The All-Female National Championship Celebrates Sixth Consecutive Year Of Racing. 

IRVINE, CA  –  The Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. program (BTR) returns to the 2026 MotoAmerica Championship with an eight-race series across four rounds, marking the sixth consecutive year for the all-female road racing series. 

The 2026 BTR season will feature a select field of 10 female riders who each build their own race-specification Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s to compete in the national championship series. The 2026 BTR season roster will have six newly selected riders and four returning riders from 2025.

“The BTR program has evolved into a vital pillar of our racing identity as Royal Enfield celebrates its 125th anniversary,” said Adrian Sellers, Royal Enfield Head – Custom & Motorsport, “MotoAmerica’s global reach provides the perfect platform for BTR to thrive. The genuine passion behind the series, and the support and amplification of women in racing fits perfectly with MotoAmerica’s diverse stable of racing programs.”

Racers selected for the program will transform stock Royal Enfield Continental GT 650s into race-ready motorcycles using specially made bodywork designed by Royal Enfield, along with upgraded suspension, braking, and exhaust components. In addition, all racers receive professional-level rider coaching and will get to showcase their skills on a national stage.

“MotoAmerica is excited to welcome back the Build.Train.Race. program for the 2026 season,” said MotoAmerica COO, Chuck Aksland. “This program has become a fan favorite at the track and continues to open doors for women who may not otherwise have the chance to get on the grid.

With Freddie Spencer and his team leading the way, participants get top-notch coaching in both riding skills and the technical side of racing. Their passion and commitment have helped make the program such a success, and we are excited to see who stands out in 2026.”

The series provides a dedicated platform for emerging female racers. By utilizing equal equipment, the focus remains entirely on rider talent and development, offering the athletes a unique opportunity to compete at the national level.

For more information on the Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race. Program, visit www.buildtrainrace.com/road-racing

More from a press release issued by Royal Enfield:

Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, is proud to announce the commencement of its 125th anniversary in North America. The brand will honor this historic milestone of over a century of “Pure Motorcycling” with a year-long calendar of racing events, groundbreaking new models, and globally-celebrated events. 

“Reaching 125 years isn’t just a look back at where we’ve been; it’s a celebration of where we are going, and North America is integral to that journey,” said Ross Clifford, Business Head – Americas, Royal Enfield. “We have 125 years of ‘Pure Motorcycling’ in our blood and we’re excited to celebrate this milestone with the next generation of riders across the continent. We believe we’re most authentically honoring our heritage by building the most exciting chapter in our history here and now.” 

Racing into 2026 

The festivities officially kick off in Daytona, where Royal Enfield has been previously announced as the entitlement partner of the 2026 Daytona Short Track Doubleheader. On AFT’s biggest stage, the brand will honor its heritage while ushering in a new generation of American Flat Track. 

From March 5-6, Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. (BTR) program will also be launching its seventh season at the Daytona International Speedway. BTR is the first of its kind, all-woman initiative that teaches aspiring racers how to build and race motorcycles on professional race tracks. With a format that brings riders together from various backgrounds to compete, the program uniquely highlights women and motorcycle culture in North America. 

Groundbreaking New Models 

This month, Royal Enfield officially launched the highly-anticipated Classic 650 to the North American Market. Merging the timeless aesthetic of the legendary Classic series with the acclaimed 650cc parallel-twin engine, this motorcycle is a tribute to the brand’s heritage. It offers riders the perfect balance of a vintage silhouette with modern performance, embodying the “Pure Motorcycling” philosophy that has sustained Royal Enfield for over a century. 

Royal Enfield will continue the celebration throughout the year with more exciting releases both in North America and globally. In North America, this includes the upcoming Himalayan Mana Black edition. Inspired by the Mana Pass route, this new offering accentuates the rugged, spartan character of the Himalayan adventure bike. 

In 2026, the Bullet 650 will also make its introduction to the North American market. A symbol of endurance, the Bullet finds its most powerful expression yet with the acclaimed parallel twin 650cc engine while still paying tribute to its impeccable British lineage and indomitable Indian soul. 

A Global Celebration of “Pure Motorcycling” 

Embracing its global community of motorcycling enthusiasts, Royal Enfield will also host rides and events throughout the year for North American riders to take part in. In September, Royal Enfield will host a special 125th anniversary edition of its One Ride, which unites riders across over 60 countries, including multiple cities throughout North America, to celebrate “Pure Motorcycling.” 

The year of festivities will cap off in November at Motoverse, Royal Enfield’s legendary three-day international motorcycle festival held in Vagator, Goa that celebrates motorcycle culture, music, art, and community. 

