Saturday, March 1, 2014
DHONIS RACING TEAM MSD R N NOW BECOMES MAHI RACING TEAM
Everyone knows about Indian Cricket Team skipper MS Dhoni and his love for bikes, but most of you aren’t aware that he owns a Moto GP racing team as well. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Superbike Championship Team has unveiled a new identity and announced two new riders in its line-up for the upcoming season. The team marked its entry in the world of superbike racing mid-way through the 2012 season and performed well in 2012 season of world superbike championship.
Dani Linfoot and Florian Marino put up some brilliant performances with a points finish by Marino in the very first race and a brilliant podium finish for Linfoot in the last race of the season at Magny Cours, France. Now,The team has been rechristened Mahi Racing Team India and their Kawasaki ZX-6R bike will sport a new logo and livery for the upcoming season. Dhoni has unveiled the new logo recently in an event in Mumbai.
Mahi Racing has signed up two new riders, one of those are three-time world champion Kenan Sofouglu and the second is former champion Fabien Foret, who finished the 2012 season in fourth place. The two new riders will join existing members Dan Linfoot and Florian Marino. Signed as the factory team for Kawasaki, Mahi Racing Team riders will be testing the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R during the official winter testing season. The Team is now focusing on the 2013 title with these two new world champion riders.
“We plan to open a riding school in India. We have taken a small step and in course of time I want to see an Indian driver on our bikes,” said Dhoni at the launch event here. “Earlier in India, bikes were used for commuting only but in last ten years the engine capacity of bikes in the market have risen from 100cc to 220-250cc, so there is demand for speedy bikes. I was fascinated by the sport and it feels great to be associated with it. But in addition to speed we will also stress on safe driving and following the traffic rules,” he added.
“We were targeting mid-table finishes to form a base for the next season (2013). But the team put up a sterling performance and created history by pulling off a podium finish after just five rounds. Our rider Dan Linfoot finished a remarkable third in Magny Cours, France. Our crew did an outstanding job by setting up the team in such a short time,” said Arun Pandey, Chairman and Managing Director of the Mahi Racing Team. Mahi Racing team will also be participating in India with FIM World Superbike Championship debuting at the Buddh International Circuit in March. We are hoping high from Mahi Racing team as they are certainly come as a strong contender for 2013 World Superbike Championship. Good Luck Folks.
