TAKING MOTORSPORTS TO THE GRASSROOTS

With the launch of Atom GP1, CRA Motorsports takes a giant step forward in putting India on the world motorsports map.

- KARAN SINGH BANSATTA & ANKYTA ARORA

WHEN we think of MotoGP, we think of Spain and Italy. One look at the grid and we know where the most racing talent comes from. We believe that it can be tracked down to what they do and it goes like this: “Catch them young. Watch them grow.” One of the best ways to ensure a steady supply of racing talent on the world stage is to our young racing. And with the launch of the ATOM GP1, CRA Motorsports has taken a massive step towards putting India on the global motorcycle racing map.

The ATOM GP1 is India’s first mini motorcycle, a kit motorcycle that one can take racing and learn the intricacies of what it means to go around a track as quickly as possible. It is geared towards smaller karting tracks and for riders aged 10+ years. The ATOM GP1 is powered by a single-cylinder, air-cooled 4-stroke engine that displaces 159.3cc on its way to making 15.05 PS of power and 13.85 Nm of torque. With a top speed of about 105 km/h, it seems perfectly specced to teach our young the art of motorcycle racing.

Another key spec would have been the weight and while we do not have the exact number, we can say with confidence that it is significantly lighter than one can imagine. With a full-system racing exhaust, FRP fiberglass bodywork, and some really premium innards along with a datalogger, it goes without saying that this is a racing motorcycle through and through. What impressed us even more though is the progress of the ATOM GP1 from conceptualization to production.