Yamaha Challenge 700: Get off your sofa and race!
The Yamaha Challenge 700 is open to any riders aged 15 and over, with races taking place on six French circuits aboard R7 machinery.
Yamaha France is opening the door to grassroots racing once again, as the Yamaha Challenge 700 returns as a more accessible competition.
The championship is open to anyone aged 15 and over, with no upper limit, meaning teenagers, seasoned track-day regulars, and late-blooming racers can all share the same grid. Rounds take place at a mix of circuits across France — some household names, others slightly more under the radar — and run alongside the French Superbike Championship (FSBK), which should give the paddock a distinctly professional feel.
You may also like to read our Yamaha R7 review.
At the centre of the series is a fleet of identical Yamaha R7 machines. Each bike must be owned by the rider and prepared using official Yamaha and GYTR components to keep the racing close. Approved upgrades include a quickshifter, Akrapovič exhaust, Öhlins fork cartridges and rear shock, GYTR clip-ons and rearsets, plus crash protection.
All bikes run on Michelin slick tyres, with two sets supplied per race weekend. Riders can choose their own leathers and helmets, although an approved airbag system and chest protector are compulsory.
The championship itself is divided into three sub-classes. Scratch is open to riders from 15 to 77, Hope is designed for emerging talent aged 15 to 19, and Feminine provides a dedicated category for female racers. Points are awarded from first down to 15th place, with an extra point available for the fastest lap.
Alongside the main leaderboard are separate standings for the overall championship, under-19 riders, and female competitors. The top three in each category collect silverware, while the championship leader earns the right to run a special plaque.
There are tangible incentives, too, with bonuses up for grabs for leading finishers in the Scratch, Hope, and Feminine categories. Win the overall Scratch title, and you’ll be handed the keys to a Yamaha R9, complete with Michelin tyre support for the following season.
YAMAHA CHALLENGE 700 - FSBK 2026 CALENDAR
- April 3-5, 2026 - Le Mans
- April 30-May 3, 2026 - Lédenon
- May 28-31, 2026 - Nogaro
- June 18-21, 2026 - Pau-Arnos
- July 30 - August 2, 2026 - Le Vigeant
- September 24-27, 2025 - Magny-Cours
As with any racing championship, how ‘cheap’ it is depends on your disposable income. Entry fees are set at €785 per event if you take part in the full season, or €835 for single races. For riders who’ve ever wondered what it might be like to swap track days for a starting grid, the Challenge 700 might be the best way to dip a toe.
More information can be found on the official website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
