New Delhi: The Mahindra team has been hard at work in the break before this weekend’s start to the European season, seeking improved performance from their 250cc single-cylinder engine to take riders Danny Webb and Marcel Schrötter into the points in the all-new Moto3 class.
The new-generation four-strokes, built to strict technical limits and under cost-cutting rules, have replaced the traditional 125 class. A thriving entry list and competitive racing proved the value of the new formula at the first of 17 rounds, at Qatar three weeks ago.
The majority of entrants use over-the-counter production racers from established racing manufacturers. Indian racing newcomers Mahindra took a more adventurous and more technically valuable route: with an independently made chassis and engine.
It is a harder road. Compared with these proprietary brands, the white-and-red Mahindra MGP30 is in its infancy. Performance at Qatar was promising for a bike only a few months old. Teething troubles of testing were forgotten, and though Schrötter succumbed to a rogue gearbox gremlin, Webb had a solid ride from 25th on the grid to 18th, just three places out of the points.
Engine development is restricted by regulations allowing only eight engines per rider for the year; but Mahindra Racing team’s chief mechanic Roberto Baglioni has been working with the existing units to maximise their potential and give the riders’ more acceleration, while awaiting further factory development with future engines.
Jerez starts the European campaign, drawing massive crowds to the Andalusian circuit for the Spanish GP, first of four rounds in the MotoGP loving country. The 2.748 miles (4.423 km) is highly technical, putting the emphasis on riding skill and good handling as much as sheer horsepower. One week later the Grand Prix circus reassembles over the border at Estoril, for the Portuguese GP.
Danny Webb said, “We’ve got the reliability now – the bike didn’t let me down even once at Qatar, and the chassis is really good. If I’d have got a better start I’d have been in the points for sure. The rules mean we’ll have to wait a couple of races for engine upgrades, but I know the team has been working hard. I’m looking forward to the race and a good result, and then pushing up the order in races to come.”
Marcel Schrötter said, “We made a lot of progress at Qatar and I had got into the group that went for top-ten positions at the end when I had a gear-change problem and had to retire. It was better than I’d expected because we made a step in warm-up before the race. I’m looking forward to Jerez, for a chance to try again.”
Mahindra’s international racing commitments will extend to Italy again this weekend when Italian rider Riccardo Moretti and his Indian team-mate Sarath Kumar do battle in the competitive CIV 125cc class at Monza. Reaping the rewards of Mahindra’s extensive development work during last year’s final season of two-stroke 125cc racing in MotoGP, Moretti is aiming to extend his perfect run of two wins out of two in the Italian domestic series to make a hat-trick for the Indian team.
