Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 – Endurance Race

Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 – Endurance Race

Getting the chance to ride a proper race-spec bike on a race track was one of the most enlightening experiences

Race tracks, a place every rider yearns to visit. A place that keeps you dreaming, weeks before you step onto it. Counting each and every day as it passes by, trying to control your excitement imagining every moment, leaning on your chair while watching YouTube videos, trying to learn the track beforehand. Hoping for two days full of action, high adrenaline, and the one thing you love most. Bikes. Never have I felt so charged up on a Monday morning, the credit for which goes to my colleague, Dhanil Vira, as he confirmed my name for the upcoming Suzuki Gixxer Cup – Media Endurance Race. I had my fair share of track days but it would be my first-time experiencing Kari Motor Speedway (KMS). KMS is a 2.1 km technical playground for anyone who wants to master the art of racing and what better than the newly launched, race-spec, Gixxer 250 MotoGP Edition to have as your weapon.

Day 1. A delayed one-stop flight had me rushing straight to KMS, worrying that I’d miss precious track time. Luckily, I reached just as they were about to introduce the bike to us. The race-spec Suzuki Gixxer 250 would leave any biker in awe. The engineers at Suzuki did a phenomenal job bringing this bike to life. These bikes were fresh out of the oven, waiting for us to test their limits through the weekend. It had everything a race-spec bike should have barring a few modifications which can be excused considering the bike debuted in this year’s Gixxer Cup. In comparison to its stock brother, it gets racing clip-on handlebars, raised rear-set footpegs and a rake lowered by 1 mm, which gives the rider an aggressive and committed riding stance. The bike was equipped with a set of super-sticky Metzeler Sportec M7RRs which enhance the grip exponentially.

Stealing the spotlight was the feather-weight full system exhaust, custom-developed only for the race-spec Gixxer 250. It enables a significant boost in power, reduces weight and has a growl which you would never tire from, leaving you asking for more. The Suzuki Ecstar MotoGP livery shoots its aesthetic value off the roof. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself staring at the bike endlessly, losing all consciousness of what’s around you. I couldn’t wait to get into my race suit and let this beast unleash. We suited up, followed by a briefing session on track regulations and race format by the FMSCI Stewards and Race Marshalls.

Due to delays in their schedule, teams were established randomly before we got started and the qualifying session was clubbed with practice. I was paired up with Varad More, who I was eager to learn from knowing his experience with bikes. We each got 15 mins to learn the track and go for a time-attack. As I got onto the bike, I was blown away with how smooth the ride was, gearing was absolutely seamless, albeit the gearing could’ve been taller as you could hear almost everyone redlining through the main straight. The bike felt a bit petite for my liking and could’ve used a wider fairing making the bike more aerodynamic. The brakes were adequate, and along with sticky tyres, instilled enough confidence to attack corners with speed.

At the end of practice-cum-qualifying, I clocked my fastest time of 1:36:270, which I wasn’t too proud of. Then again it was my first time and 15 mins didn’t seem enough. My partner had clocked the fastest lap time of 1:21:520, placing us third on the grid for race day. The endurance race format is quite interesting and I’m glad Suzuki Motorcycles India takes this initiative every year. It didn’t matter who was ahead or behind you. It didn’t matter if you posted the fastest or slowest lap time. The only thing that mattered was the number of laps completed and to achieve that, consistency was key.

All was going great until the terrible miscommunication that took place between me and the Race Marshall

Day 2. A million thoughts run through your mind before a race, but they all vanish once you mount your stallion. Varad and I settled on him starting the race. It was a 40 min race where each rider had to spend a minimum of 14 mins and a maximum of 26 mins on track. As the second rider, I held the bike and kept it ready for my partner to run towards it and begin his lap. We anxiously waited for the flag to go off. It was time. Varad clocked the fastest lap time in his run, giving us a good lead over others. 22 mins passed and it was my time to shine. I entered the track with only one goal in mind, “I will not let anyone lap me”. Confidence was higher, which resulted in better lap times. All was well. We were the leading team. The podium was in sight!

But in the final 4 mins, a Race Marshall flashed my competition number (12). This meant my partner wanted me to come in. I was confused, and couldn’t understand why I was called in. Yet, trusting his instinct I went into the pits, only to see him as confused as I was. It was a false call. A mistake that cost us the entire race. I raced back on track trying to cover up the time I lost, but it was too late. We dropped to the sixth position. I improved my time by 6 seconds, clocking my fastest lap at 1:30:002. I was certain that we were the winners, had this mistake not occurred. We appealed to Race Direction in writing. Gathered witnesses from rival teams who also saw my competition number flash as evidence. Yet the verdict wasn’t on our side.

Then again, I looked at the positive side of it all. I wasn’t going to let this incident ruin everything else that I gained. I improved as a rider, made valuable connections with people who share a common love for bikes, and most of all, I got to experience KMS on a beautifully crafted bike. In conclusion, I’m thankful for Suzuki Motorcycles India, who created this platform for enthusiasts like myself. It only adds fuel to our burning desire to grow as riders. This whole experience has left me wanting for more. I can’t wait for next year’s edition and I’ll ensure there are no mistakes next time.