MS Dhoni's Superbike Team unveils new identity

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's World Superstock team changes name from MSD R-N Racing Team India to Mahi Racing Team India and announces new riders for the 2013 season

 

After ending the 2012 season of the World Superbike Championship in the Supersport category on a high note, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Superbike Championship Team unveiled a new identity and announced two new riders in its line-up today. 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. The Indian cricket team skipper took the wraps off the bike at an event in Mumbai.  

 Mahi Racing has signed up three-time world champion Kenan Sofouglu and 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. With the new rider line-up, the Indian team will aim for the 2013 championship title. 

 

The team marked its entry in the world of superbike racing mid-way through the 2012 season. 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. 

“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, which will compete in all the races in the 2013 season, will also be seen in India with FIM World Superbike Championship debuting on the Buddh International Circuit in March. A lot of hopes and dreams are riding on the team with Mahindra Racing – India’s other big motorcycle racing team – already making waves in the world of racing by winning the Constructors Title in the 125GP class at the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV) in Italy.

Team MSD R-N Racing entered mid way in the championship but went on to showcase some strong performances in the 600cc class and even grabbed a podium finish. Under the new brand name, Mahi Racing team India, as the team will now be called, the team has gone some changes in riders and their targets.

The team has signed three-time and reigning world Supersport champion Kenan Sofouglu and Fabien Foret who finished fourth in the championship. Apart from these two main riders, Mahi racing has also signed Dan Linfoot and Fabian Marino. To give you some background on Foret, he has won the title in 2002 and also has 24 podium finishes to his credit. The Mahi Racing Team has got a new logo too and the biggest support to the team currently is that it will be the factory team of Kawasaki and so they can expect maximum support in terms of technology.

Arun Pandey, chairman and managing director of Mahi Racing said,” 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.” The riders will be using the Kawasaki ZX-6R for the racing and will be testing during the official winter testing season. Next year, WSBK is coming to India, and definitely Dhoni’s team will see a good fan following.