New Women's Racing Sub-class for 2015 European Junior Cup

The European Junior Cup will incorporate a new racing class for women as part of its 2015 season. Female racers competing in the EJC will earn points towards the series championship as well as points towards the new Women’s European Cup. The highest female point-scorer at the end of the season will be crowned the FIM Europe Women’s European Cup Champion.

A supporting series at the eight European rounds of the World Superbike Championship, the EJC serves as a launching pad for young racing talent seeking an international racing career. The new sub-class will serve the same purpose in fostering female racers. The 2014 EJC had two regular female racers, Carmen Geissler (pictured above) from Switzerland and Clarissa Miebach of Germany. New Zealander Scout Fletcher also raced as a wildcard at the Magny-Cours round.

“We’re really happy and excited to announce this new initiative to encourage young women into motorcycle racing,” says Gerry Bryce, series director for the Pata European Junior Cup. “Over the past years we have had several talented female racers competing in the Pata European Junior Cup, so it’s great to extend that involvement into a new championship.”

The EJC allows racers as young as 14. For 2015, the age limit for male racers increases to 21 from the former limit of 19. The age limit for female racers is set at 23.

For 2015, the series will switch from using the Honda CBR500R to the CBR650F. Entry to the series will cost 22,950 euros, covering the race-prepped CBR650F, tires, fuel, oil, brake pads and technical and coaching support.

“We can now offer the incentive of an affordable and unique women’s championship whilst still competing with the young men on equal terms and on equal Honda machinery,” says Bryce. “The age increase for male riders follows the recent changes to other classes and is a positive move to offer even more young racers the opportunity to compete and develop their skills at an international level. Together with the launch of the new Honda CBR650F EJC control bike, these changes will provide a fantastic racing experience for talented young men and women in 2015 and beyond.”

[Source: Pata]