The Steps to follow for getting into Motorcycle Racing in India

The Steps to follow :

1) Get a Certificate of Training from a FMSCI approved Motorcycle Training Academy

2) Apply to the Indian Motor Racing Federation - FMSCI ( Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India) for a racing license . The training certificate has to be presented to the FMSCI.  The racing license is required to participate in any FMSCI recognised race .



You can call the FMSCI and they will give you the directions to apply for the license. The application procedure is mostly done by email .


3)  You have to present the license to the race organisers when applying to participate in the races .

The organisers of the Motorcycle Racing Championships are MMSC - Madras Motor Sports Club and JK Motorsports.

MMSC conducts the National Championships at present .

Age Criterion for Motorcycle racing in India

• For Minors - Boys & Girls  (  age upto 18 years old) : 

Minimum 11 years in the year of application. The competitor’s foot must be able to reach the floor when normally seated on the motorcycle
 
Minors will require signed permission from their parents, as well as the parent's ID proof in order to apply for an FMSCI licence along with the training certificate from a FMSCI approved academy .

• Age 18 and above : Can apply to FMSCI with the training certificate .

The limit for the maximum age finishes at the end of the year in which the rider reaches the age of 50

Note: FMSCI will require additional documentation like fitness certificate etc. which will have to be provided at the time of application.


Insight : What is the right age to get into racing ?

As early as possible . The FIM Redbull Roookies Cup accepts Kids from the age of 13 . This race runs as a support race during the MotoGP weekend . 

These are the kids who graduate to Moto3 by age 14 and above .

The races in Moto 2 will normally be in their late teens and early twenties .

The MotoGP racers will generally be in their early twenties and above . If you are as talented as Marc Marques and have sufficient experience by then, you could beat his record of winning a MotoGP Championship by age 20 years, 63 days !!!. 

The bike categories that are raced , bikes used & age eligibilty of the racer

The categories in which races are conducted at present :

•   Stock upto 165cc -  Unmodified class .  (novice) Open to below  the age of 23 years  . 

      

• Stock upto 165cc -  Unmodified class .  for Girls   . 

• Pro Stock upto 165cc - Semi modified class. Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years .

• Super sport Indian (upto 165cc) - Fully Modified class. Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years

• Super sport Indian (Above 200cc upto 300cc) - Fully Modified class. Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years

•  Super sport Indian (Above 300cc upto 400cc) - Fully Modified class . Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years

Novice:

Riders who are below 23 Years of Age as on December 31st of the previous year & have not WON  any race in any of the previous Championship/ Cup/ Challenge/ series/scheme conducted in India or Abroad.

Open:

Any rider who is above 23 years of age or has WON any race in any

previous Championship/ Cup/ Challenge/ series/ Scheme in India or

Abroad.

The top 3 championship winners of the Pro Stock class will not be

allowed to take part in Pro Stock in future, they shall have to take part in

Super Sport Indian or above class only.

Popular bikes used for racing :
As water cooled bikes are more powerful and faster than the air cooled bikes , most racers prefer water cooled bikes ..

       Stock upto 165cc -  Unmodified class .  ( Yamaha R 15 )

       Stock upto 165cc -  Unmodified class .  for Girls   . ( Yamaha R 15 )

·         Pro Stock upto 165cc - Semi-modified class. Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years .( Yamaha R 15, Honda CBR 150 R  )

Super sport Indian (upto 165cc)
- Fully Modified class. Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years (.( Yamaha R 15, Honda CBR 150 R , Suzuki Gixxer 150  )

·         Super sport Indian (Above 200cc upto 300cc) - Fully Modified class. Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years

·         Super sport Indian (Above 300cc upto 400cc) - Fully Modified class . Open to experts and racers over the age of 23 years

       KTM RC  390, Yamaha R 3 

Who organises track racing in India and when is it conducted ?

The Road Racing Championships are conducted in India by Madras MotorSports Club (MMSC) and JK Motorsports under permit from FMSCI.

• MMSC conducts the National Championships called the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championships (INMRC) under permit from FMSCI .

