R1 Cup ready to rock

The new Yamaha R1 Cup that blasts into action next year at BSB rounds is being backed  by Henderson Insurance Brokers.

Rob McElnea, the man who gave us the Virgin Yamaha R6 Cup to allow young riders to showcase their talents, has now come up with the biggest, fastest one-make racing series ever seen in the UK.

• See our test of the R1 Cup bike
• Karl Harris video interview
• Karl Harris gets Yamaha British Superbike ride
• Nick Medd talks to MCN
• Video Interview with Joe Dickinson

Essentially for superstock R1s on Metzeler slicks, the aim of the series is to give every rider an equal chance of success, pitting experienced riders against rookies – as well as giving the fans some of the wildest racing action imaginable.

McElnea said: “The R1 Cup has fired the imagination or riders and fans so much,” he said. “It’s the best thing to hit British tracks in years. We’re set up and ready to go but there’s still a few slots left on the grid if there’s any riders out there wanting to join us. And, at £25,000 all in to enter, that’s got to be good value for money.

“We’ve got riders who did supersport last year, superstock cup plus some graduates from the R6 Cup as well as riders from Scandinavia and Europe.”

How the series works:

Riders pay £25,000 to enter, which covers entry fees, bike prep, tyres, and even crash damage.
All 36 identical R1s are maintained by Rob McElnea Racing Company to ensure everyone starts equal.
The bikes will be stock R1s equipped with racing exhausts, Power Commanders, Ohlins race kitted forks and shocks, braided brake hoses and adjustable rear sets.
The bikes will run on Metzeler slick tyres and each rider is given a tyre allocation per race weekend including slicks and wets.
Instead of a season-long campaign, the R1 Cup is split into two separate six-round championships, the aim being to spread the prize fund more widely and give riders who might hit problems early in the year a second bite at the cherry in the second half of the season.
There’s also two separate races as a supporting event at the Donington MotoGP
The total prize fund of £100,000 is designed not just to award winners, but also spread the money among the field.
There is no guaranteed ride with the official Yamaha race team like there was with the R6 Cup but the overall champion from the Spring Cup and autumn Cup gets a superbike test ride with the Yamaha team.

How the money is paid out

Total Prize Fund: £100,000

R1 Spring Cup
Per Race: 1st £1500, 2nd £1000, 3rd £750, 4th £500, 5th £400, 6th £300, 7th £250, 8th £200, 9th £200, 10th £200. Pole position: £250. Holeshot: £200. Fastest lap: £200.
Spring Cup Champion: £5000.

MotoGP event
2 races overall 1st £2000, 2nd £1000, 3rd £500.

R1 Autumn Cup
Per Race: 1st £1500, 2nd £1000, 3rd £750, 4th £500, 5th £400, 6th £300, 7th £250, 8th £200, 9th £200, 10th £200. Pole position: £250. Holeshot: £200. Fastest lap: £200.
Spring Cup Champion: £5000.

Overall Yamaha R1 Cup Champion: £10,000 plus Superbike test with Yamaha team.
Under 25yrs Rookie Champion: £5000
Superpole champion: £2500