Think you've got what it takes to showcase your off-roading skills like a pro? Then, here is a talent show hosted by manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, Hero MotoCorp. They recently announced the 'Hero Dirt Biking Challenge (HDBC)', a talent hunt, hosted by an OEM (original equipment manufacturer).
Aim of the event
The purpose of hosting the challenge is to provide riders, enthusiasts and amateurs with a platform to pursue their passion in off-road racing and make a name for themselves in the field.
Chief Growth Officer (CGO), Hero MotoCorp, Ranjivjit Singh, said, “The Hero MotoSports Team Rally -- the rally-racing team of Hero MotoCorp -- has been India’s flag-bearer in international rally racing and we are now bringing that expertise to mentor the youth in India through HDBC."
He added that this will give a boost to the off-road riding culture in the country. "I am sure this first-of-its-kind initiative in the country will open doors for riding enthusiasts and provide India with its future champions. We wish all the participants the very best of luck,” he said.
The prize
The aim of the event is to reach out to 45 cities. The winner and two runners-up will receive the popular Hero Xpulse 200 4V motorcycle and sponsorship contracts from Hero MotoCorp worth Rs 20 lakh.
The progamme will be telecast on MTV and streamed over Voot in the month of November 2022.
The participants of the challenge will be trained by the Hero MotoSports Team Rally – an international team, and the only Indian team ever to win a stage at the Dakar Rally. Coaching will be provided by Hero MotoSports Team Rally riders Ross Branch, Joaquim Rodrigues, Sebastian Buhler and Franco Caimi.
Registration & participation
To register, participants need to log on to the www.hdbc.in. website.
After screening the online submissions, the first round will be held in around 45 cities.
Participants, who get shortlisted from the round, can move to the regional rounds that will be held across 18 cities.
The top 100 selected riders will go to a five-day regional bootcamp, where they will be trained by ace Indian rider, CS Santosh.
The bootcamp will conclude with a race and the top 20 participants will then move to the finals.
The finals are slated to take place at Hero MotoCorp’s state-of-the-art R&D center in Jaipur.
At CIT, the riders will be trained and mentored by the Hero MotoSports Team Rally over five days before the final race to choose the winner for the coveted prize.