MMSC also conducts One Make Championship races sponsored by Manufacturers like TVS, Honda, & Yamaha.

These races are conducted in Chennai and Kovai . Most of the races are conducted by MMSC in Chennai.

• JK Motorsports conducts the Suzuki One Make Championship and also Superbikes races 

These races are conducted in Delhi and Kovai . Most of the races are conducted by JK Motorsports in Kovai.

The racing season is between March and November  in a calender year  . The season comprises of 5 rounds . Each round consists of 2 races each, per category .For the girls category , only one race per round is conducted .

Yearly Budget for each race category

The approximate Minimum yearly Budget  for the 5 rounds racing season  between March and November of a calendar year

National Championship -

•   Stock upto 165cc -  Unmodified class .  (novice) .  Rs 1,50,000/-  (Minimum ) .Excluding cost of bike,  crash parts replacement , track days for practise,& safety gear  . Includes entry fee  ( Rs. 7000 / round - 2 races each ) , mechanic ,petrol, lubricants , bike transport  , bike maintenance etc 

      

• Stock upto 165cc -  Unmodified class .  for Girls   . Rs 1,20,000/-  (Minimum ) .Excluding cost of bike,  crash parts replacement , track days for practise,& safety gear  . Includes entry fee  ( Rs. 3500 / round - 1 race ) , mechanic ,petrol, lubricants , bike transport  , bike maintenance etc       

• Pro Stock upto 165cc - Semi modified class. Rs 3,00,000/-  (Minimum ) .Excluding cost of bike,  crash parts replacement , track days for practise & safety gear  . Includes entry fee  ( Rs. 8000 / round - 2 races ) , mechanic ,petrol, lubricants , bike transport  , bike modification,  bike maintenance etc         .

• Super sport Indian (upto 165cc) - Fully Modified class.  Rs 12,00,000/-  (Minimum ) .Excluding cost of  track days for practise & safety gear  . Includes entry fee  ( Rs. 8000 / round - 2 races ) , mechanic ,petrol, lubricants , bike,  crash parts replacement, bike transport  , bike modification,  bike maintenance etc         .

• Super sport Indian (Above 200cc upto 300cc) - Fully Modified class. Rs 14,00,000/-  (Minimum ) .Excluding cost of  track days for practise & safety gear  . Includes entry fee  ( Rs. 8000 / round - 2 races ) , mechanic ,petrol, lubricants , bike,  crash parts replacement, bike transport  , bike modification,  bike maintenance etc         .

•  Super sport Indian (Above 300cc upto 400cc) - Fully Modified class . Rs 14,00,000/-  (Minimum ) .Excluding cost of  track days for practise & safety gear  . Includes entry fee  ( Rs. 8000 / round - 2 races ) , mechanic ,petrol, lubricants , bike,  crash parts replacement, bike transport  , bike modification,  bike maintenance etc        

One Make Championships 

The manufacturers  i.e. TVS, Honda, Yamaha , Suzuki conduct one make championships , where they supply bikes . racer have to just pay for the entry fee and race !!. This is the cheapest form of racing you can do anywhere in the world !

Novice :

TVS Apache 200 One make championship :  Rs3000 / Round - 2 races. Including cost of bike,  crash parts replacement , safety gear  ,petrol, lubricants ,  bike maintenance etc 

Honda One make race (150cc)  :Rs3000 / Round - 2 races. Including cost of bike,  crash parts replacement , safety gear  ,petrol, lubricants , bike maintenance etc  http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/downloads/Final-SR-Honda-MMSC-One-Make-Championship-2017.pdfHonda One amke championship  

Yamaha R15 One Make Race Rs2000 / Round - 2 races. Including cost of bike,  crash parts replacement ,petrol, lubricants ,  bike maintenance etc 

Note: age less than 22 

 Yamaha does not provide safety gear 

Suzuki Gixxer Cup 2017     Rs. 5,000 per round X 4 rounds .Including cost of bike,  crash parts replacement ,petrol, lubricants ,  bike maintenance etc 

Suzuki does not provide safety gear 

Open :

TVS Apache 200 One make championship : Rs3000 / Round - 2 races. Including cost of bike,  crash parts replacement , safety gear  ,petrol, lubricants ,  bike maintenance

Honda One make race ( 250cc) : Initial payment Rs 75,000 / -  plus .Rs.3000 / Round - 2 races. Including cost of bike,  crash parts replacement , safety gear  etc  . Petrol, Mechanic , bike maintenance not included . 

