Locatelli, Rinaldi to represent Mahindra Racing in Italy

IMOLA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 24: Michael Ruben Rinaldi of Italy receives the premium from Chantal (mather of Gregorio) during the press conference “SBK Fun & Safe – Corri in pista e non in strada” in Paddock Show before the qualifying practice of Superbike World Championship Round Eleven at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on September 24, 2011 in Imola, Italy.

Mumbai - Mahindra Racing Wednesday announced the signing of 16-year-old Andrea Locatelli and 17-year-old Michael Rinaldi as the team’s new riders for the 2013 season of the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV) scheduled to begin in Mugello April 6.

The riders will represent Mahindra Racing, the only Indian factory team to compete in international motorcycle Grand Prix racing, in the Moto3 (250cc, 4 stroke) class of the championship.

Mahindra Racing became the first team from India to win an international motorsport championship in Europe when they won the Constructors’ Title in the 125GP class of CIV in their debut year – 2012. The team recorded six victories from eight races, with three spectacular double podium finishes.

The CIV is held on Italian race tracks and the event is organised by Federazione Motociclistica Italiana (FMI).

This follows the team’s recent announcement of the pairing of Spaniard Efren Vazquez and Portuguese teenager Miguel Oliveira for the 2013 Moto3 World Championship which begins April 7 in Qatar.

Speaking about his plans for the future, rider Locatelli said, “I am thrilled to have joined a committed Indian team like Mahindra Racing for the CIV Season 2013. I have been following their development in the past and I am impressed by the progress they have made in such a short span of time.”

“Mahindra Racing enjoys considerable support from the motorsports community in India and I look forward to working along with Locatelli and doing really well for the team in the coming months. Though the championship is highly competitive, we are confident of a strong performance on a good machine”, added teammate Rinaldi.