BigRock Dirtpark Trail Attack Challenge 2020: A Race Weekend With The Royal Enfield Himalayan

The Rules

The Trail Attack was split into multiple categories:

1. Class 1: up to 250cc
2. Class 2: above 250cc and below 400cc
3. Class 3: above 401cc and below 550cc
4. Class 4: above 550cc
5. Ladies Class: any motorcycle
6. Media Class: Royal Enfield Himalayan
7. Kids Class: (Exhibition Class)

Participants were required to complete a total of five laps. Winners of each class were determined by the shortest overall time taken to finish the course. If the rider were to exit the track without completion of the laps, they were automatically disqualified for the event.

The Track

The Bigrock Dirtpark Trail Attack event features a terrain that is a mix of gravel and mud. The track measures a distance of 2.5-kilometres each lap with a total race distance of 12.5-kilometres over five laps.

The track is approved by FMSCI and has some tricky sections - steep inclines with sharp bends, fast sweeping corners, blind turns, fast straights, small and big jumps.

Let's now walk through the event progression over the weekend.

Day 1

Day 1 saw participants gather at the venue bright and early. Thanks to Royal Enfield, we were given the keys to a sturdy Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6 to compete in the Media category.

After a medical examination to determine eligibility based on fitness factors, participants were required to assemble at the parc fermé to begin the event. What followed was a controlled recce with Vijendra Nilagiri (Trainer, Bigrock) and Shadul Shas Sharma under the watchful eyes of Nilesh Dhumal (Head Trainer, Bigrock) to help participants understand the track, terrain, and racing lines. A free practice session quickly followed marking the end of Day 1.

Day 2 (Race Day)

Be it the Himalayans, the Impulses, the KTM 390s or the bigger ADVs, the track was strategically designed in a way that all motorcycles (and their riders) regardless of the class experienced advantages and disadvantages.

Being a serious day of racing, the scrutineers fixed two transponders to the participant's motorcycle for timing their 5-lap run. Transponders measure the timing of each lap to ensure an accurate readout. However, the count for the number of laps had to be done the old school way as there were too many participants to track.

The big-capacity motorcycles lined-up first followed by the media-class and others. The experienced riders showcased tremendous control off-road, while the novice riders did a good job too and showed immense courage on the track.

After the completion of all the categories (excluding the Kids Class), it was time to witness the high-spirited kids on their mini bikes. Audiences were treated to some amazing action from the talented young ones who boldly took on muddy turns, jumps, and steep inclines. Such was the enthusiasm that the youngest of the participants was a sprightly seven year old!

And now on to the class-wise winners of the 2020 Trail Attack Challenge:

Ladies Class
Prianca Gata (Hero Xpulse) (00:37:44)

Class 1 (up to 250cc)
Ajay Manjunath (Hero Impulse) (00:23:08)

Class 2 (above 250cc, and below 400cc)
Nihal (KTM 390 Adventure) (00:26:47)

Class 3 (above 401cc, and below 550cc)
JagadishVijay (Royal Enfield Himalayan) (00:26:34)

Class 4 (above 550cc)
Palaksha Shadaksharappa (Triumph Tiger) (00:25:39)

Media Class (Royal Enfield Himalayan)
Pratheek Kunder (00:26:30)

Kids Class
Jinendra Sangave (00:05:30)

Thoughts About The Bigrock Dirtpark Trail Attack 2020

The Bigrock Dirtpark organized an exciting two-day event where we experienced two-wheeler off-road racing first hand. Thanks to Royal Enfield, our experience was enhanced as we participated in the rally event with the mighty Himalayan. The motorcycle took the battering like a charm and helped us in finishing the five-lap race. All in all, it was an experience that will stay with us for a long time. Kudos to Royal Enfield!