Young Riders Fulfill Dreams on the Racetrack: China Youth Road Motorcycle Championship Kicks Off

Motorsports are no longer solely an adult’s game, as kids can now also speed around the track on their motorcycles. On June 19, the 2024 China Youth Road Motorcycle Championship was launched in Chongqing, marking the addition of a national youth event to China’s auto and motorcycle sports calendar.

Launch ceremony scene.

Youth Road Championship race prototype.

What kind of event is this?

The 2024 China Youth Road Motorcycle Championship has been approved by the General Administration of Sport of China and the China Auto and Motorcycle Sports Federation (CAMSF), and is listed as a national A-class competition in the annual national sports competition plan and CAMSF calendar. Organized by the CAMSF, it is a legitimate and official event.

He Jiandong, the full-time vice chairman and secretary-general of the CAMSF, who attended the event, stated that the championship represents China’s highest level youth road motorcycle competition, aiming to establish a safe, scientific, and growth-oriented competition system for the country’s youth.

According to the plan, the championship will hold 3-5 city races across China annually, with the opening round scheduled for August 15-17 in Xinyu, Jiangxi.

Launch of the supporting laboratory.

Young racers undergoing training.

How can children participate?

Participants must be junior riders aged 10-16 holding a C-class racing license issued by the CAMSF and a resident ID. For Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan junior riders, application to the CAMSF is required, while foreign junior riders need to possess a valid FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) race license or an equivalent one issued by their home motorcycle association, with a consent letter from their national association.

Riders can enter individually or through a team, with each station race ranking contributing to the overall “Zhonghua Cup Champion” title. The organizers also mentioned that racers can choose to compete in different categories such as the Zhonghua Group, Elite Group, or International Cup. The Zhonghua Group is the top tier of the China Youth Road Motorcycle events, divided into three sub-categories: 110CC (10-inch), 160CC (12-inch), and 190CC (12-inch).

Young racers in action.

Is the safety ensured?

Safety is paramount in any sports event, especially in motorsports. Thus, the organizers have committed to providing comprehensive safety for young competitors based on the standards of “licensed riders, certified equipment, designed tracks, qualified staff, and systematic management.” This means that junior racers must meet certain requirements, and safety equipment and track design will adhere to national standards. Emergency mechanisms, medical support systems, and commercial insurance programs have also been put in place specifically for the event.

The Chongqing Municipal Sports Bureau’s relevant official highlighted the city’s reputation as a motorcycle manufacturing hub and its encouragement of standardization and regularization in motorcycle sports. The head of the Chongqing Auto and Motorcycle Sports Association expressed the intention to improve the competition’s standards and equipment levels, striving for modernization and internationalization through the event.