Mahindra Vrooms into MotoGP - First from India

[AMG]

Come the opening round of the 2011 World Championship Moto-GP season and auto major Mahindra & Mahindra will embark upon a path never tread by any Indian corporate in the world of motorcycle road racing. Mahindra will enter the 125cc class of the MotoGP world championships with its very own team.

The World MotoGP Championship is the blue riband of motorcycle sport, akin to what F1 means to four-wheelers. While Mahindra has entered the vibrant Indian motorcycle market, first by buying over Kinetic and then adding its very own 110cc commuter motorcycle to its small but ever expanding range, the bigger potential is what Mahindra has overseas.

Its acquisition of Italian specialist engineering firm Engines Engineering a couple of years ago is key, not just for its motorcycle ambitions in India but also its engineering skills base across automotive brands.

Engines Engineering has been very active in the sport, having made racing machines and specialized components for some of the world’s best known racing teams. Technology is key driver for this move into the sport and an application has been made to the World MotoGP Championship series promoter Dorna for an entry in the 125cc class for 2011. It is expected that the team will be known as Mahindra. It will enter a team of two riders in the 2011 season.

 

[Nikes]

Good move by Mahindra. It will help them cast a spell over their 2 wheeler tech in our country. I wish they export vehicles abroad too. Mahindra is one very serious automotive company :). Three cheers to Mahindra .........

 

[cooldhaya]

SO finally an Indian team to cheer for in Moto-GP too just like F1! Good going Mahindra!

 

[350Z]

Re: Mahindra first Indian company to vroom into MotoGP

Mahindra’s team is all set to jump in the MotoGP. An excerpt from IMB:

2011 promises to be different with both an Indian driver and an Indian team taking part in the 125cc MotoGP championships. Mahindra & Mahindra becomes the first Indian manufacturer to take in the prestigious 62 year old competition. The racing team has been christened as Mahindra Racing and will have two young lads from the UK and Germany representing them. Danny Webb, one of the riders for the team, is a 19 year-old racer from the UK while his team-mate is Marcel Schrötter from Germany. The acquisition of Engines Engineering, Italy is the primary driving force behind this venture. The Italian company has been building race bikes and has been a technical consultant for several MotoGP teams in the past. The Mahindra Racing’s motorcycle is fully designed and developed by the Italian firm and was showcased at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi.

The Italian engineers from Engines Engineering are confident of their hard work and hope that their 8 years of efforts repays them with a win in this year’s 125cc MotoGP championship. For M&M though, it is a massive brand building exercise and an excellent platform to showcase their capability to the global audience. M&M recently launched its first motorcycle called the Stallio which received a lukewarm response. The 292cc Mojo is expected to come this April and at this juncture, M&M’s entry into the MotoGP proves to be very crucial. The expectations are high and the pressure to perform will be enormous. And hence, it won’t be an easy task for Mahindra Racing. But it will be prove to be a great stepping stone to the future for the USD7.1 billion company. This year’s edition will be the last year for 125cc two-stroke and with the learning experience gained from 2011, Mahindra might well venture into the four-stroke 250cc category next year. The rumours pertaining to the staging of a MotoGP race in India are growing every single day and if it turns out to be true, the Indian audience will have a bigger incentive of supporting a home team at home.



Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[visran]

Debut win for Mahindra racing at Mugello

Debut win for Mahindra racing at Mugello

Mahindra Racing rider Riccardo Moretti won the season opening race of the 125GP Italian Championship at Mugello. His teammate, Indian rider Sarath Kumar though was forced to retire due to a technical issue.

After an exceptional qualifying session, Moretti started the race from the pole position, while Kumar got off from the 22nd spot on the grid.

It was the first outing for the young Indian rider at the Italian track having crashed earlier during the wet second qualifying session on Saturday.

Moretti though catapulted himself into the lead from pole position and quickly extended his advantage. Kumar, on the other hand, didn't get the best start he was able to settle into a good rhythm and overtake several riders ahead of him.

At the half-way point, Moretti was almost ten seconds clear of the second placed rider. Kumar was continually pushing hard as well, but a technical issue put paid to his chances due three laps from the flag.

Thanks to the debut win, Moretti leads the standings after the opening round.

Mufaddal Choonia, Principal of Team Mahindra Racing said, “We feel ecstatic winning the first race of the Italian championship which is one of the toughest national motor racing championships in the world”.

Talking about his debut win, Moretti quipped, "We started this season in the best way possible.”

“During the course of the week-end I got to know both bike and time much better and I can say we're still not at 100% but surely there's a room for improvement.”

About a low-key first outing in the Italian championship, Sarath said, "It has been a very good experience for me, despite the technical problem that didn't allow me to finish the race.”

“I learned a lot, though. I didn't get the perfect start but my race pace was not so bad. Next time I will do better, I'm sure."

