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USGPRU Strives to Enhance Racing for Exciting 125GP Class
By Laura Roach
 GP tuner Phil Dodd and racers Brian Kcraget and Steve Long of Speedwerks, always a strong team at GP races |
Grand Prix motorcycles are true racing machines, but their popularity in the United States has always been scarce. But thanks to a few dedicated individuals, an organization that believes in them, and a group of enthusiasts, the passion and enthusiasm for these bikes is making a resurgence.
With the lack of any national series for the 125s, including WERA and the AMA who dropped their GP series, Jonathan Flack and Stewart Aitken-Cade brainstormed their way into the creation of the USGPRU, the United States Grand Prix Racers’ Union, a national series totally devoted to 125 GP bikes.
To visit their website, click on USGPRU
The series is primarily run in conjunction with CCS/Formula USA, and when asked why they took a chance on the USGPRU, Kevin Elliott, Director of Competition for Clear Channel Entertainment Motor Sports, states “We saw the possibility of what you could do with a limited schedule series for the number of 125s we knew were out there.
After looking at the success of the CAN-AM series (averaging 20-30 per event) it was obvious that is you ‘sweetened’ the pot for them, and limited the number of events within a reasonable distance, they would show up in mass.” With the demise of the 250 series in the AMA, it was just a nature fit to absorb the 250 GP class into the series in 2004.
 Reet Das, Michael Santelia and Dave Deggendorf at VIR |
The series was started in 2002, with the grids steadily growing year by year, by an average of about 20-30%. The east coast just completed its first round at JenningsGP in Florida and the USGPRU was astonished by the turnout since “this was supposed to be the round with the least amount of bikes,” said Dennis Woods, East Coast Rep. There were thirty-one 125s signed up for the race, and nineteen bikes for the 250 race, which was a mixture of 125s and 250s.
Aitken-Cade was “thrilled!” at the Jennings turnout. Considering the long drive for most of the attendees of the Jennings GP round, he feels that if it is an indication of the rest of the season, “We’re going to see some huge grids this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a 50+ bike grid sometime this year,” he said.
When questioned why he wanted to start the USGPRU, Aitken-Cade commented, “I love these little bikes, and just couldn’t stand to see them go by the wayside. Plus, too many kids were coming into racing and didn’t have a place to race. They went straight to 600s. That was the only entry-level class out there. We wanted to provide an avenue for these kids to ride in a competitive series on bikes they can handle and not break their parents bank accounts in the process. This was a series designed to allow a racer to go from novice to semi-pro on the same machine.”
So, what’s so special about these machines? “They’re true GP machines. They’re fast, trick, light and the fact that they corner like no other race bike gives you a glimpse of what a motorcycle can really do with a turn,” says Elliott. Kevin Schwantz, Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden, John Hopkins, Valentino Rossi and many other world-class riders either started their careers on a GP machine, or spent some portion of it riding one.
“I think the coolest aspect of the JenningsGP round was the fact that there were so many two-strokes there that other riders took notice,” says Laura Roach, USGPRU Amateur #73, “we had a guy pitted next to us that rode a 750, and seeing a pit full of 125s, he was curious. He asked if he could sit on one of our bikes, and was amazed by its size, but was even more amazed when he found out how fast they went and how they cornered. It was cool to see other people take an interest. That’s what it’s going to take to keep this series growing.”
The USGPRU is also trying to draw an interest from young riders and female riders, because 125s are the perfect place to start. When asked who the USGPRU is most advantageous to, Aitken-Cade commented, “The young riders looking to get started. We have some real top-notch riders in this series (Brian Kcraget, Erik Dadej, Will Morton, etc.) and young riders can ride against this sort of talent and really learn.
"If you can beat these guys, then you’re ready to try your luck with the big bikes. Riding these low horsepower bikes force the rider to figure out how to really corner on a bike," Aitken-Cade continued. "Heck, anyone can just twist the throttle, but it takes real talent to ride one of these bikes at their limit around the corners.”
In addition, the USGPRU is seeing a growing number of female riders in its ranks, which is extremely encouraging. “We need more females out on the track,” says Roach, “and 125s are perfect for us girls. We are generally smaller and shorter than the guys, and the 125 is the perfect size and weight. They aren’t as intimidating as bigger bikes can be.”
The USGPRU is always looking for ways to draw more riders, and are sweetening the pot for not only the front runners. This year, they are giving points back to 30th place, and they are encouraging sponsors to not just give rewards to those who finish first. They are trying to encourage newer sponsors to give “double digit” awards, to those finishing tenth or farther back.
“They are truly thinking about everyone of their riders who is helping to grow this series, and it shows,” says Roach. “I’ve never been a rider to finish in the points, so points back to 30th is pretty cool.” They have some great sponsors this year, including Dunlop, Bridgestone, 888Fastlap, Hjelm motorsports, Infinity, Rev’It, MotionPro, Redline Cycle Imports, REV’IT! Leathers, Acid Cigars, EBC, Silkolene, GPC Moto,Speedfiber Bodywork, and CCS/Formula USA.
The USGPRU is always looking for additional sponsors, and Aitken-Cade would ultimately like to find “a sponsor that believes in the concept and has the financial means to back us and our ideas over the long haul. We’re passionate about our series, we want a sponsor that shares the same passion, dedication, and vision.”
And the passion doesn’t stop there. The riders are what help make this series so great with the enthusiasm they show for these bikes. These riders definitely are a rare breed, and there are some of the fastest club level racers out there on 125s and 250s, boasting times that are only seconds off of the 600s, which makes for some great racing. If you’ve never seen a two-stroke carve through a corner, make sure to head out for the next 125 or 250 race and check it out. It’s an unbelievable sight.
Information on the USGPRU can be found at www.usgpru.net, as well as a forum for 125 and 250 riders.
