After shaking up the Supersport FIM World Championship this season with a podium finish, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Superbike Championship Team, today unveiled its new name, new look and new riders. In what can be termed as one of the most significant developments in the history of the sport in India, it announced the signing up of 3-time world champion Kenan Sofouglu and fourth placed Fabien Foret. The name of the team has been changed from MSD R-N Racing Team India to Mahi Racing Team India. The logo of the team also underwent a facelift, to give it a trendier, more youthful, vibrant look, and to reflect the growing stature of the team.
The new look was unveiled in Mumbai by the Indian Cricket Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni at a glittering function attended by the cream of the cricket, social, corporate, film and glam world. During the event the superbikes were unveiled and put on display for the first time in India. The riders and the team were also introduced to the guests during the course of the event.
Debuting in the 600 cc class as India’s first FIM World Superbike Championship Team, Mahi Racing Team had entered mid-way into the season in June 2012. “We were targeting mid-table finishes to form a base for the next year. 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 at Magny Cours, France. Our crew did an outstanding job by setting up the team within such a short time,” said Mr. Arun Pandey, Chairman and Managing Director of the team.
Bolstered by the performance of the team in the just concluded season, and the signing up of champion riders, Mahi Racing will be aiming for the championship when they compete in their first full season at the 2013 World Superbike Championship in the Supersport category.
With the Buddh International Circuit debuting on the FIM Superbike World Championship calendar in March 2013, backed by a superlative performance of the Indian team, the popularity of motorsport in Asia is expected to rise.
The new season also will mark the occasion of Mahi Racing Team becoming the Factory Team of Kawasaki. The riders will be testing the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R during the official winter testing season. With the new sign-ins, the Mahi Racing Team riders will comprise of Kenan Sofouglu, Fabien Foret, Dan Linfoot and Fabian Marino.
“A very exciting season lies ahead of us. 2013 will be a landmark year in the history of Indian motorsport. We expect this season to trigger a shift in the popularity of the sport towards India,” concluded Mr. Pandey
Spotted: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sakshi Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Tabu, Nagarjuna, Amala
