50cc World Championship
| Category | Grand Prix motorcycle racing |
|---|---|
| Inaugural season | 1962 |
| Folded | 1983 |
 | This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: The article requires further detail and sources to ensure the topic can be understood by those without knowledge of the sport. (July 2026) |
The 50cc World Championship was a class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing for motorcycles with engines of up to 50 cc. It was part of the FIM motorcycle racing world championship from 1962[1] until 1983.
History
[edit]The 50cc class was introduced to provide competition for lightweight motorcycles and became one of the categories in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship. The class encouraged manufactures to develop extremely small but highly advanced racing engines.[citation needed]
The motorcycles featured advanced two-stroke engines, lightweight frames, and high-speed gearboxes.
Championship history
[edit]The 50cc category became known for intense competition between European and Japanese manufacturers. Suzuki developed[2] a successful range of lightweight Grand Prix motorcycles, including the Suzuki RK66 and Suzuki RK67, while Kreidler and other manufacturers also achieved championship success.
The class remained part of Grand Prix motorcycle racing until the end of the 1983[3] season. It was replaced by the 80cc World Championship in 1984.
Manufacturers
[edit]During the 1960s and 1970s, manufactures including Suzuki, Honda, Kreidler, Derbi and Minarelli competed in category.[citation needed]
Notable riders
[edit]Motorcycles
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Walker, Mick (1998). The Grand Prix Motorcycle. Hazleton Publishing.
- ↑ Wilson, Hugo (1995). The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle. Dorling Kindersley.
- ↑ "FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations and History". Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme. Retrieved 21 July 2026.