Motorcycling Australia and Ohvale Australia have worked closely over the past 12 months to secure Australia’s involvement in the 2022 FIM MiniGP World Series. The FIM MiniGP World Series is a Road to MotoGP initiative between Dorna, FIM and Ohvale Europe which made its debut in 2021.
Australia now joins Italy, Malaysia, France, Netherlands, North America, Spain, UK, Alpe Adria, Indonesia, Ireland, Portugal, Qatar and Austria as host countries, launching the FIM MiniGP Australia Series for 2022.
FIM MiniGP Australia Series
The Series provides an ideal entry level platform for young Australian riders looking to begin their two-wheeled motorsport journey. The new Road to MotoGP program will take part utlising Ohvale GP-0 160 machinery designed specifically for racing on karting circuits – a perfect entry level platform for kids aged between 10-14 years old, new to the sport of motorcycling.
The winners from each national, regional or continental MiniGP Cup will have the opportunity to participate in the World MiniGP Final in Europe.
The FIM MiniGP Australia Series is the first in the Oceania region, which will feature 10 races over five rounds on the Ohvale Australia racing machines.
Motorcycling Australia CEO, Peter Doyle, said the FIM MiniGP World Series was an exciting opportunity for Australian riders.
“Motorcycling Australia is very excited to see Australia join the 2022 FIM MiniGP World Series putting Australia’s sensational racing talent on the World stage,” Mr Doyle said.
“We are pleased to support Series promoters Ohvale Australia, and the 2022 FIM MiniGP Australia Series will not only provide spectacular on track action but give riders their first steps to potentially becoming a future World Champion.
“We see the FIM MiniGP Australia Series as a crucial steppingstone for young Australian riders wanting to develop their racing skills.”
FIM MiniGP World Series
Ohvale Australia and joint promoter multiple Australian Superbike Champion, Wayne Maxwell said this was an exciting opportunity for young Australia riders and encouraged them to register their interest now.
“We are very thankful for the support of Motorcycling Australia and the FIM in securing what will be a phenomenal first for Australia, the 2022 FIM MiniGP Australia Series,” Mr Maxwell said.
“We are very excited for what this Series will bring to racing and the development of young riders.
“My dream is to one day see a young talent from Mini GP become a World Champion
“The Ohvale GP-O machine are now in stock and come with a race kit for MiniGP.
“Each bike has a factory sealed engine from Ohvale to ensure parity. Ohvale will provide technical support in the way of spare parts, from crash damage to engines.”
Riders must be between 10 and 14-years of age and will compete on Ohvale Australia GP-0 160 machines with Pirelli tyres – Pirelli are the official single tyre supplier for all the FIM MiniGP Series.
The winner qualifies for the FIM MiniGP World Final.
The FIM MiniGP World Final will soon be taking place ahead of the MotoGP season finale in Valencia, with the regulations for the event, both sporting and technical, now released.
FIM MiniGP World Series
The Sporting Regulations are applicable solely to the World Final, ensuring fair competition for the field, and have been presented alongside the technical regulations. The technical regulations come into force for the World Final, but will also apply to each national/regional/continental series from 2022 on. Each national/regional/continental series is responsible for defining and enforcing their own sporting regulations in accordance with the standards indicated in the 2022 Participants Guide.
New partners were also announced alongside the new FIM MiniGP World Series project: Ohvale is the official motorcycle of the series, Motul provides lubricants, and Pirelli are the official tyre supplier, with each partner committed to providing special pricing for FIM MiniGP World Series competitors for their respective Cups.
Jorge Viegas, FIM President
“It is with great pride that I see that so many important partners have joined the efforts of Dorna and FIM in order to conclude our first ever season of the FIM MiniGP World Series! Our decision to move forward in 2021, in spite of all the obstacles, has proved to be the right one, as hundreds of kids on so many tracks around the world could overcome their first step towards a potential successful career. I cannot wait for the final in Valencia!”
The FIM MiniGP World Series heads to Valencia for the season final
All three partners will also play a lead role in the FIM MiniGP World Series Final in Valencia, which will be broadcast live on Thursday the 11th of November. For the one-off event, all products will be provided to riders on site, ensuring competitors are able to arrive at the World Final focused solely on the event and the experience it offers.
Ohvale will provide the motorcycles, racing services and spare parts for all competitors at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Motul will provide lubricants and Pirelli will provide the tyres for each competitor.
Dorna Sports has also reached an agreement with a number of new partners in order to provide competitors in the World Final with everything they will need to compete equally and safely.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
I-Power will provide racing suits, boots, gloves and back and chest protectors for all riders. Helmet manufacturer KYT will provide each rider with a helmet, ensuring every competitor has world-class protection and perfectly-fitted equipment.
