INDIA in F1

Tag: World SBK

  • Honda Motor Europe appoints Chris Pike as new WorldSBK Operations Manager

    Honda Motor Europe appoints Chris Pike as new WorldSBK Operations Manager

    Chris Pike, Operations Head, Hond Motor Europe from 15feb2018 World SBK. HondaImage

    Honda Motor Europe has appointed Chris Pike as its new Operations Manager for the FIM World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK). Pike inherits the position vacated by Marco Chini last month and will manage Honda’s operational and technical support in the WorldSBK paddock, including the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team and Triple M Racing Honda World Superbike Team squads.

    Pike brings to the role a wealth of technical experience in racing, having worked within the Honda family across a unique blend of championships including WorldSBK, MotoGP, Endurance World Championship and British Superbike. Pike’s time in WorldSBK dates back to the very first race at Donington in 1988 and he was part of Honda’s world championship winning campaigns in 1997, 2000 and 2002. More recently he worked with Honda as a crew chief in WorldSBK from 2012 to 2014 before making the move to MotoGP.

    Pike starts his new role with immediate effect ahead of the first round of the 2018 WorldSBK season opener at Phillip Island, Australia from February 23-25.

    Chris Pike – WorldSBK Operations Manager, Honda Motor Europe felt: “I am very happy to be stepping up to the role of Honda Motor Europe’s Operations Manager in World Superbike; a championship that holds many good memories for me. Although it is a return to a championship I know very well, this a fresh, new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to applying all that I’ve learned over the years to help Honda be a force in this very competitive series.”

    Robert Watherston, Head of Motorsport, Honda Motor Europe said: “Chris has been a part of the Honda Racing family for over twenty years and his vast and varied experience will be a real asset to our World Superbike operation. With Honda now having three CBR1000RR machines on the grid, expert oversight from both a technical and operational perspective is critical. In Chris, I believe we have the ideal candidate to move this project forward strongly and help us achieve our goals.”

    eom/Honda Racing press release

     

  • Circuit de Magny-Cours extends contract, to host WorldSBK until 2022

    Circuit de Magny-Cours extends contract, to host WorldSBK until 2022

    A file photo of SBK race by Dorna.
    Magny-Cours, 8 Feb 2018: Circuit de Magny-Cours and Dorna WSBK Organization are thrilled to announce a contract extension, which will see the French Circuit host the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship until 2022 following a press conference attended by Mr Saulnier (Chairman of the Board), Daniel Carrera (WorldSBK Executive Director), Marc Saurina (WorldSBK Commercial & Marketing Director) and Loris Baz (Gulf Althea BMW Racing Team).

    History was made at the ever-popular French Round in 2017, the stunning weekend saw Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) crowned WorldSBK champion for the third time in succession, becoming the first rider to ever reach this feat.

    Providing fantastic racing, the Circuit of Magny-Cours has been home to the French round since 2003, with world-class facilities and welcoming racing passion not only from the French but from an international fanbase. The Circuit de Magny-Cours will continue to host WorldSBK racing action until 2022, which will come as a delight to many.
    Chairman of the Board of Magny-Cours Circuit, Serge Saulnier emphasizes “To secure the presence of WorldSBK over the next 5 years at Magny-Cours, is a mark of mutual trust towards the future of this discipline.”

    WorldSBK Executive Director Daniel Carrera explains: “Continuing to visit the French circuit of Magny-Cours was an easy decision to make, and one which will welcome stunning racing action for seasons to come. Hosting a world class event with fantastic facilities, passionate fans, and hard-working staff, we look forward to returning to France for the next five seasons.”