Throughout the year, Royal Enfield will recognize key milestones from the brand’s storied history on social media and encourage old and new fans alike to follow royalenfield.com to take part in the celebration of the brand that has embodied “Pure Motorcycling” since 1901. The brand encourages all motorcycle fans to ride along with the brand’s 125th Anniversary celebration with updates arriving on royalenfield.com throughout the year. 

More from another press release issued by Royal Enfield:

AUGUSTINE, Fla.  — Royal Enfield, the global leader in the middle-weight motorcycle segment (250cc – 750cc),  today launched the Royal Enfield Classic 650 Twin to the North American market in historic St. Augustine, Florida as the brand celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. What is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated model by classic motorcycling enthusiasts around the world – The Royal Enfield ‘Classic’ has remained the purest expression of Royal Enfield DNA in an elegant and undiluted form. 

Not only has the Classic been the foundation of several Royal Enfield motorcycle models, it has also remained a motorcycle with an impeccable pedigree, timeless elegance, old-world charm, and distinct, unwavering character. With bespoke craftsmanship and design language, the Classic has represented the very culture of classic automotive design, aesthetics and engineering. 

“Across North America, we’re seeing a demand from riders who want a bike that provides an authentic link to the past riding experiences that made them fall in love with motorcycling, while still offering modern features for enhanced comfort and performance. They’re looking for machines that feel authentic, approachable, and deeply personal,” said Nathan Kolbe, Head of Marketing for the Americas Region. “Launching the Classic 650 here in St. Augustine, a place where history isn’t preserved behind glass, it’s lived every day, and this spirit mirrors what the Classic 650 represents: timeless design paired with modern performance that invites riders to slow down, savor the journey, and reconnect with the joy of pure motorcycling.”

The newest iteration of this motorcycle showcases the distinctive spirit of the Classic family, but serves it up in a double measure. Its stately, streamlined form is propelled by Royal Enfield’s acclaimed 650 Twin engine, resulting in a ride that is both swift and graceful. While staying true to the genetic traits of the Classic family, the Classic 650 Twin offers riders a powerful new blend of old-school aesthetics and effortless power delivery. 

“The Classic is the heartbeat of Royal Enfield—the purest expression of our DNA. While its silhouette is timeless, the soul of our parallel-twin engine has always been about smooth, accessible power” said Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director at Eicher Motors Ltd. “With the Classic 650, we’ve taken that elegant form and served it up in a double measure. It’s a motorcycle that honors our history of innovation, while delivering a refined, modern performance that feels both familiar and entirely new.”

“The Classic is undoubtedly the most iconic silhouette in our lineup. And for the North American rider, the Classic 650 Twin represents a critical leveling up” said Kolbe. “The Classic 350 has been an extremely popular model here, but by combining our iconic heritage design with the award-winning 650 Twin platform, we’ve built a motorcycle that bridges the gap between heritage and high-speed capability that we believe will also resonate extremely well with riders”.

The Royal Enfield Classic 650 presale will be available starting February 26 through March 31. The presale will open at 2:00 p.m. CST for the general public and can be accessed at www.royalenfield.com.

The Context and Backstory 

While the new Royal Enfield Classic 650 is a thoroughly modern motorcycle, its roots are inextricably linked to Royal Enfield’s first ever Parallel Twin. Unveiled at the 1948 London Motorcycle Show and known simply as the ‘The 500 Twin’, it was a seminal piece of motorcycle design and engineering. 

Designed by Ted Pardoe and developed by chief engineer, Tony Wilson Jones, the 500 Twin was streets ahead of its competitors in the comfort stakes. While all other manufacturers’ twin motorcycles had either a rigid frame or rudimentary plunger suspension, the Royal Enfield 500 Twin enjoyed revolutionary swinging arm rear suspension. 

Royal Enfield’s swinging arm rear suspension was earlier revealed on the 1948 350 Bullet Trials prototype. Its success in competitions ensured it was then used on road-going 350 Bullets and 500 Twins, making them the first, full-production motorcycles to feature this design anywhere in the world. Within a few years, virtually all manufacturers had adopted this Royal Enfield design and most still use it today.

The 500 Twin’s silky smoothness continued in the engine department as well. While most engines of this era were statically balanced, Royal Enfield went the extra mile to both statically and dynamically balance the 500 Twin, with the latter step ensuring the rider experienced no finger-tingling or teeth-chattering vibrations. 

In the mid-20th century, streamlining was the optimistic promise of modernity, speed and progress. The streamline ‘speed-form’ was an integral part of the signature style of design masters such as Henry Dreyfuss and Raymond Loewy. On the 500 Twin, this influence was evident in the form of the teardrop-shaped fuel tank, side panels and, perhaps most prominently, the famous signature Royal Enfield nacelle headlight housing. With the new Classic 650 Twin, the design team has taken this design language and evolved it, italicising the stance of the motorcycle to give it a sense of motion even when standing still. 

