Mahindra Racing primed for most successful Moto3 season yet

When the light turns green for the first race of the 2014 Moto3 season in Qatar later today, there will be as many as eight Mahindra Racing powered bikes on the starting grid. The six customer bikes they are supplying – two each for Ambrogio Racing, CIP Moto3 and San Carlo Team Italia – means Mahindra will have the second highest number of bikes on the grid after KTM (19 bikes). Just four years into its bike-racing life, that is a big step up for Mahindra, whose first racing package’ in the Moto3 category in 2012 was “not really competitive”, according to the ceo Mufaddal Choonia. “I think it is fair to say we learned more about what not to do than what to do,” Choonia said. [caption id=“attachment_1446539” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Miguel Oliveira, no 44, from last season. AFP[/caption] The team made the choice to switch to a new technology partner in Suter Racing Technology and in 2013 posted their first podium finish when 18-year-old Miguel Oliveira finished third in Malaysia. It was a big moment for the Indian team, and reinforced their belief that they belong on this stage. The true test of a constructor is whether customers and private teams are willing to invest in your team and back your development program. This is the ultimate ratification of our current development program.” Oliveira, who Choonia calls one of the best riders in the world, is back for the second year of his two-year contract and has been joined by another teenager in Arthur Sissis, who is making his Moto3 debut. Choonia is confident this pair can deliver even better results than last season, though he felt there would be a necessary learning phase for Sissis. “He will need a bit of time to find his perfect riding style with this bike,” Choonia said. On his part, Sissis said he was over the initial “culture shock” of moving to a new bike and couldn’t wait to get going in Qatar. “It’s a great, fast circuit and it has some unusual challenges. And, of course, I’m used to riding at night because I raced speedway, so I find it quite enjoyable.” Boosted by his first podium finish and overall sixth place last year, Oliveira believes the team is justified in feeling optimistic about the new season. “We’ve had some promising tests .. I am very motivated and excited to get started in Qatar.” Moto3 is the 250cc category of the MotoGP bike racing series and comprises of 18 races, most of which are in Europe. While it doesn’t attract the same amount of attention in India as Formula One, the team is not short of followers, according to Choonia. “We have been humbled by the response and love and affection we have got from the fans in India and abroad. Our Facebook page has over 1.3 million likes (it currently has 1.48 million likes), which is third highest of any racing team in the world, ” he said. The team would love to have an Indian rider suit up for them, but that is unlikely to happen in the near future. “We don’t see that kind of talent emerging from India that can take on the best of the world – a talent like Miguel – who can fight for podium positions.,“ Choonia said. Choonia would naturally like to win as many races as he can this year - “Who would not, he says - but you get the feeling even a single race win would be another milestone for this young Mahindra Racing team that is already showing it belongs in what he calls the “Olympics of motorcycle racing.” “It is something the whole country should be proud of.”