Motorcycle racing as a career

Today Motorcycle racing does not enjoy the mass support that other sports like Cricket, Football , Hockey, Tennis, Badminton ,  Kabadi  etc have .

Sponsors are not  interested in a sport that has such a small fan base, as they do not see value for their sponsorship money.So the prize money and sponsorship are almost negligible .

The best option is to consider racing as a hobby or a second profession , in India.


Racers will have to fund their racing  almost throughout their racing career  , either, the one make Championship or National Championship .

One make Championship is only considered as a stepping stone, the real " thing" is the National Championship . It is more prestigious to win a National Championship than a one make Championship title.


To take part in the National Championship you will have to pay a racing team for the "seat" .
Over time, once you show you are a winner , teams could offer a free seat or atleast  a  part payment . But that is few and far between , as the teams mostly are underfunded .

If you are a  consistent  winner and are lucky, you could get into a team sponsored by manufacturers like TVS or Honda where they may pay you for riding for them . But don't expect a big pay packet .

What can racers do to earn some money ?

Racers should promote themselves on Social media like Facebook, Instagram etc. and attract the most followers . This fan base could be utilised by the racer when approaching prospective sponsors . Marketing is a necessary skill that racers have to develop along with their racing skills to succeed as a racer . Sponsors will pay you for  promoting their products or services and by putting their logo on your helmet or racing suit or bike or website or social media or any other creative  way you could think off  provided they are getting high visibility with your fans .


Racers  should be constantly in touch with sponsors , meet them  and market themselves so that they can arrange funding for their racing activities . Riding talent alone is of no use if you don't have the marketing skills to promote yourself.

Is a One day training program sufficient to go racing ?

Is a One day training program sufficient to go racing ?

Absolutely not ! The one day training will only get you a certificate to apply for a racing license ( some training schools may ask you to come for more levels of training for the certificate) .

Generally, schools offer only a one or two day training session , rather than long term multiple day ( like a month long training) as it will not be economical for the student .

e.g. a one day training itself, on an average,  costs  between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15000 , so if you extrapolate those costs for a 10 day program, it will cost the student in the region of Rs. 1,00,000 plus, excluding the cost of bike rentals . So it becomes exorbitantly high for a student to afford .

So the best option for the student is to get the  first level of training ( called "Intermediate" by RACR , others, may call it by some other name ) . Learn the basics during the intermediate level.

After that you need to practise on a track . You could do track days* at a race track close to your residence. All race tracks offer track days to the public, normally on weekends.You could also practise at a small Go-Kart track .

After lots of practice and after your have gained some experience  , you may want to up your skills some more ,you could go for more training with the training school for certification for the next higher level . 

*Track days : 

"  A track day is an organised event in which one is allowed to ride around the motor racing circuits, where a road legal or track prepared  motorcycle can be used without speed restriction (as if racing, though the practice of actual racing is almost exclusively forbidden at these events) by members of the public. Criteria for being eligible to participate is usually the holding of a driving licence for the vehicle and the payment of a fee.

Usually, participants use their own vehicles, however a growing number of tracks and organizers can provide hire vehicles, if required.

Track days are opportunities to nurture the finer skills of machine control and race craft and having fun. The emphasis is on enjoyment in a controlled and suitable environment.

A track day can prove an invaluable means of improving the skills necessary to properly control your motorcycles at or nearing their full potential in relative safety. It is a common feedback from track day enthusiasts that it helps them define the massive distinction between road and track riding/driving styles and as a result, through improved skill levels and attitudes, can have a positive effect on their road safety."

