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It’s Official! Liberty Media Acquires MotoGP by Year-End

It is official. Liberty Media is set to acquire MotoGP by year-end 2024 from Dorna.

As we reported earlier, Liberty Media who currently owns Formula 1 (F1) will pay €4.2 billion (RM21.34 billion) for the acquisition. However, the deal is not a complete takeover but rather only 86% of Dorna, while the balance 14% remains with Dorna.

Dorna Sport S.L. currently holds the television rights to the premier MotoGP championship as well as the World Superbike Championship (WSBK). They are also involved in the managment and marketing of several other motorcycle championships including the Spanish Road Racing Championship (CEV), British Superbike Championship (BSB), the Trials World Championships (Indoor and Outdoor).

This stunning development will unit the world’s premier two-wheel motorsport series with the world’s best four-wheel series.

There is no shake up in Dorna’s management at this moment as it was announced that Dorna will remain as an independently operated company. As such, Carmelo Ezpeleta will remain the Dorna CEO, and his his team will continue to run the business from Madrid, Spain. Apart from that, Dorna will be part of Liberty Media’s Formula One Group tracking stock.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO. “MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile. Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience.

The deal will be completed by the end of 2024 and is subject to the receipt of clearances and approvals by competition and foreign investment law authorities in various jurisdictions. This is why Liberty Media did not acquire 100% of Dorna’s interest in MotoGP, so as to not send up a red flag for anti-competition regulators.

Of course, the news has attracted no shortage of comments from netizens, albeit the majority being negative. The most obvious theme is the fear of MotoGP turning into another F1 circus. However, let us be reminded that F1 had grown by leaps and bounds since Liberty Media acquired it from CVC Capital Partners in 2017.

With all being said, let us see what Liberty Media has in store for MotoGP for next season.

BMW may Join MotoGP in 2027

BMW may join MotoGP in 2027, admitted the new head of BMW Motorrad, Markus Flasch.

They are the only major European manufacturer who are missing from the MotoGP field and there have been never-ending questions about their absence. However, the news coincides with Dorna’s proposed sweeping changes across the series, including returning the maximum engine capacity to 800cc. There have rumours to state as far as BMW and Dorna’s discussions have already resulted in a agreed deal.

Flasch, in an interview with Motorrad made it clear that he is an “absolute advocate of motorsport.” It bodes well for someone who was the head of the M Sport division before joining the motorcycle department in November last year. He says he also sees BMW’s future involvement in racing other than WSBK, FIM World Endurance, and German IDM series.

He added, “It has to make sense for us, that’s clear, and that’s why we are taking a detailed look at it.

“I would not rule it out.”

In fact, Dorna is keeping two grid spots open for an additional factory entry after Suzuki pulled out, to the consternation of KTM who had wanted that spot for 2024.

BMW has also already assembled a strong team in developing their two-wheeled racing programs. Former EWC and WSBK champion (and former Suzuki MotoGP test rider) Sylvain Guintoli heads the EWC team and WSBK development programme. While MotoGP podium finisher Bradley Smith is contracted as the other test rider.

2021 WSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu as BMW’s factory rider has yielded immediate top results too, scoring two wins and two podiums from six races (including Superpole) in two rounds thus far.

Could this finally be the news BMW fans have been waiting for? Watch this space!

Motorcyclist Killed after Ramming Car in Emergency Lane, Driver Stopped to Call

A motorcyclist died after ramming into a car which stopped in the emergency lane at Kilometer 116.9, North-South Highway, near Batu Pahat. The car driver is said to have stopped to make a phone call.

Batu Pahat District Acting Chief of Police, Superintendent Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said, before the incident, the victim Mohammad Fared Zakaria, 35, was riding a motorcycle from the direction of Ayer Hitam towards Pagoh.

He said, upon arriving at the location, there was a car that stopped in the emergency lane because the driver wanted to answer a phone call.

The victim could not avoid the car and crashed into it. The crash resulted in the victim suffering severe head injuries and broke both arms.

The victim was taken to the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital in Muar but was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at 7.50pm. However, the driver of the car survived and was not injured, said Superintendent Shahrulanuar.

