The USD7.1 billion (R51 billion) Mahindra Group will become the first Indian motorcycle manufacturer to enter a team into the prestigious FIM Road Racing World Championship (MotoGP). Riders Danny Webb from the UK and Marcel Schrötter from Germany, already well known in MotoGP, will ride for Mahindra Racing in the 125cc category for the 2011 season. The company today introduced the two riders to the Indian media on their visit to the Mahindra headquarters in Mumbai.
Speaking about Mahindra’s participation in the MotoGP Championships, Mr Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, said, “It is a matter of great pride for us to represent India in the world’s most prestigious two-wheeled race series. Mahindra Motorcycles will compete with the best in class, and it will be an ideal opportunity for us to showcase our strengths in the engineering and IT domains. MotoGP is the ultimate test for the finest talents in motorcycle racing and an immensely popular championship with a cult following. Our participation will also help us leverage the power of global branding for the Mahindra Group.”
Marcel Schrötter, the 18-year-old former German and European 125cc champion, said: “It is exciting to be part of an international collaboration, especially with a company like Mahindra whose ethos is to support upcoming talent. With a year’s experience in the World Championship under my belt, I am now looking forward to making a mark with Mahindra Racing at the MotoGP World Championships.”
Danny Webb’s talent was spotted from an early age and he became a MotoGP Academy rider, making his World Championship debut at the age of 15 in 2006. Now a veteran at 19, Danny will enter his fifth full season in the 125cc class. The British rider said: “I hope that all the experience I have racing in the 125cc class can help this new but ambitious team and I can take a step up this year. It is a privilege to ride for the first Indian team to enter the World Championship. There seems to be a real buzz about India in international sport at the moment and it would be great if we get a good Indian following.”
Mahindra’s entry to the MotoGP Championship follows its acquisition of Engines Engineering of Italy, a company that has been constructing race bikes and providing specialised components and technical support for teams in MotoGP since 2003. The Mahindra World Championship motorcycle has been designed and developed by the Italian two wheeler specialist.
STORY BY MAHINDRA
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