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MSA is seeking nominations of riders interested in being involved in the 2024 bLU cRU SA Junior Cup Road Race Series.

From beginnings in 2022, Motorcycling SA – In association with Motorcycling Australia and a slew of generous sponsors – successfully developed and launched the bLU cRU SA Junior Cup as a vision of fostering and supporting the next generation of Road Race Champions on their way to success.

This outstanding series which also runs alongside the Junior classes of the South Australian Road Race Championships offers up to 14 lucky junior riders aged 11-U16 the standout opportunity to develop their skills in a welcoming and inclusive environment, whilst also being appealing to riders of all MSA disciplines to be involved. The bLU cRU SA Junior Cup has been developed to be a direct pathway to the National Oceania Junior Cup academy, with the goal of fostering the next round of Future Champions.

Lucky participants of the series will each have access to the below benefits of the package –

• A race prepared Yamaha R15 V2 150cc race bike.
• 6 full race meetings per year, comprising practice, qualifying and 4 races over the 2 day meeting, so a total of 24 separate races for the year.
• Riding gear (still to be confirmed) – helmet, boots and gloves at a hugely reduced price, with the Ricondi leathers fully decked out in SA colours, and complete with all sponsor logos. ( supplied as part of the package in 2023)
• 1 three (3) day coaching weekend at Mount Gambier’s Mac Park Circuit, , with full details of what will be included still to be confirmed.
• 2 other separate coaching days during the year to be held at a track to be decided on.
• A number of other benefits, including media training and rider presentation lessons.

The cost to be a part of the bLu cRU SA Junior Cup in 2023 was $5100 to lease a fully race prepared Factory Yamaha R15 V2 150cc race bike for the 6 round series, this included all transport of bikes and equipment to and from the circuit and all consumables, the price for 2024 will be decided upon soon once sponsorship arrangements are confirmed.

The series is held in conjunction with the South Australian Road Race Championships and will also consist of rounds at the Monarto Go-Kart Circuit and the Southern Go Kart Club of SA.

We offer wildcards at our events too so if this is something you are interested in exploring please see details below.

For more information, including the full details of all costs involved, and to register your interest, please contact the Motorcycling SA Road Race Sports Manager, Mr Kym Bolto – roadrace@motorcyclingsa.org.au.

Will you join the ranks of talented riders and possibly follow in the footsteps of our inaugural 2022 winner and 2023 FIM Mini GP Australian champion Rikki Henry and current series leader and OJC Australian series leader Archie Schmidt who have emerged from the program to advance to the next level in their professional road racing career?

Register your nomination now!!

Pictures courtesy of Pit Lane Studio.

Our fantastic Series Sponsors –

The FIM Mini GP Australia Series kicked off its inaugural year in 2022 and is shaping up to be a crucial tool for the selected junior riders to pursue their dreams of racing at the highest level in the Moto GP. In 2022, the competition bar was set extremely high, but as time would tell, that was just a taste of the racing that would take it to the next level in 2023. This year saw up to 14 talented budding Australian riders and one Kiwi joining the circuit, all with their sights set on the top prize and taking that crucial next step in their racing careers. Best of all, two of our South Aussies joined the journey, with one of our future legends claiming the Series top honours in the 160cc class for 2023.

From the get-go, Rikki Henry put his head down and showed what he was made of, making a regular appearance on the podium, even at times sharing it with fellow South Aussie Judd Plaisted and even taking the top spot more than once this series.

Starting off with a 5th place finish in race one, round one, Rikki turned up the talent to fight through the pack and bring home a second-place finish in race two to start his series in second place overall. Taking to the track in Newcastle, NSW, the stars started to align for Henry. Taking control of the race, he went on to hold off Queenslanders Hunter Corney and Jake Paige throughout both races to secure an epic first-place finish for both races and took over the Series overall lead for the 160cc class.

Round three saw the series head to Ipswich, QLD, with our South Aussies representing at the highest level. Rikki continued to ride extremely competitively, unfortunately missing out on the podium in race one but coming back to charge through the field (including passing 2 riders on the last lap) to share the podium in second place for an extremely special moment with Judd Plaisted, who had been on fire all week in first.

Above Images Rikki Henry Racing #36

Returning home to Adelaide for the second-to-last round at the Monarto Go Kart Club Track, Judd Plaisted pulled together a clean weekend, taking the overall round wins with firsts in both races. Putting Plaisted and Henry in good company, Archie Schmidt joined the round as a wildcard entry and proved to be good company to add a twist to the already formed on-track rivalries of the Championship. Putting down some exceptionally strong riding and showing nothing but consistency at the front of the pack with countless battles happening between himself, Plaisted, Paige, and Schmidt, Rikki would walk away from the weekend with second place overall and a 12-point lead going into the MiniGP 160 series finals at Oakleigh, VIC.

Looking cool, calm, and collected, Rikki let his riding do all the talking and made short work of taking the pole by almost half a second in front of Hunter Corney. Tensions were tight at the front for race one, with Rikki narrowly missing the top position behind Cooper Horne by just 0.164 seconds. Judd Plaisted would round out the podium in third place, posting a new race lap record of 44.784 seconds. Henry then went on to win the second race ahead of Jake Paige by 0.546 seconds. This would not only be his second-round win but also secured the series win with a 24-point lead over Jake Paige.

Judd Plaisted would round out the FIM Mini GP SA campaign with a 4th place finish in round five and 4th place in the Series overall.

Above Images Judd Plaisted by RbMotoLens – Rob Mott Photography   

After an extremely well-earned Series win, Rikki has earned a life-changing opportunity to head over and race in the MiniGP World Series at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo Valencia, against the world’s best in November.

Rikki was quoted as saying, “I’ve got a lot of mixed emotions right now,” the 14-year-old said. “I’m just so happy to have won the series, and now I’m even more excited, knowing I get to go to Valencia to race against the world’s best in November. It’s something I’ll remember for a long time, that’s for sure.”

Some big things ahead in November.

Above Images Rikki Henry by RbMotoLens – Rob Mott Photography