Surreal. The word’s often thrown around fairly loosely (and I’m guilty of it too), but a few weekends ago, I had an experience that any two-wheel enthusiast would agree is a fair use of the term. And to think that, if it weren’t for a nudge from Rishaad, I’d have missed out on the opportunity entirely, simply because I was apprehensive about riding on a racetrack after years away.
Ironically, the racetrack in question was one I was most familiar with. It was the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore that would be hosting the finale of the KTM Cup Season 3. The weekend brought together riders from multiple city-wise selection rounds that the brand had organised in the months leading up to it. That weekend, the shortlisted riders went through a final round of selections, where the top 20 from each of the three categories – Amateur, Pro and Women – would form the final grid. Well, four, if you also include the Media category that I, along with a few other journalists and creators, was invited to race in.
The bikes we would race were the latest-gen 390 Duke, in near-stock form, aside from racing footpegs and the removal of track-unnecessary bits like the headlight and pillion seat. There were a limited number of bikes available, with one rider from each of the four categories assigned to a single bike for the entire weekend. Sure, there were bragging rights at stake, but the pros had a lot more riding on it – including the chance to visit KTM HQ in Austria and train with some of the brand’s racing ambassadors. Naturally, that put added pressure on everyone to stay upright and avoid compromising not just their own chances, but others’ as well.
That said, this is racing, and incidents did occur, which only added further strain on an already tight schedule. With nearly 75 riders sharing a limited pool of bikes, the schedule was often stretched. As a result, some practice sessions had to be shortened or, in a few cases, dropped altogether – something that, understandably, didn’t sit well with the racers who put quite a lot of time and money into making it to the final round. The participants were vocal about the issue, and it’s something KTM now has clear feedback on.
Overall, the weekend delivered some excellent racing from all three ‘serious’ categories, and some good banter within the ‘Media’ category, which I managed to finish in P2 after qualifying in P4 – not too shabby.
Like most track weekends, there was plenty of dialogue with other riders – exchanging notes, discussing lines and getting in a couple of practice sessions before the main race – all of which contribute to what makes time at the track so enjoyable. But this one had something more. MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa was involved in nearly all of it. After a few laps around the track, he walked us through how he approached each corner, and even rode with us so we could, at least theoretically, follow his lines. Not too many people get to say that.
The weekend was also a reminder of how vibrant the racing scene in India continues to be. Men and women from across the country had come in to give this a serious shot, and that level of commitment is always endearing to witness. The KTM Cup also happens to be one of the most accessible entry points into two-wheeler racing in India, with a total registration fee of under Rs 8,000. For that, the brand provides the motorcycle, riding leathers, boots and gloves – all you need is to get yourself to the track with a helmet and the desire to go racing.