FMSCI approved Motorcycle Racing Schools

Racers have to get  certified by atleast  one of the FMSCI Approved Racing Schools in India for being eligible to apply for a racing license from the FMSCI .

Each school may have different criterion for issuing certification e.g. Complete Multiple levels etc , which will have to be discussed with the respective school by the Racer .

The schools approved by FMSCI for certification are :

1. Rajini Academy for Competitive Racing ( RACR)      http://www.racr.in/#events
2. California Superbike School                    http://www.superbikeschoolindia.com/css-india.html
3. Apex Racing Academy                                    http://www.apexracing.in/apex-racing-academy/
4. Honda Ten10 Racing Academy                       http://training.ten10racing.com/
5. MMSC Training School
6. AS Motor Racing Academy
7. Gusto Racing Academy                                 http://www.gustoracing.in/race-acadamy.html
8. Kingdom Racing                                           http://www.kingdomracingindia.in/                            

Recommended Race Tracks to do training and practise

Race tracks have to be of certain minimum standards to make it worthwhile for you to do your training and practise , to sharpen your skills and to make you competitive in track racing . 

There are only 3 recognised  race tracks in India . They  are :

1.  Buddh International Circuit (BIC) , Greater Noida, near Delhi  http://buddhinternationalcircuit.in/
2. Madras Motor Race Track   ,   (MMRT) near Chennai http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/racetrack.php
3. Kari Motor Speedway , near Coimbatore      http://www.lgsports.co.in/

More race tracks are in the process of being constructed , so we may have a few more in the years to come 

There are other tracks which are smaller, about 1.2 Km long, which could also be used for training and practise . These are  tracks which are used for National Go kart  Racing Championships 

They are :

• Meco Kartopia , Bangalore     http://mecokartopia.com
• Mohite Racing Academy ,  Kolhapur.       https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mohite-Racing-Academy/172906786150584?nr
• Circuit Chicane , Hyderabad  .https://www.mecomotorsports.co.in/circuit-chicane/
• RPM Go karting , Bhopal  https://www.rpmgokarting.com/pages/go-kart 

Insight : Getting certified on  smaller tracks other than those mentioned above may be a waste of  resources . Mini tracks of 400 to 500 meters may serve no purpose other than having some fun . I doubt if you can learn any real riding skills on such tracks as the speeds are much lower and corners are tight . Even bikes over 150cc could be a overkill on such tracks .

But till such time, more race  tracks are built in India , these mini tracks will atleast keep the riding skills polished for riders who stay far away from the recognised race or Go kart tracks . 

Essential reading before getting into motorcycle racing in India

It is recommended that the racers interested in Motorcycle racing read the following documents so that they can update themselves with the requisite knowledge to go racing .

1)  FMSCI - Two Wheeler - General prescription 2017 - http://www.fmsci.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2017-2w-racing-general-prescriptions-final.pdf

2) FMSCI- Two Wheeler - Technical regulations 2017 -   http://www.fmsci.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2017.2wtr.racing.final_.pdf

3) MMSC - Read National Racing Championships and One make Championship Supplementary Regulations documents  2017 -

MMSC FMSCI INDIAN NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE RACING CHAMPIONSHIP 2017
http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/downloads/SR-MRF-MMSC-FMSCI-Indian-National-Motorcycle-Racing-Championship-2017.pdf

TVS MMSC One Make Championship 2017
http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/downloads/Final-SR-TVS-MMSC-One-Make-Championship-2017.pdf


TVS One Make Girls Race June 2017
http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/downloads/Final-SR-TVS-One-Make-Girls-Race-June-2017.pdf


Honda MMSC One Make Championship 2017
http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/downloads/Final-SR-Honda-MMSC-One-Make-Championship-2017.pdf

Honda One Make Girls Race June 2017
http://www.madrasmotorsports.in/downloads/Final-SR-Honda-One-Make-Girls-Race-June-2017.pdf