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Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Petronas have mutually agreed to end their partnership as title sponsor of Petronas Sepang Racing Team (SRT).

The official announcement came after an initial report by motorsport.com that Petronas is seeking to withdraw its sponsorship from SRT on Friday.

The Malaysian giant oil company has been the title partner to SIC since 2018, with Petronas Sprinta Racing in Moto2 and Moto3 before the project was expanded to MotoGP with SRT.

“SIC wishes to thank Petronas for the unwavering support during the partnership and a remarkable journey together.

“We respect Petronas decision and mutually agreed that this partnership had accomplished its purpose and objectives. We have enjoyed a meaningful partnership with great achievements and memorable moments with the team.

“I believe this is not the end of our collaboration in motorsports as we continue our quest in nurturing Malaysia’s motorsports talents,” said Azhan Shafriman Hanif, Chief Executive Officer of SIC.

Meanwhile, Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, Petronas Head of Strategic Communications, lamented that it was the right time to conclude the partnership.

“We entered into this partnership with SIC to showcase our R&D capabilities, and we are proud that PETRONAS Fluid Technology Solutions have been instrumental towards establishing the team’s status as a championship contender.

“Together, we have created some standout moments in the sport, serving as an indication that we have achieved what we set out to do, and we feel it is the right time for us to conclude the partnership.

“On behalf of PETRONAS, we would like to express our gratitude to SIC for their commitment towards ensuring the success of the partnership,” she explained.

Meanwhile, SIC suggests that SRT will continue in MotoGP from 2022 under a new independent entity, with an official announcement to be made soon, including the dissolution of Moto2 and Moto3.

The race organizers of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) has decided to end the motorcycle racing category two years after the tragic death of Carlin Dunne.

The official confirmation came after completing a two-year review on the prospect of bringing motorcycle racing back to Pikes Peak.

While Fred Veitch, Interim Chairman of the PPIHC, admitted the decision was difficult, it was the right one to make.

“Motorcycle competition has been part of the history of the race off-and-on since 1916 and has been both thrilling and tragic for competitors and fans alike.

“This has been a long process and a difficult decision, but we believe it is the right decision and one that is in the best interest of the organization at this time,” he said.

There are a number of factors that lead to such a decision, the first being the increase of riders fatalities and the types of bikes involved in the competition.

During the early years, riders race to the top with dirt bikes, but everything changes when the road was paved all the way to the top.

This resulted in riders opted for powerful road bikes, which drastically increased the speed and a higher chance of accidents.

Dunne was involved in an accident while riding the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Prototype on his way to the finish line.

(Source: PPIHC)

Husqvarna has unveiled their first-ever adventure motorcycle, the 901 Norden, ahead of the official.

The 901 Norden is the Swedish firm first attempt into the competitive mid-range adventure motorcycle market.

According to reports, the all-new motorcycle is currently in its final stage and is build based on 889cc parallel-twin engine taken from the KTM 890 Adventure.

However, the 901 Norden offers a different architecture thanks to its Kiska, the same company responsible for designing the Vitpilen dan Svartpilen motorcycle.

Interestingly, the 901 Norden delivers the same design aspect of the concept model shown at the 2019 EICMA in Milan.

You can catch all the latest videos of the 901 Norden on Husqvarna official YouTube channel.

While it might not show you the whole picture, but it definitely can get you feeling excited about the new adventure bike.

Malaysian oil giant Petronas reportedly decided to pull the plug as title sponsor for Sepang Racing Team (SRT) in MotoGP starting next season.

According to motorsport.com, SRT will also set to abandon its Moto2 and Moto3 project in an effort to protect the MotoGP team.

Moreover, it is understood that Yamaha has renegotiated its current deal with SRT, whereby two ‘B-spec’ M1 will be provided for the 2022 season instead of one factory-spec and one A-spec the team is running on at the moment.

SRT is still in a dilemma ever since Maverick Vinales decided to quit the factory Yamaha team at the end of the season, while Franco Morbidelli is expected to make the jump to the factory team as a replacement.

Meanwhile, veteran rider and 9th world champion, Valentino Rossi, is set to retire at the end of the season, leaving team principal Datuk Razlan Razali the pressure to look for two new riders for the 2022 season.

Raul Fernandez from KTM Ajo was earlier seen as a top candidate before Team Orange decided to promote him to Tech3 MotoGP.

Rossi protege Marco Bezzechi was next in line to join SRT, but the latest development suggests he will now move up to the premier class with VR46 Ducati alongside Luca Marini.

(Source: Motorsport.com)

Yamaha has decided to benched Maverick Vinales ahead of the Austrian GP happening this weekend.

According to Yamaha’s official statement, the decision was taken after an in-depth analysis of the M1 used by Maverick last weekend.

The data reveal that the Spaniards may have caused engine damage, putting his life and others at risk.

“Yamaha regrets to announce that Maverick Viñales’ entry to this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP event has been withdrawn by the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team.

“The absence follows the suspension of the rider by Yamaha due to the unexplained irregular operation of the motorcycle by the rider during last weekend’s Styria MotoGP race.

“Yamaha’s decision follows an in-depth analysis of telemetry and data over the last days.

“Yamaha’s conclusion is that the rider’s actions could have potentially caused significant damage to the engine of his YZR-M1 bike which could have caused serious risks to the rider himself and possibly posed a danger to all other riders in the MotoGP race,” explained Yamaha in a statement.

Despite the stern action, the team has decided not to replace Vinales at the Austrian GP with Fabio Quartararo set to be the only representative from the factory team.

Moreover, Yamaha hinted that the 26-year-old might also miss out on the rest of the season.

“Decisions regarding the future races will be taken after a more detailed analysis of the situation and further discussions between Yamaha and the rider.”

KTM has unveiled the 2022 Six Days Special Edition of 2021 500 EXC-F just in time as Team Orange get ready to compete at the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE).

ISDE will return on August 30, after organizers had cancelled the 95th edition last year due to Covid-19.

While the standard 500 EXC-F is in its own right a complete enduro machine, the 2022 500 EXC-F Six Days Special Edition is nothing less than a celebration of the brand decades of success at the ISDE.

The Six Days Special Edition honours the ISDE with a distinct colour scheme and race-focused components.

The limited-run motorcycle offers a firmer chassis and a sportier WP fork and rear shock settings than the standard 500 EXC-F.

Other upgraded features include:

  • Exclusive SIX DAYS graphics
  • Rims with SIX DAYS logo
  • Skid plate
  • Front axle puller
  • Handlebar with SIX DAYS logo
  • Solid rear brake disc
  • Brake pedal safety wire
  • Floating front brake disc
  • Orange frame
  • Orange-anodized CNC-milled triple clamp
  • Exhaust with SIX DAYS logo
  • Orange chain guide
  • SIX DAYS seat

Price is yet to be announced; however, we assume it will be a couple of thousand more than the base model USD11,799 price tag.

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