Spielberg, 16 August 2016:
After an intense and fruitful weekend at the Austrian GP, the Mahindra Aspar Team remained behind at the Spielberg circuit for a day of testing with several other World Championship teams. Marco Bezzecchi had already tested a new swing arm planned for 2017 in the heat of battle during the Misano round of the CIV, coming away with two wins, the Austrian test was the first time Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia had a chance to sample the new swing arm, along with three new potential engine configurations for 2017.
The day was cut short with rain in the afternoon but the morning allowed both riders to test new engines currently being developed for the 2017 MGP3O. Each rider was given a different specification of engine, all offering a clear boost in performance. The engine used by 'Pecco' Bagnaia saw the most significant improvement around the Spielberg circuit, the day giving the team in Besozzo yet more information and data to work with.
The new swing arm was also available to test; the afternoon rain resulting in only Pecco running with it. Bagnaia's feedback again proved development for 2017 is heading in the right direction. Work will now continue at Mahindra Racing’s European headquarters as the riders prepare for the Czech GP in just a few days' time.
Francesco, Mahindra Aspar Team
"The new engine was a big step and it clearly has more performance overall. As a rider you always want more engine performance and if the 2017 bike keeps heading in this direction it will be very strong. I also tried a new swing arm which again was an improvement, the MGP3O already handles so well and it just made it better. A shame the rain came as I would have liked more time to try some more settings but now we focus on Brno."
Jorge Martin, Mahindra Aspar Team
"I tried the new engine for next year. Mahindra brought three kinds of engine and the one I used was a bit better. The one that Pecco tried was really good and a great improvement, especially in terms of acceleration. I was going to try the new swing arm but it started to rain and I still can't take any risks with my hand."
Mufaddal Choonia, CEO, Mahindra Racing
"It was unfortunate that the test was cut short by the weather but both Jorge and Pecco were pleased with the development we have done. In particular Pecco's feeling with the swing arm and new engine spec is very encouraging for 2017. Overall it was a positive but short day. There's no time to rest for the riders or the team back in Italy as we head straight to Brno for the next round and continue to work on the 2017 machine back in Italy."
About Mahindra Racing
In 2016, Mahindra Racing is competing as a constructor in its fifth year in the Moto3TM class of MotoGPTM and remains the only Indian constructor in the series, having first participated in 2011. Mahindra Racing supplies the Mahindra MGP3O single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 250cc motorcycle to the factory Aspar Mahindra Team and three customer teams. Mahindra also supplies an official Peugeot Motocycles derivative of the MGP3O to the factory Peugeot MC Saxoprint Team.
The 2016 Mahindra Racing line-up includes: Aspar Mahindra Team Moto3 - Jorge Martin (SPA), Francesco Bagnaia (ITA); Peugeot MC Saxoprint - Albert Arenas (SPA), John Mcphee (GB); Platinum Bay Real Estate - Marcos Ramirez (SPA), Darryn Binder (RSA); CIP-Unicom Starker- Fabio Spiranelli (ITA), Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN); 3570 Team Italia - Stefano Valtulini (ITA), Lorenzo Petrarca (ITA).
Mahindra Racing made history in the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix taking the first-ever podium for an Indian constructor. The MGP3O recorded top-five finishes in 10 of the 17 rounds in 2013 as well as a pole position, three circuit lap records and third in the constructors' rankings. The 2014 season saw a further three podium finishes for the Indian motorcycle, including second place at the Sachsenring. In 2015, the Mahindra regularly fought at the front of the ultra-competitive Moto3TM class and recorded a podium finish at Le Mans.
2016 got off to a strong start for Mahindra Racing with Aspar Mahindra Team Moto3 rider Francesco (Pecco) Bagnaia securing a third place podium finish at the opening round in Qatar. The podiums continued in Jerez and Mugello before Pecco made history with victory in Assen, Mahindra's first in the World Championship. It was a historic day for everyone involved and proved the high level performance capabilities of the MGP3O. As well as its commitment in the World Championship, Mahindra continues to supply MGP3O machines to Team Aspar to compete in World Championship feeder series, the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship in 2016.
Mahindra's bold decision to take on the world's best at the highest level of motorcycle racing has won the team a number of prestigious awards in India, including: the NDTV Car and Bike Awards - 'Mobil 1 Motorsport Award of the Year', 2012 and 2013; the Bike India Magazine - 'Motorsport Award', 2013; and 'ZigWheels Motorsport Award of the Year', 2012. Mahindra also won ‘Racing Bike of the Year' at the Zeeignition Auto Awards, 2016.
For further information please visit: www.mahindraracing.com.
About Mahindra
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency.
A USD 17.8 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra provides employment opportunities to over 200,000 people in over 100 countries. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership. In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel, commercial vehicles and two wheeler industries.
In 2015, Mahindra & Mahindra was recognized as the Best Company for CSR in India in a study by the Economic Times. In 2014, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000, a comprehensive listing of the world's largest, most powerful public companies, as measured by revenue, profit, assets and market value. The Mahindra Group also received the Financial Times 'Boldness in Business' Award in the 'Emerging Markets' category in 2013.
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For further enquiries
Mr. Darius Lam
General Manager
Group Communications
Mahindra Group
Phone: +91 22 2491 6818
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Mr. Harry Lloyd
Mahindra Racing Moto3TM press officer
HPS Jardine
Phone: +44 1628 450 731
Mobile: +44 7450 624 931
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