TVS has revealed an all-new purpose-built race bike called the Apache RR 200 MiniGP, designed for younger riders aged 10-14. The track-only RR 200 uses a retuned version of the engine used in the road-going Apache RTR 200 4V, and this mill sits within a heavily redesigned frame and rolling chassis compared to the road-legal machine.
- RR 200 racer far lighter and more powerful than road-going RTR 200
- Racing ecosystem being put in place by TVS
- 10 units handed to Madras International Karting Arena
TVS Apache RR 200 MiniGP revealed
The Apache RR 200 uses the same 197.75cc single-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine as the road-going RTR 200 4V but with some noteworthy differences. For starters, fuel is fed to the motor via a 30mm semi-flat-side carburettor, and it breathes through a conical free-flow air filter. The RR 200 also has a free-flow exhaust, which, in combination with the aforementioned changes, helps raise peak power to 23hp compared to the road-going RTR 200’s 20.8hp.
This motor is nestled within a heavily revised version of the RTR 200 street naked’s rolling chassis, featuring a sharper rake angle, shorter swingarm and wheelbase, as well as smaller 12-inch wheels shod with Eurogrip Bee Connect rubber. It gets fully adjustable suspension at both ends, and stopping duties are handled by a 220mm disc at the front and a 180mm disc at the rear.
An aluminium fuel tank and lightweight aerodynamic bodywork, alongside all the changes mentioned above, help keep the RR 200’s kerb weight low at just 90 kilos. Compared to the RTR 200, this is a massive 61kg reduction, although both bikes are about as similar as chalk and cheese.
Feeder programme for TVS One Make Championship
While a lot of effort has been poured into the machine’s inception, TVS is also focusing on creating a structured ecosystem for Indian riders who want to get into circuit racing at a young age. TVS will offer bikes for rent and also provide coaching at the Madras International Karting Arena (MIKA). The company wants to make motorsport more attainable and ensure that, even from a young age, riders have a tool alongside a system in place to hone their skills.
Furthermore, TVS claims it has built a pathway within its racing ecosystem to enable that right from the grassroots level to the international stage. In theory, a rider can stay with the brand from the Junior Program to ARRC (Asia Road Racing Championship), which is the highest level TVS currently competes at.
For now, the Apache RR 200 MiniGP programme will act as a training ground for TVS. Speaking to Autocar India, Vimal Sumbly, head of Premium Business at TVS Motor Company, explained, “We are not putting a championship [moniker] to it; we want to train first. Our objective with giving 10 units [to MIKA] is to get people to come here, get trained with our trainers and then eventually, over a period of time, move towards rookie or professional racing.”
Sumbly added that this programme will essentially be a feeder series for the TVS One Make Championship’s Rookie category. “It will help us get better rookies rather than getting a rookie who is just getting into the championship with little experience, and they are not able to get their full potential out.”
With inputs from Unnatee Gidithuri