Shahrulanuar said the police are still investigating and the case is being investigated in accordance with Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

The police are also asking for the public’s cooperation to channel any information about this incident at any nearby police station or through the Johor Contingent Police Hotline at 07-2212999 or through the Batu Pahat IPD Police Hotline at 07-4343999.

Photo: PDRM

New EV Charging Station Target after Hari Raya

The government will review and submit a new target for the number of EV (electric vehicle) charging stations after Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The existing target is 10,000 stations operating by 2025.

Minister of Investments, Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the actual number will only be known through the meeting of the National EV Driving Committee (NEVSC) which is scheduled to take place after the festival.

However, he informed that he had already held preliminary discussions with industry activists and EV public charging station installation companies.

“God willing we will discuss (with NEVSC) after this Raya.

“Officially, the number so far is 2,020 units, but that the number is close to more than 2,100 units during the unofficial discussion,” he said.

He added that industry activists and public EV charging station installation companies expressed confidence that the target of 10,000 EV stations by 2025 could be realised.

“As announced before, the target is 10,000 (EV charging stations) by the end of 2025, so we have to plan carefully.

“If we can’t reach that 10,000, we have to make a more realistic target, but it seems that through my discussion with the charging station installers, they are still confident because they can see the high demand, so they are a little braver to build the charging station.

“I’m trying to make sure we can reach that target,” he said.

On March 20, Tengku Zafrul was reported to have said that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) will re-examine the target of 10,000 EV charging stations by 2025 through the NEVSC meeting.

The target is guided by the Low Carbon Mobility Development Plan 2021-2030.

Felo TOOZ from Thailand – 720km Range, 202km/h

The Felo TOOZ has something which every electric motorcycle needs: Range. That is not a problem as the manufacturer claims a 720km range per charge.

Launched by Thai company, Smartech, all that battery needs space thus making for one of largest motorcycles on the road, nevermind the Honda Gold Wing “vibes.” It is still capable of hitting a top speed of 202 km/h, though.

Apart from the range, the Felo TOOZ has several high-end features including a 12-inch TFT instrument panel that connects to your phone, and pushing audio through a 6-channel surround sound system. Other features are like a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ABS, traction control. Not groundbreaking features, but it does make the bike the most technologically advanced electric motorcycle, thus far.

The TOOZ also supports TYPE2 charging (from 20% to 80% in 20 minutes). The specs also mentioned an optional 8 liter cooling box that can be fitted to one of the panniers. The use of the word “optional” suggests that production is already planned.

You can charge your electrical devices from the TOOZ, but it also has V2L technology which means you can use the bike’s batteries to supply power to your home. That hints of a large battery capacity.

Smartech is one of the stars of Thailand’s electric vehicle sector, with its new electric motorcycle brands FELO and RAPID both starting with a clean sheet and the company well-funded and well-resourced with expertise.

Producing motorcycles in Thailand is seemingly a good idea, because most of the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturers already produce motorcycles there. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Triumph and Ducati all manufacture a portion of their global range in the Kingdom.

Our only gripe: Please design electric motorcycles better rather than something akin to being cobbled together in the driveway. A better designed bike can surely entice more potential buyers.

Two Malaysian Students Died in New Zealand Car Crash

Two Malaysian students died after being involved in a road accident around Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, yesterday. Three of their colleagues were injured in the same crash.

The Malaysian High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the tragedy.

“Two victims were reported to have died at the scene while the other three have been flown to Christchurch Hospital, South Islands, New Zealand for immediate treatment.

“The Malaysian High Commission in Wellington with the help of the Malaysian community in Christchurch, is extending appropriate consular assistance to the victims and family members to ensure that the welfare management of all victims runs smoothly.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Malaysian High Commission are ready to help if the next of kin decide to bring the body back to Malaysia.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also wishes to express its condolences to the family members of the victims involved in this incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said his party is waiting for the decision of the families of the two deceased victims to be brought back to Malaysia or otherwise.

“Our students in New Zealand who had accidents have all been taken care of, those who were injured and died have been taken to the hospital and their bodies will be taken care of.

“We are waiting for the family to come or even to ask for whatever help is needed. The High Commission of Malaysia is always ready to help,” he said.

There were also reports that there was another fatal accident involving 2 cars and a motorcycle on the same road, just 2 hours after the accident involving the Malaysian student. Altogether, these accidents caused 20 injuries and 3 deaths.

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