The ‘500-Twin’ later evolved into further parallel twin models like the Super Meteor, Constellation, and Interceptor, but the 500-Twin is where it all started. 

Old-school lineage. Brand new geometry. 

A foundation for many Royal Enfield motorcycle models through the years, the Classic has carried the rich heritage and inspiration that retains Royal Enfield design characteristics, and the Classic 650 is no exception. It continues this legacy and is built to reflect the familiar and signature design elements that connect it to its predecessors. The Classic 650 seamlessly carries forward the iconic ‘frame-loop’ that connects it to all past models – from the OG Classic, to the Thunderbird, to more recently, the Super Meteor and Shotgun – but that’s where the similarities end. 

While the Classic 650 shares common heritage, it is completely modernized for the rider of today. Built on Royal Enfield’s globally acclaimed 650 twin motor platform, the design, stance, and form of the motorcycle has been matched to the engine that powers this motorcycle. The Classic 650 has shorter, sporty fenders and a leaning forward proportion, adapted to the angled forward Twin motor, giving the motorcycle a dynamic pose. More modern, wider tires add to its capability, providing a presence befitting its larger capacity motor. 

The new Classic 650 shares its mainframe with the Super Meteor and the Shotgun 650 and has dual seats with an option of pillion seat and rack removal, using a single bolt on mechanism. With bright polished aluminium and chrome finish on the headlamp unit and front trafficators, the Classic 650 continues to maintain the signature post-war British motorcycle styling, with visual harmony accentuated by flowing lines from front to back. The motorcycle bears the distinct teardrop shaped tank, and the signature Royal Enfield nacelle that houses a new LED headlamp along with the signature ‘tiger lamps’ – pilot lights – an enduring feature on Royal Enfield motorcycles since 1954. 

Double measure = Double fun. 

Built on Royal Enfield’s globally awarded 650cc platform, the Classic 650 delivers an exceptional riding experience that seamlessly blends comfort and control. Its refined gear-shifts and well-balanced chassis offers superior stability and enhanced riding experience, even on uneven terrain. The 650cc twin motor known for its strong low-end acceleration makes it ideal for quick getaways and confident overtakes. It delivers ample torque right from lower revs, providing an effortless surge of power without needing to push it hard. The engine is impressively stress-free and refined with minimal vibrations even at higher speeds. Its responsiveness, combined with well-tuned throttle makes it fun and engaging for the rider. 

The ergonomic riding posture, with perfectly positioned handlebars and a plush wide seat, keeps the rider comfortable during long rides. The front and rear suspension from Showa is tuned for a refined ride quality, absorbing road imperfections effortlessly, while the responsive handling makes it agile in city traffic and confident on highways. 

The uncluttered dash unit, featuring a digital LCD screen with an odometer, trip meter, fuel level indicator, service reminder, gear position indicator and clock, enable the rider to focus on enjoying the ride. 

The motorcycle will be offered with Genuine Motorcycle Accessories in the Classic and Classic Tourer inspired themes, allowing riders to customize their motorcycle with an even more personalized riding experience. Overall, the Classic 650 embodies the timeless charm of motorcycling with modern-day precision and comfort.

The Royal Enfield Classic 650 adorns 3 stunning colorways that complement the flowing, elegant lines of the Classic 650 Twin. With Teal, Vallam Red, and Black Chrome, each color beautifully complements the motorcycle’s classic contours. These fresh hues reflect timeless elegance and enhance the iconic design of the Classic, offering the riders to showcase their individuality and style. 

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About Royal Enfield:

The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield has created beautifully crafted motorcycles since 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the midsize motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. A leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market, Royal Enfields are engaging, uncomplicated, accessible and fun to ride; a vehicle for exploration and self-expression. It’s an approach the brand calls ‘Pure Motorcycling’. 

Royal Enfield’s premium middleweight line-up includes a range of twin-cylinder 650cc models including the Bear 650, INT 650, Continental GT 650, Shotgun 650 and Super Meteor 650. In addition, the new liquid-cooled Sherpa 450 engine has garnered great interest with the Himalayan 450 and Guerrilla 450. The even more affordable 350cc models consist of the Hunter 350, Meteor 350, Bullet 350, Classic 350 and Goan Classic 350. Riders and a passionate community are fostered with a rich profusion of events at a local, regional and international level. Royal Enfield operates through nearly 4,000 stores in 80+ countries around the globe, including approximately 150 dealers in North America.