TVS has revealed an all-new purpose-built race bike for younger riders aged 10-14, called the Apache RR 200 MiniGP. The track-only RR 200 uses a retuned version of the engine in the road-going Apache RTR 200 4V and this motor 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 air/oil-cooled 197.75cc, single-cylinder 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, from the road-going RTR 200’s 20.8hp.
Nestling this motor is a heavily revised rolling chassis of the RTR 200 street naked with a sharper rake angle, shorter swingarm as well as wheelbase and smaller 12-inch wheels shod with Eurogrip Bee rubber. Suspending this rolling chassis is fully-adjustable suspension at both ends and stopping duties are handled by a 220mm disc at the fore and a 180mm disc aft.
An aluminium fuel tank and lightweight aerodynamic bodywork – as well as all the changes mentioned above – help in keeping 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 inception of the machine itself, 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 as well as 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 there is a tool as well as a system in place for riders to hone their skills.
Furthermore, TVS claims that it has built a pathway within its racing ecosystem to ensure that right from the grassroots level all the way to the international stage. In theory, a rider can stay with the brand right from the Junior Program all the way to ARRC (Asia Road Racing Championship), which is the highest level TVS competes at currently.
For now, the Apache RR 200 MiniGP programme will act as a training ground for TVS. Speaking to Autocar India, Vimal Sumbly (Head – Premium Business, 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 further 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