MAHINDRA CLAIMS FIRST MOTO3 FRONT ROW RACE START

Le Mans, France, May 18, 2013: Mahindra rider Miguel Oliveira qualified second fastest for tomorrow’s French Grand Prix at Le Mans – the best yet for the all–new Mahindra MGP3O motorcycle, and another step forward in an encouraging first season for the bike. It is the first front–row start in the Moto3™ class for the only Indian manufacturer in motorcycle grand prix racing.

This is the fourth of 17 rounds of the World Championship, and one or both Mahindras have been in the top–ten at the first three rounds. Oliveira’s strong qualifying and front–row start have boosted the team’s hopes of taking another step forward in terms of results for this season.

Second rider Efrén Vázquez will not start the race, after fracturing his collar–bone in a crash yesterday. He is due to undergo surgery in Barcelona tomorrow morning, and hopes to be back for the Italian Grand Prix in a fortnight.

MIGUEL OLIVEIRA – Second position, 1’43.806
“I was having trouble with the front feel and turning, so we changed the steering and fork settings for today, and it was in a good direction. In the end I was able to do a great lap for qualifying. I’m really happy with the front row. It means that tomorrow I don’t have to recover positions. I can concentrate on the fast group from the start.”

MUFADDAL CHOONIA – Mahindra Racing CEO
“It’s been a fantastic session for Miguel. We always knew he had the potential for the front row, so the qualifying results in the last couple of races have been disappointing when he was in the centre of the pack, spoiling his race chances. Now he is up with all our rivals from the start. I’m very happy; now we’re crossing fingers and toes for the race tomorrow.”