Moto2 QMMF Grand Prix team 2011
Losail, Qatar, 25th Feb 2011– The Moto2 Grand Prix Racing Team of Qatar’s Motorcycle Federation QMMF, with QMMF-President Nasser Khalifa Al Attiya with team manager Luis Rodríguez Solano, concluded an extensive private pre-season test session with promising results.
In four days of technical preparation followed by eight days of riding on the famous Doha circuit, the new QMMF Racing Team and its riders Mishal Al-Naimi and Ricard Cardús thoroughly analysed the qualities of the world championship-winning Moriwaki Moto2 prototype, and feel ready now to face the next challenge with the official three-day testing session in Jerez on March 4th to 6th, where all Moto2-machines run the true competition engines for the first time this year.
Official three-day testing session in Jerez begins on March 4th to 6th, where all Moto2-machines will run the true competition engines for the first time this year.
“We put the new structure together in only three months, and when we arrived at Doha, we were just a group of people with individual skills. But in a very short time, we grew into a team, with a smooth workflow and the determination to succeed”, said Luis Solano.
“It is fantastic to have the full support of QMMF and the people of Qatar who have become very passionate about Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing. Their expectations are simple and straightforward: To build on the experience of Mishal’s first year in the Moto2 category and to perform stronger than before. Moriwaki’s Moto2 prototype has won many races and the title, and with the Moriwaki family backing us in every possible way, we have a great technical package. It’s our job now to get our young riders as close to the top as possible. At the same time, we have to be realistic: Last year, the top 20 of the Moto2 class were running within one second per lap on numerous occasions – the category is extremely hard-fought and there is so much talent that a race finish in 22nd or 23rd place would be something to be proud of!”
Qatari rider Mishal Al Naimi with his Moriwaki Moto2 prototype
Mishal Al Naimi
“It was a great opportunity to have such an extensive test session here in Qatar, because it takes time to fully understand a Moto2 prototype. Our new Moriwaki machine is quite different to the BQR that I used last year, not only because we now run an Öhlins suspension system and Brembo brakes, but also because of the chassis itself. With the Moriwaki, I didn’t have any chattering whatsoever, and my feeling for the front end is very, very good. The bike is also terrific under brakes and feels a lot more stable and precise. The only part that we are still struggling with is the rear suspension. We need to work on the settings for the rear shock, because I didn’t get a good feel for the rear end in some of the corners. This may also have had something to do with the standard tyres and the standard clutch that we ran in Qatar, and I am confident that we can improve on this particular problem at Jerez. All in all, it was a very good and promising start on Moriwaki and with my new team. It’s great to have the support from QMMF, and I feel we have come a long way since 2005 when our federation started from zero in Motorcycle Grand Prix racing. We now have a fantastic team, we also have a Wild Card rider for this year’s Qatar Grand Prix, and the way we are growing, I see a good chance that my ultimate dream of a MotoGP team in the colours of my country will one day come true! As far as this year goes, I hope to be able to do better than in 2010 which was a difficult season for me. I didn’t know the tracks, I also had some injuries, and I only managed to get one world championship point. This makes me cautious about my goals for the new year. I want to be able to fight for points wherever we go, and deep down, I hope to battle in the front group of riders rather than in the back of the field – especially at my season-opening home Grand Prix!
Ricard Cardús
“The test here at Qatar was only my second time on this bike and with this team, but I can already say that I have all and more that I could ever have wished for – I am surrounded by great people, the mood in the team is fantastic, and I am impressed with the attitude of the QMMF representatives that support us this season. They are very serious about turning this new adventure into success and they are giving us everything we need to do our job well. At the same time, they love to have fun and to have a good time together.
I am very happy about the opportunity to learn more about their culture, but it also was a fantastic experience to explore the dunes of a real desert and to play in the sand in our free time! On the track, things couldn’t have gone much better, either. I did lots of exercise in the winter months, in the gym as well as on the moto cross track, and I feel well prepared for the Moto 2 challenge – I am strong and I can string many laps together without getting tired.
The Moriwaki prototype feels and handles great, but it was much too early to compare lap times, because firstly, it was very windy and there was a lot of sand on the track, and secondly, we practised with the standard versions of engine, clutch, tyres and suspension system. Now it’s also time to gain experience on other tracks apart from Qatar, and I can’t wait to go out at Jerez, where we will run the real competition engine and all the other racing parts for the first time. My goal is to improve lots during this first Moto2 season and to establish myself as a permanent Grand Prix rider. I am lucky because I receive help from many sides – besides my own team members, Jorge Lorenzo is a good friend who will continue to give me advice when I need it!”
QMMF President Nasser Khalifa Al Attiya and the QMMF team