BETA will provide the tools for the World Final, and Panta will be the official fuel – providing their products to each competitor at the event.
Each and every competitor will now be able to arrive at the FIM MiniGP World Series Final and will be provided with a motorcycle, lubricants, tyres, protective equipment and fuel to race for free at the event.
The track activity for World Final begins on Wednesday the 10th of November at 09:30 CET with Free Practice sessions. Racing begins on Thursday at 10:45, with four races culminating in the Super Final race at 14:00, which is worth double points. Each race on Thursday will be broadcast live.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports
“We’re very proud to bring new partners on board, and to work with our existing collaborators, on the FIM MiniGP World Final. The FIM MiniGP World Series is a vital new initiative on the Road to MotoGP, a new step towards creating equal opportunities for young riders, and an important part of that is making sure racing is an economic possibility for all those who wish to try it. Thanks to our partners, riders will be able to arrive at the final and let their talent shine, with everything provided for them to concentrate on racing and enjoying the experience.”
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
2021 FIM MiniGP World Final Schedule (Local Time, GMT+1)
TUESDAY – 9 NOVEMBER 2021
09:00
Arrival of riders to the track and hand out of accreditations (main entrance)
The FIM MiniGP World Series is designed to unify and standardise MiniGP competitions from around the world under the same umbrella, aiming to create an equal platform for young riders worldwide to increase their skill and opportunity. Federations and CONUs (continental unions) from around the world can apply to be part of the series.
Australia is not in this inaugural 2021 season but plans are afoot for our inclusion in 2022. Australian Superbike Champion Wayne Maxwell has been instrumental in growing the popularity of the Ohvale bikes in Australia and is heavily involved in the planning for 2022. The series is aimed at riders 10-14 years old.
The goal is to have a series of national championships across the globe that follow the same rules and conditions so as to have standardized MiniGP competitions all over the world. In this way riders from different countries will have the same formation and experience
FIM President Jorge Viegas (L) and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta at the presentation
Races must take place on karting circuits that meet minimum standards set by the FIM or national federation in question, who will also decide on the minimum circuit length. Riders must be between 10 and 14 years old, competing on equal Ohvale GP-0 160 machinery. The official single tyre supplier for all the FIM MiniGP World Series will be Pirelli, with a standard tyre allocation given per event.
A minimum of four events comprising a minimum of eight races must be included on the calendar, with a minimum number of 15 permanent riders in each competition. The first event must take place by July 2021, and the final event of the season should be held no later than the 17th of October. At the end of the season, the top competitors will be offered some incredible opportunities.
The champion of every national, regional, or continental MiniGP cup will be given the opportunity to participate in a World Final, which will take place during the week leading up to the final MotoGP event of the season. The winner of the World Final will, subject to age and location/nationality, will secure a spot in one of the Road To MotoGP programs on the next rung of their career ladder.
The top riders from each national, regional, or continental MiniGP cup will also have – depending on their age and location – either direct access to the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup selection or the availability of entry into the Honda British Talent Cup, Northern Talent Cup or European Talent Cup.
the new FIM MiniGP World Series was formally presented in a special Press Conference at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Saturday. FIM President Jorge Viegas and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta unveiled the new project, joined by Ohvale CEO Valerio Da Lio and Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Department’s Wayne Doran on stage
FIM President Jorge Viegas and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta both opened the Press Conference presenting the project, before two of the OHVALE GP-0 160 bikes to be raced in the final in Valencia were then unveiled. One of the display machines was in Italian colours, set to be raced by the top competitors emerging from the 2021 FIM MiniGP Italy Series, and one sported a Malaysian livery for the top three from the FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series.
OHVALE GP-0 160 in Malaysian colours
Italy and Malaysia are just two of the first seven competitions included in the new series that were revealed in April, alongside France, the Netherlands, North America, Spain and the UK. Now, another five competitions can also be confirmed as part of the project: Alpe Adria, Indonesia, Ireland, Portugal and Qatar. The FIM MiniGP Qatar Series begins in late 2021, and will therefore be the first Cup to be included in the 2022 FIM MiniGP World Series.
FIM President Jorge Viegas
“One of the main objectives in my mandate is to allow all the young girls and boys that want to race in motorcycling to have this possibility, regardless their financial condition. The FIM MiniGP World Series is the first step on the Road to MotoGP, with very limited costs and in a safe environment. Furthermore, this project implicates directly the National Federations and the Continental Unions, and this is extremely important for its success. I want to thank Dorna, with whom we have been working for a long time on this project, for the fantastic collaboration, and also our partners Ohvale, Pirelli and Motul.”
