From Motogp.com
Taking the opportunity of MotoGP´s visit to China for round four of the 2008 season to announce their ambitious plans for next season, the Maxtra Racing Project hosted a packed press conference at the Shanghai International circuit on Friday, with MotoGP Legend John Surtees in attendance as team patron for the newly formed structure.
The team intend to commence racing in the 125cc category in 2009 using Haojue machinery produced the Grand River Group (GRG), who have links with Suzuki and who sold 2.7 million motorcycles last year.
Haojue aim to expand from China into the world market and their new Maxtra structure, headed by former World Champion Surtees and directed by highly respected former Suzuki factory general manager Garry Taylor, is intended to give them global exposure via Grand Prix racing.
Englishman Taylor stated, `We were looking for a company in China that wanted to promote itself internationally through racing, and we want to take advantage of the short-circuit we can offer with shared technology,´ before adding that 2009 will be regarded as a learning year for the new team.
Alongside Surtees and Taylor, engine designer Jan Witteveen is also part of the new project bringing a wealth of experience with him, having spent many World Championship-winning years with Aprilia.
Taking the opportunity of MotoGP´s visit to China for round four of the 2008 season to announce their ambitious plans for next season, the Maxtra Racing Project hosted a packed press conference at the Shanghai International circuit on Friday, with MotoGP Legend John Surtees in attendance as team patron for the newly formed structure.
The team intend to commence racing in the 125cc category in 2009 using Haojue machinery produced the Grand River Group (GRG), who have links with Suzuki and who sold 2.7 million motorcycles last year.
Haojue aim to expand from China into the world market and their new Maxtra structure, headed by former World Champion Surtees and directed by highly respected former Suzuki factory general manager Garry Taylor, is intended to give them global exposure via Grand Prix racing.
Englishman Taylor stated, `We were looking for a company in China that wanted to promote itself internationally through racing, and we want to take advantage of the short-circuit we can offer with shared technology,´ before adding that 2009 will be regarded as a learning year for the new team.
Alongside Surtees and Taylor, engine designer Jan Witteveen is also part of the new project bringing a wealth of experience with him, having spent many World Championship-winning years with Aprilia.