Royal Enfield must bring the Continental GT Cup to the States

The grassroots racing series hopes to showcase the amateur talent of Indian racers.

Who says track racing requires a fire-breathing supersport bike? For some time now, Royal Enfield has proved that you can indeed take part in the adrenaline rush on the track aboard a classic rider like the Continental GT 650.

And for 2024, the Continental GT Cup returns in partnership with its main sponsor JK Tyre.

The Continental GT Cup aims to showcase the talent of amateur racers from India, a country known for its massive motorcycle industry and passionate enthusiasts. For 2024, competitors above the age of 18 will be eligible to participate in the race series and compete in regional rounds to be held in Guwahati, Delhi NCR, Pune and Bengaluru.

Of course, the star of the show is none other than the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, but not just any Continental GT. On the grid will be specially prepared bikes for racing, called the Continental GT-R650. These cars have selected accessories designed specifically for the track, such as more aggressive ergonomics, a racing fairing and a racing exhaust system.

Royal Enfield says the Continental GT 650 has been designed to be both stylish and sporty, with road-friendly features and nimble and easy handling. The company says they spent tens of thousands of hours developing the bike for both the street and the racetrack, so it really is the sportiest RE model to date.

The 2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup is now accepting online registrations through its official website. Zonal Qualifiers will start on 25th May 2024 at Warisa Estate Guwahati Kart Track and will run till 15th June 2024 at Aruani Grid Race Track. From there, the finalists will go through Royal Enfield’s GT Experience Track School, before heading to the actual race series.

The 2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup will have three rounds of racing, with the first round scheduled from August 9-11, 2024 at the Kari Motor Speedway. After a month-long break, the race will resume from September 13 to 15, also at Kari Motor Speedway, before culminating with the final round at the Buddh International Circuit from November 15 to 17, 2024.

As a brand, Royal Enfield has never really been about cutting edge performance. And so it’s interesting to see him own motorsport initiatives like the Continental GT Cup. As some of you may know, Royal Enfield is one of the biggest motorcycle brands in India, so it draws enthusiasts in droves every time they hold events, let alone large-scale racing series like this one.

At the end of the day, more people on two wheels is always a good thing. And more people pushing their bikes – and their skills – to the limits on the track, that’s an even better thing. I just wish this series would be brought worldwide…

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