Mahindra in the Thick of Ultra-Close Grid : German Grand Prix – Qualifying

July 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Sachsenring - 16 July, 2011: The Mahindra pair, Marcel Schrötter and Danny Webb, will start tomorrow’s German GP in line astern – from the fifth and sixth rows of the grid. Both riders know they have a hard job. The bike is fast enough for a top-ten finish, but they will each need to make a blazing start to capitalise on it.

Times for the 36-strong grid were very close, with tenths of a second making all the difference. Danny was one tenth slower than Marcel, but three places lower on the grid; while Marcel was less than a second off second position. Pole qualifier, Spanish rider Maverick Vinales, managed to get a break of three tenths up front.

“The bike is going better than ever, and both riders are definitely capable of a top-ten result,” said team manager, Nicola Casadei. “But they both need to get off the line really well, or they will be among a big crowd.”

The Indian-owned Mahindra – the only bike on the grid where the team makes both engine and chassis – has developed steadily through the marque’s first season in GP racing. The latest improvement is a new exhaust, which improves the spread of power. The bike already recorded good top speed figures; now acceleration has also been improved.

In a show of solidarity with the victims of the tragic bomb blasts which took place in Mumbai, India on July 13, both Marcel and Danny sported black armbands during the race, along with the rest of team Mahindra Racing.

The German GP is at the Sachsenring circuit outside Chemnitz, combining a very tight and twisty start with a series of fast corners at the end of the 3.671-km track. Huge crowds fill the grandstands at what is a traditional venue for bike racing, but at a modern circuit.

It is the ninth of 17 rounds in the 125cc World Championship.

MARCEL SCHROTTER – 13th position, 1’28.721

I expected the qualifying to be easier after placing sixth yesterday and going well also this morning. But it was very difficult, perhaps because of the higher temperature. I had no rear grip, and I was sliding a lot. I tried two more rear tyres, but it didn’t help, and it was very hard to get the lap time. We need to study the data and find more rear grip, then I know we can have a good race.

DANNY WEBB – 16th position, 1’28.822

I set the time quite early, no problem ... then we changed something that didn’t work, and when we changed the bike back I couldn’t go any faster. I was pushing really hard. The bike is going well though, and I know if I get a good start we can go with the top ten. My shoulder is aching now, but it’s okay on the bike ... I knew I wasn’t going to get away with no pain two weeks after fracturing it.

Visit www.mahindraracing.com for further information.

About The Mahindra Group

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.

A US $12.5 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 119,900 people in over 100 countries.

In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.

Its flagship company Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is the only Indian automobile manufacturer to feature in the top 10 list of the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index in India - 2010, created by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com

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Mahindra enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, tractors and information technology, with a significant and growing presence in financial services, tourism, infrastructure development, trade and logistics.