC Cup Racebike will be priced at $9,999 MSRP and are obviously going to be made in limited quantities. All interested parties are being strongly encouraged to pre-order their machines and will be allowed to do so until March 31.
KTM plans on delivering the race variants of the RC 390 in mid-March. In order to get your hands on the RC Cup Racebike, you’ll need to head over to your local authorized KTM dealer and provide a copy of your AMA Road Racing Superstock Limited license or license application. Again, the bikes are being produced in limited numbers and are being sold at a first come first serve basis.
For more details on the license eligibility, please visit the AMA’s official website.
KTM RC 390 Cup 2016 Qualifying Race Events
MotoAmerica RC Cup:
- April 15-17, 2016: Braselton, GA
- April 29-May 1, 2016: Millville, NJ
- May 13-15, 2016: Danville, VA
- June 3-5, 2016: Elkhart Lake, WI
- June 10-12, 2016: Birmingham, AL
- June 23-25, 2016: Tooele, Utah
- July 8-10, 2016: Monterey, CA
- September 9-11, 2016: Millville, NJ
Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association:
- February 20-21, 2016: Angleton, TX
- March 19-20, 2016: College Station, TX
- April 23-24, 2016: Cresson, TX
- May 14-15, 2016: Hallett, OK
- June 18-19, 2016: Avondale, LA
- July 23-24, 2016: Cresson, TX
- August 20-21, 2016: Cresson, TX
- September 17-18, 2016: Hallett, OK
- October 8-9, 2016: TBA
- October 29-30, 2016: Angleton, TX
Chuckwalla Valley Motorcycle Association:
- September 19-20, 2015: Desert Center, CA
- October 17-18, 2015: Desert Center, CA
- November 14-15, 2015: Desert Center, CA
- January 9-10, 2016: Desert Center, CA
- February 27-28, 2016: Desert Center, CA
- March 26-27, 2016: Desert Center, CA
- April 23-24, 2016: Desert Center, CA
American Federation of Motorcyclists:
- March 19-20, 2016: Buttonwillow, CA
- April 30-May 1, 2016: Sonoma, CA
- May 28-29, 2016: Willows, CA
- June 25-26, 2016: Willows, CA
- September 3-4, 2016: Sonoma, CA
- October 1-2, 2016: Willows, CA
- October 22-23, 2016: Buttonwillow, CA
Championship Cup Series:
- February 13-14, 2016: Miami, FL
- March 10-13, 2016: Daytona Beach, FL
- April 16-17, 2016: Millville, NJ
- April 29-May 1, 2016: Loudon, NH
- April 30-May 1, 2016: Joliet, IL
- April 30-May 1, 2016: Miami, FL
- May 14-15, 2016: Munford, AL
- May 20-22, 2016: Loudon, NH
- May 21-22, 2016: South Beloit, IL
- May 29-30, 2016: Summit Point, WV
- May 29-30, 2016: Miami, FL
- June 11-12, 2016: Brainerd, MN
- June 11-12, 2016: Alton, VA
- June 16-19, 2016: Loudon, NH
- June 18-19, 2016: Miami, FL
- June 25-26, 2016: Summit Point, WV
- July 1-3, 2016: Elkhart Lake, WI
- July 16-17, 2016: Millville, NJ
- July 22-24, 2016: Loudon, NH
- July 23-24, 2016: South Beloit, IL
- July 23-24, 2016: Miami, FL
- August 12-14, 2016: Loudon, NH
- August 13-14, 2016: Joliet, IL
- August 20-21, 2016: South Beloit, IL
- August 20-21, 2016: Summit Point, WV
- August 27-28, 2016: Bloomingdale, GA
- September 3-4, 2016: Millville, NJ
- September 3-4, 2016: South Haven, MI
- September 10-11, 2016: Loudon, NH
- September 17-18, 2016: Alton, VA
- September 24-25, 2016: South Beloit, IL
- September 30-October 2, 2016: Loudon, NH
- October 1-2, 2016: Miami, FL
- October 14-16, 2016: Daytona Beach, FL
- December 3-4, 2016: Miami, FL