Source:
Debut win for Mahindra racing at Mugello - News - Autocar India

 

[visran]

Second Win in a row for Mahindra
Riccardo Moretti finished with 1st place
and his Indian team-mate Sarath Kumar ended up with a fantastic 7th position

this is what both the rider's had to say after the race

Riccardo Moretti said "It's been a really tough race. My bike improved a lot compared to yesterday's qualifying, but we were not still 100 percent with the set-up. My technicians were still impressive to allow me t to win the second race in a row in the Italian Championship. I was involved in some hard fight straight after the start with some Moto3 riders and it's been a good race, although the track conditions have made it all harder. I'm happy for the win and I want to thank Mahindra and all my team."

Sarath Kumar said ``It is a great feeling ofpride and satisfaction for having scored my first points in an international championship. I am thankful to all the encouragement and support given to me by my team, my manager and the Mahindra Group.’’

Anand Mahindra too seemed very delighted with the result,this is what he had to say about the race

``We are ecstatic about our second consecutive win in the Italian Championship today. Riccardo Moretti has shown tremendous skill and expertise in negotiating the circuit under damp conditions. We are particularly proud of our fellow Indian Sarath Kumar for scoring his first ever International points.’’

 

[visran]

Another podium finish this time it's our indian rider SARATH KUMAR.

Indian rider Sarath Kumar secured his first ever international podium finish in Europe at the CIV-Italian championship in Monza. Sarath now has 22 points and is placed in the fifth position, up from ninth. Sarath’s teammate and winner of the first two rounds, Ricardo Moretti was forced into early retirement after his bike’s engine stalled twice. He is now in the second position in the standings with 50 points.

Source:
Sarath Kumar scores his first ever international podium - Overdrive

Mahindra is doing very good this season hope they win the constructor's championship

 

[visran]

First Moto3 points for Mahindra at Le Mans

Mahindra’s Marcel Schrötter brought home first points for Mahindra in the new Moto3 category after he finished 12th at the French GP at LeMans where difficult conditions saw more than half of the 33 starters retire from the race

Schrötter had started from the back of the grid after problems in qualifying, and knew he faced an uphill task. But he kept his head down while others, including his British teammate Danny Webb fell prey to the trecherous conditions.

The race, fourth of the 17 round MotoGP championship, was won by French home hero Louis Rossi, survivor of a leading group that was ravaged by crashes.

"We had so many problems this weekend and the conditions were treacherous. Our engine is quite aggressive, making it more difficult in the wet", said Marcel.

"From the start, it was so difficult – so slippery you could hardly go round the corners.

"By the end I just wanted to finish, even if I lost positions. But it paid off, because so many other riders crashed, and I did finish and it is good to get points."

 

[visran]

Mahindra Racing Announces New Partnership with Suter Racing Technology AG for 2013 Season

Mahindra Racing Announces New Partnership with Suter Racing Technology AG for 2013 Season | Motoroids

 

[visran]

Mahindra gunning for constructors' title in CIV

Mahindra Racing will be gunning for title glory going into the final weekend of the Italia National Motorcycle Racing (CIV) in the 125GP category at the Vallelunga circuit.

Mahindra currently leads the constructors rankings with a narrow margin of five-points over Aprilia, and even a second-placed finish will seal the title for the team.

The teams' hopes will be resting on Italian rider Riccardo Moretti and Czech Miroslav Popov, with the team having won five out of the seven races thus far with two double podiums.

Having scored five podium positions including a win at the season opener in Misano, Moretti is also poised to win second place in the riders classification for the championship.

Mahindra gunning for constructors' title in CIV | News | Autocar India

 

[visran]

Mahindra Racing wins ‘Constructors Title’ at CIV 2012

The only Indian racing team in motorcycle grand prix racing, Mahindra Racing have added another feather to their hat by winning the ‘Constructors Title’ in the 125GP class at the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV). The team riders - Miroslav Popov and Lukas Trautmann both put in impressive performances to finish first and second in the 16-lap race. Both riders displayed a very good race pace that allowed them to put some gap between themselves and the other 125GP riders. Miroslav Popov also set the fastest lap of the race with a 1’47’’041 lap-time. In the Riders Rankings, Mahindra Racing’s rider Ricardo Moretti who did not compete in the last race, still clocked an impressive second place.

Mufaddal Choonia, CEO of Mahindra Racing said,

“Winning a highly competitive event like the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship is a historic achievement for Mahindra Racing and Indian motorsport. We competed against the best in the world with a pair of young and energetic riders and our victory marks a big step forward for the team. The year wasn’t all easy but we remained determined and committed and are thrilled with the results.”

 

[visran]

Oliveria and Vazquez for Mahindra in 2013

Mahindra Racing has confirmed its riders for the 2013 Moto3 season with experienced Spaniard Efrén Vázquez teaming up with Portuguese teenager Miguel Oliveira.