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta
“This is a project we started to study a long time ago; how to establish the base of the pyramid on the Road to MotoGP. We have the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, the FIM CEV Repsol, Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, Northern Talent Cup, Honda British Talent Cup and many programmes on the Road to MotoGP, but the base of the pyramid is important to manage to get a lot of people racing, and in the same competitive conditions. For us this has been important from the beginning, to give the opportunity young riders to race with the same material and possibilities. I want to thank the FIM, and Ohvale and Pirelli, as well as Motul as they have recently joined us as a partner of the series.
“It’s a big collaboration, as it has always been since 1992, with the FIM, but also with the National Federations and Continental Unions. I think to involve the federations in a worldwide project is something important and this gives us the chance to do that. This project will become more and more important, for us it’s an important step and the base of the pyramid. I’m sure there will be many young riders who can test their skills racing in correct conditions: on circuits approved by the FIM, who have safety measures in place to ensure the same high level of safety as in all of our Championships. For us, this is very important.”
OHVALE will be the official and sole motorcycle supplier of the FIM MiniGP World Series.
• The bike with which the series shall run with will be the OHVALE GP-0 160 with 10” wheels. • The participants* of all the national series that will be part of the FIM MiniGP World Series, will be offered the following special conditions: 1. Price for the 1 Motorcycle 2,900 EUR + VAT + transportation costs. 2. Engine 250 EUR + VAT + transportation costs. 3. The following spare parts would be FOC for the participants and would be included in the sale of the motorcycle: • Acerbis brake protector • Carburetor kit PE28 • Kit of crankcase cover, rear light & tank foam (FIM Europe regulation) 4. All motorcycles will be sold with a sealed engine to ensure technical equality amongst the series. 5. Apparel Kit with the championship graphics. 6. Sticker kit with the championship’s logos 7. Bikes will be bought by the participants directly from the OHVALE official local dealer. *For participants who already own a motorcycle points 2 through 7 also apply to them. • OHVALE Official local dealer will be present at each event with spare parts and technical service. • OHVALE will also be present in the FIM MiniGP World Series Final: • Offering technical and mechanical support • To those participants that will join the Final from overseas, OHVALE will provide the motorcycle FOC (excluding spare parts and repairs). • Participants will have to include OHVALE logo on the Motorcycle
The riders participating in each of the MiniGP Series will be offered the following opportunities: • National & Continental levels: the top riders from each National MiniGP Series will have (according to their nationality or geographic area and age): direct access to the ATC selection and the availability of one entry into the BTC, NTC or ETC.
World Final: The top 3 classified riders National, Regional and Continental MiniGP Series will be given the opportunity to participate in the FIM MiniGP World Series Final that will be take place during the week of the FIM MotoGP World Championship final season event at Valencia. The winner of the FIM MiniGP World Series Final will secure a spot in one of the Road to MotoGP programs.
For 2021 the following series have been selected to participate in the FIM MiniGP World Series:
FIM MiniGP Alpe Adria Series
FIM MiniGP France Series
FIM MiniGP Indonesia Series
FIM MiniGP Ireland Series
FIM MiniGP Italy Series
FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series
FIM MiniGP Netherlands Series
FIM MiniGP North America Series
FIM MiniGP Portugal Series
FIM MiniGP Qatar Series*
FIM MiniGP Spain Series
FIM MiniGP UK Series
The top 3 classified riders of all these series will be invited to participate in the FIM MiniGP World Series Final which will take place from the 9th to the 11th November in Valencia**. *The FIM MiniGP Qatar Series will not be present in the 2021 FIM MiniGP World Series Final, it is the first cup to be included in the 2022 FIM MiniGP World Series. **Date and event subject to the evolution of the pandemic and the approval of the corresponding Governments and authorities.
Petronas Sepang Racing Team, in collaboration with Ohvale have today announced a Special Series MiniGP motorcycle which is available as a limited edition of 46 units from September. At just under 10,000 Euro though I can’t imagine many or any will find their way down to Australia. If you do get hold of one, let us know!
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale is based on the Ohvale 160cc GP-0 model with a number of key enhancements and features as well as additional equipment.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
The Ohvale GP-0 is the same bike chosen by Dorna and FIM for the maiden FIM MiniGP World Series Championship.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
Enhancements for the PSRT version include an upgraded chassis to allow a better fit for taller riders, fully adjustable suspension with Mupo forks and Ohlins at the rear, PSRT livery with winglets, Dell’Orto carburetor and a restyled Arrow exhaust system.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
Alongside the bike itself, each customer will receive an exclusive package consisting of bespoke branded tyre warmers, a branded race carpet and a bike cover. A selection of spare parts with a range of sprockets and pinions in a custom containment unit is also supplied.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
The bike is finished in Petronas SRT livery, which is supplied by the same company that paints the team’s MotoGP race machines.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
A limited 46 units of the PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale will be built, each with their chassis number on the triple clamp, with pre-orders being taken now for delivery from September.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
Razlan Razali. Team Principal, PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team
“We are happy to reward our strongest supporters with this limited edition PETRONAS SRT OHVALE Special Series MiniGP motorcycle. This is a superb MiniGP bike that truly justifies the red carpet treatment. This bike targets PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team enthusiasts who want to enjoy track action in the MiniGP format and we have worked with OHVALE to create something truly special with some of the best suppliers in the business. We looked at every element of ownership of one of these bikes when creating the package and there will be 46 very lucky people who have this in their garage.”
