Zoom Michael Ranseder

It's been a busy year for those involved in the all-new Maxtra project.

They had to start from scratch, appointing all the necessary staff - from the engineers to the mechanics – while building a brand new machine.

All of this was done under the guidance of the experienced Garry Taylor. The former Suzuki MotoGP Team Manager reflects on these crucial months…

“Well, it's the end of the calendar year, but there's still a little way to go before we reach the end of the first stage of the Maxtra project. Our whole initial programme is focused on getting prepared for the first race of the 2009 season.”

“I feel we're on target at the moment. Step by step the racing team has been coming together, along with the motorcycle. The two test days at Valencia in November were a big landmark.”
“We had almost the whole 2009 team together for the first time - the Chinese factory engineers and race department head Simon Wei, the pit staff, and our first new rider. Engine and chassis designers Jan Witteveen and Harris Performance were also at the track, as well as team patron John Surtees.”

Austrian rider Michael Ranseder was on the saddle, in Valencia, joining forces with the experienced race engineer Trevor Morris. This test went quite well even if there is still a long way to go for the Maxtra 125 to be competitive.

“As we knew, there is still lots to do with the engine and chassis. That's quite normal with an all-new machine in the early stages of development. The 125 class is the most competitive of them all in MotoGP, and we're facing the best bikes and riders in the world. I'm certainly not going to make any foolhardy predictions”, Taylor continued.

“Time is always the enemy in racing, in every sense. Looking back, we've pulled everything together. I must say that all the groundwork was a lot harder and more time consuming than I could have imagined, with a lot of frustration. You just have to be patient.”

“Looking back, and looking ahead, we've made a lot of progress and we're still going forward. The target is simple, to be as best prepared as possible for the first race in Qatar in April next year”, he concluded.

Maxtra are yet to reveal their second rider, even though Matthew Hoyle was listed as their second rider in the provisional entry list published by the FIM a few days ago.

© CAPSIS International