Double podium brings constructors title for Mahindra Racing in Italy
Rome, 14 October 2012: Mahindra Racing – the first and still the only Indian company to enter the world of motorcycle grand prix racing – created history by winning the prestigious ‘Constructors Title’ in the 125GP class at the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV) in Italy. The exciting final race of the 2012 season concluded at the Vallelunga Circuit on Sunday, 40 kms from here.
The team won the premier title armed with two young but very promising and talented riders – 17 year old Miroslav Popov and the Austrian teenager Lukas Trautmann. Bringing to the fore a phenomenal performance, Miroslav Popov ended the season in style and brought about a stunning finish for 1st place. Displaying great skill on the track, the team’s second rider Lukas Trautmann, put in yet another impressive performance to finish 2nd in the 16 lap race, says a Press Release.
Popov started the race from pole position after the outstanding performance displayed in qualifying. His team mate Lukas Trautmann, at his very first weekend on the bike, moved off from the third row of the grid after finishing the two qualifying sessions as the fourth 125GP rider in the classification.
After the lights went out Popov got immediately in the lead, while Trautmann was third at Turn 1. Both riders displayed a very good race pace that allowed them to put some gap between themselves and the other
125 GP riders.
As the race progressed Popov and Trautmann rode carefully and made no mistakes, crossing the line in first and second position. Miroslav Popov also set the fastest lap of the race with a 1’47’’041 lap-time.
Though he did not compete in the last race of the season, 27-year-old Riccardo Moretti claimed an impressive second place in the overall all Riders Rankings thanks to his phenomenal performances during the season behind leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta in the Riders Classification of the championship. He has already secured five podiums so far in the seven rounds of the season.
“This historic win by Mahindra Racing at the CIV demonstrates the superb performance our bikes, the skills and commitment of our riders and outstanding team work – all hallmarks of Mahindra Rise philosophy. Our continued success in international motor sports events such as the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship is strengthening the Mahindra brand globally.” said S. P. Shukla, Member of Group Executive Board and President of Group Strategy, Mahindra Group.
Mr. 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.”
Commenting on his performance in the race, Popov said, “I feel very content to have finished the season on a winning note. There were moments that were challenging but we worked hard, beat the odds and have come out victorious. We are working together very well as a team and I couldn’t have hoped for a better result than this. The credit for our victory goes to the team.”
Lukas Trautmann said, “I am happy with the results of the race and am gaining more and more confidence after each outing. I thank the team and Mahindra. The future looks promising and I am glad to be racing for Mahindra Racing.”
After making its CIV debut in 2012, Mahindra Racing became the first from India to win an international motorsport event when Moretti took the chequered flag at the season-opening race in Mugello, Italy on 25th March this year. The team won 6 out of the 8 races in the championship with 3 spectacular double podiums. The Indian manufacturer is one among a handful of entrants using its own chassis and engine, developing new technology at the same time challenging the might of established racing factories that fill the rest of the grid.
CIV Manufacturers Title – 1) Mahindra 176 – 2) Aprilia 162 – 3) Honda 50 – 4) KTM 34
Vallelunga Circuit Results – 125 GP CIV Italian Championship Round 8 : 1) Popov (Mahindra) – 2) Trautmann (Mahindra) – 3) Carpi (Aprilia).
About Mahindra Racing
Mahindra Racing is the first Indian team to participate in the FIM MotoGP™ World Motorcycle Racing Championship (in 2011) and the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV, in 2012).
On the world stage, the Indian factory team signed off its 2011 debut season on a high note with action packed performances by both its riders. Marcel Schrötter finished 15th overall in the 125cc Rider’s Championship and the team finished a strong third overall in the Constructor’s Championship. Danny Webb made history when he secured pole position in Valencia in the last race of the 125cc era. The team has taken this learning into its participation in the all new Moto3™ class which replaced the 125cc class from the 2012 season onwards.
In the CIV in Italy, the team competes in the 125 GP Class with ex-Italian Champion Riccardo Moretti. The team became the first from India to win an international motorsport event when Riccardo took the chequered flag at the season-opening race of the CIV in Mugello, Italy on 25 March, 2012. Since then, the team has recorded five victories from seven races with only one round remaining. Having secured second place in the Championship, Moretti has now joined Webb on the MGP-30 for the remainder of the Moto3 season.
For further information please visit: www.mahindraracing.com
About The Mahindra Group
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.
A USD 15.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India and is the only global group that is present in the complete transportation chain from two wheelers, passenger vehicles and trucks to boats and aeroplanes.
Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.
In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.
In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.
For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com, www.mahindra2wheelers.com
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