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
Valerio Da Lio. CEO of OHVALE
“OHVALE, in cooperation with PETRONAS SRT, is proud to have created this special series starting from the 160 GP-0 model. Thanks to OHVALE’s Racing DNA and technical know-how, it has been possible to enrich this PETRONAS SRT OHVALE Special Series MiniGP with special parts for leisure on the track. We were also inspired by the MotoGP bike by using not only replica colours and graphics, but also special parts with a high technical value which differentiate this prestigious model. We thank our partners for the cooperation on this project and to everyone involved in the production of this PETRONAS SRT Special Series as well as to PSRT for their trust in our OHVALE GP-0.”
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
OHVALE GP-0 is year by year becoming popular as the motorcycle for the young riders to develop their skills as the correct motorcycles for adults to train and enjoy on tracks.
PSRT Special Series MiniGP Ohvale
OHVALE GP-0 is an idea of Valerio Da Lio, industry expert with an experience of over thirty years in the motorcycle world, who teamed with great men very well known in the motorcycle industry for their extraordinary abilities and high technical ability to create a unique project in the motorcycle field.
To check out the brochure, register interest or order click here: petronassrt.ohvale.com.
The first seven series to be included in the new Road to MotoGP programme have been revealed
The FIM MiniGP World Series begins in 2021 and is designed to unify and standardise MiniGP competitions from around the world under the same umbrella. The newest path on the Road to MotoGP, the series aims to create an equal platform for young riders worldwide and increase their skill and opportunity.
Federations and CONUs (continental unions) from around the world have been applying to be part of the new Series, and the first seven competitions have been revealed: France, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, North America, Spain and the UK.
The seven are the first to have their applications approved and published and Australia misses out for now but there is already a very active scene, particularly in Melbourne, around the Ohvale machinery that will be used in the FIM MiniGP World Series where all riders will race Ohvale GP-0 160cc, the official and sole motorcycle of the FIM MiniGP World Series project.
The good news is that plans are afoot for Australia to be a participant next year. Issues around the supply of machinery and tyres to get here in time for a series to be put in place for 2021 has just not proven feasible in this COVID-19 affected world otherwise we might already be on the list, but it does look almost certain that we will be up and running here in 2022.
2020 Australian Superbike Champion Wayne Maxwell has been a driving force behind the use of the Ohvale machines in Victoria and after he retires from top level competition at the end of 2021 he will be putting a lot of his energy behind the establishment of an FIM MiniGP World Series here in Australia next year.
FIM MiniGP World Series
In France, the FIM MiniGP France Series will be called Mini GP France. Racing begins at the end of May at Le Castellet, and the calendar comprises four rounds. From Le Castellet, the Cup will race in Aigues Vives, Fontenay le Comte and Alès.
The FIM MiniGP Italy Series is the CIV Junior and will be the first to start competition on the 25th of April. Five rounds are planned for the Italian series, including two visits to Modena, and the calendar begins in Magione for the 18 riders on the 2021 entry list.
In Malaysia, the FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series will begin at Sepang International Circuit in June and race until September. A four-round calendar is planned with races at four different circuits and 15 riders are already confirmed to take part.
The FIM MiniGP Netherlands Series will begin in Veldhoven at the end of May. A round at Assen prefaces visits to Lelystad and the legendary Spa-Francorchamps, just over the border.
North America will have a continental series named the FIM MiniGP North America Series. Beginning in June, the Cup will race at Road America, Ridge Motorsports Park, Pittsburg International Race Complex and Barber Motorsports Park in the USA, but the Cup is the first CONU application to be approved and is open to the continent.
In Spain, the FIM MiniGP Spain Series starts at the Circuito Internacional Kotarr, Burgos, from the 5th to the 6th of June. More than 20 riders will fight it out at four rounds in 2021.
In the UK, the FIM MiniGP UK Series calendar takes in five rounds across the UK, with more than 15 riders on the Entry List set to compete on kart or short circuit layouts at Thruxton, Donington, Cadwell, Snetterton and Silverstone beginning at the end of July.
The FIM and Dorna Sports have received further applications from other federations and CONUs, with the inclusion of more Cups to be announced by the 30th of April.
The final deadline for federations and CONUs to submit applications to be part of the new FIM MiniGP World Series is the 23rd of April.
