WTW Magazine drives you all the way to Italy, in the very heart of the motorcycle racing industry, where Mahindra Racing has established its new headquarter.
Mahindra Racing, the only Indian constructor in the MotoGP World Championship series, has taken a further step towards growth and development – both inside and beyond racing – with its recent move to a new headquarters in the north of Italy.
The new state-of-the-art engineering and development facility is at Varese, in the heart of the Lombardy region, and at the core of much of Italy’s long and glorious history in motorcycle racing and production.
According to Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, “This new centre in Italy joins Mahindra’s neural network of innovation along with other development centres in India, the US and South Korea. We decided to set up this centre in Italy given the country’s passion for, and expertise in motorcycle development. It also demonstrates our growing commitment to the MotoGP championship.”
The facility incorporates computer-aided design and engineering (CAD &CAE), as well as FMEA (Failure Modes Effect Analysis) studies. High-tech test and quality-control laboratories combine with cutting-edge prototyping manufacturing processes; and a well-equipped warehouse to ensure spare-parts availability for customers.
It is staffed by personnel drawn from some of the best motorcycle companies in Italy, with experience ranging from racing both on- and off-road, as well as production.
World Championship Series
Mahindra Racing entered the World Championship series in 2011, and has grown steadily in results and in importance to become one of the cornerstones of the highly competitive Moto3 class. Up against well-established racing constructors Honda and KTM, the Indian brand has gone from just two factory-backed riders to support nine riders in four teams in 2015; and from learner-racers to regular contenders for top podium positions.
The growth in 2015 went hand in glove with the move last September from a base in Switzerland to the new Varese facility, where the latest version of the jewel-like MGP3O was extensively redesigned and upgraded in line with the latest technical regulations for the smallest grand prix class.
“By locating in Varese, Mahindra is able to take advantage of a big talent pool of experience and excellence, with a special focus on motorcycles and a wonderful motorcycle racing history.
“Furthermore, the Lombardy region in the north of Italy is convenient for the rest of Europe, giving us access to a network of suppliers,” said Mahindra Racing CEO Mufaddal Choonia.
By taking development entirely into our own hands, we can make faster progress and have quicker reactions to our customers’ needs.
At the same time, we are developing technologies that can be transferred to our growing range of production two-wheelers. With engineering development anchored at Varese, it will help us to grow our overall business. Mahindra Two Wheelers also acquired 51% of Peugeot Motorcycles in January 2015.
Nine riders campaign the Mahindra MGP3O in the 2015 Moto3 championship, led by the three-strong Mapfre Team Mahindra: San Carlo Team Italia, Outox Reset Drink Team and the CIP team field two riders apiece.
Mahindra Racing MGP3O race bikes will be competing in the Moto3 class of the upcoming Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on October 16-18, 2015, in three weeks’ time.
For further information go to www.mahindraracing.com