The signing comes on the back of a new technical partnership with established Swiss firm Suter Racing Technology AG for the development of a new Moto3 challenger for 2013.

The team has also announced that it will also move from its current Italian base to Switzerland for 2013 and introduce a number of new and experienced personnel and is hoping that this restructuring will pay dividends.

“We are in the process of implementing strategic changes we had planned for next year and so far the outcome has been excellent” said Mr S.P. Shukla, President, Group Strategy and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra Group.

“MotoGP plays an important part in our wider business strategy as a leading player in the field of mobility from 2Wheelers to Cars to Sports Vehicles and is also a vital test bed for future technological development.

"We are committed to success in the series and the announcement that these two talented young riders will join Mahindra Racing underlines this.”

The experienced Spaniard was excited at the prospect of joining the Indian team for 2013.

“Mahindra has shown some real commitment to the sport and I was impressed by their plans.

"I am looking forward to working with the team and we are aiming to make the new bike into one of the top machines in Moto3”, he revealed.

“Having an Indian company involved in MotoGP is great and so I am very pleased to join this project,” added Miguel Oliveira.

“Mahindra Racing has enormous support in India and I want to help them achieve their goals. I know there will be challenges ahead, but I am confident and very excited about 2013.”

Oliveria and Vazquez for Mahindra in 2013 | News | Autocar India

 

[visran]

Mahindra Racing’s rise up the ranks

India’s first Indian factory team to participate in the FIM MotoGP World Motorcycle Racing Championship, Mahindra Racing, has come a long way since its debut in 2011. In its first championship year, then Mahindra Racing rider Marcel Schrötter finished 15th overall in the 125cc Rider’s Championship, while the team itself finished third overall in the Constructor’s championship. The team’s other rider, Danny Webb, made history when he secured pole position in Valencia in the last race of the 125cc era.

The team then went on to win the Constructor’s title in 2012 in the 125GP class of the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship, CIV. It recorded six victories from eight races, which included three double podium finishes. This was the first time that a team from India won an international motorsport championship. Mahindra Racing rider Riccardo Moretti went on to secure second place in the Rider’s Championship.

In August 2012, Mahindra Racing teamed up with Swiss company Suter Technology AG for the 2013 racing season. The first-ever Indian manufacturer to compete in a two-wheeled World Championship series will collaborate closely with former Grand Prix rider Eskil Suter’s company to produce an all-new Mahindra Moto3 race bike. The team will field two new riders for this season: Efrén Vázquez Rodriguez from Spain and Miguel Oliveira from Portugal.

 

[visran]

Mahindra Racing announces its rider line-up for the 2013 Italian CIV Championship

Mahindra Racing, who competed in the Italian CIV Championship last year and successfully secured the constructor’s title on debut, are all set to compete in the championship onceagain. For the 2013 season the CIV championship moves to 250cc, single-cylinder four-stroke machines from 125cc two-stroke ones, in keeping with the Moto3 class in MotoGP. Interestingly, MotoGP legends like Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini have raced in the series before moving onto bigger championships and finally MotoGP.

Mahindra Racing will employ its 2012 Moto3 machine, the MGP30 for the CIV championship. Mahindra Racing won six out of the eight races in the series last year, apart from securing 3 double podium finishes. Spearheading Mahindra Racing’s attack in the CIV championship this year will be 16-year-old Andrea Locatelli and 17-year-old Michael Rinaldi. The Italian Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV) begins in Mugello in April 6, 2013 and is held on some of the finest race tracks that Italy has to offer. Through their participation in the series Mahindra Racing hope to build on their racing experience, and use the same to their advantage in Moto3.

Here is the provisional calendar the 2013 Italian CIV Championship

R1, R2: April 6-7, Mugello

R3, R4: May 25-26, Vallelunga

R5, R6: June 15-16, Misano

R7, R8: July 27-28, Imola

R9, R10: September 21-22, Mugello

 

[visran]

Mahindra Racing finishes in the top ten at the Qatar Moto3 World Championship

While the MotoGP season opener was nothing less than thrilling, the Moto3 edition also had its own share of goodies. In what was an action packed race, Mahindra Racing’s new riders Efren Vazquez and Miguel Oliveira qualified in the fifth and eight positions in what is a 17 championship round event. In his early laps, Oliveira was with the leading five and at a certain point in the race was the only non-KTM rider in the top ten with ten laps more to go. However, towards the end of the race, the raw pace of KTMs saw Oliveira cross the finish line in seventh position.

Vazquez who was close behind, had four bikes crossing him before the line in just over half a second. He finished in the tenth place.

The next race will be held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Mahindra Racing finishes in the top ten at the Qatar Moto3 World Championship - Overdrive