It only took the Mahindra Racing team two races to score its first points in the MotoGP. Mahindra is the first motorcycle manufacturing company from India to compete in the MotoGP, and they are already having success.
German rider Marcel Schrötter made it an historic day for the Mahindra Racing team by scoring 13th in the 125cc class in Jerez. Schrotter worked his way up from 23rd on the wet Spanish circuit, and was able to give Mahindra their first 3 world championship points.
"The beginning was not so easy," Schrotter said. "I started okay, but in the first two corners I was pushed out onto the wetter part of the track. It was dangerous, and I lost some positions. In the first two or three laps I couldn't find my rhythm, and I lost almost five seconds on the group ahead.
"Then it came better: I found a good rhythm and a good feeling with the bike, and I was able to make some positions again. I knew I was faster than the others, so the finish was not so bad. I need to work on my speed in the early laps."
Danny Webber, the other Mahindra Racing rider, had a fantastic start to the Jerez race, but lost control of his bike on the 10th lap. Webber was cosing in on a top ten finish when he crashed.
"I am very happy that we achieved our first points on a fantastic weekend for India with our country winning the cricket World Cup," said team manager Mufaddal Choonia. "We are pleased to take three points, but our target is much higher.
"Marcel was going very well at the end of the race – as fast as the top five riders. I am very disappointed for Danny. He was 11th when he crashed, but with the way the race went he could have been sixth or seventh if not for that. We have shown the promise of Indian engineering on a worldwide stage and I hope we go on to enjoy as much success as our national cricket team in the future."
