Spanish outfit Aspar has unveiled its most international line-up yet at Sepang, with two former World Champions and new Malaysian energy drink DRIVE M7 on board as title sponsor
With the second test session of the MotoGP preseason due to kick off at Sepang, Malaysia, the DRIVE M7 Aspar Team took the opportunity to officially unveil its 2014 project at the home of its new title sponsor in a special ceremony. Pulling back the covers to reveal the new silver and fluorescent green colours that will adorn their Honda RCV-1000R machines in 2014 were the team's new riders, Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama.
With an American and Japanese rider, both of them World Champions, and a new title sponsorship agreement with Malaysian energy drink brand DRIVE M7, part of the Mutiara Motors Group, the DRIVE M7 Aspar Team is branching out further into the international market.
The deal between the team and its new sponsor is for three years, signifying a long-term vision that both parties are sure will prove to be a great success. The presentation, which got underway at around 4pm, was attended by the Malaysian Minister of Turism and Culture, Dato Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Tan Sri Abdul Aziz.
Jorge MartÌ_nez ‰Û÷Aspar‰Ûª was the first to take to the stage, introducing the DRIVE M7 Aspar Team's all-new rider line-up. Later, DRIVE M7 President Datuk Ahmad took over the microphone before handing it to Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Tan Sri Abdul Aziz. Each of them spoke enthusiastically of the great optimism and synergy created by this new relationship and highlighted their common ideas and objectives. After the event itself there was a press conference and refreshments.
Jorge MartÌ_nez ‰Û÷Aspar‰Ûª:
‰ÛÏWe are excited to be here at the DRIVE M7 Aspar Team presentation in Malaysia. This event is the confirmation of another important phase in the history of our team. We are broadening our horizons, continuing our growth and establishing ourselves firmly on the international plane.
"It is very important for us to have reached an agreement with DRIVE M7, a huge company that forms part of the Mutiara Motors Group and that has a global vision. In terms of our sporting project we have switched manufacturers from Aprilia to Honda and we have signed two World Champions in the shape of Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama to represent us in MotoGP. We are all very excited about this new project and we face a big challenge over the next three years.
"Both DRIVE M7 and the Aspar Team have similar ideas and thoughts, which is why we get on so well. The DRIVE M7 family have a very similar perspective to us, with a constant desire to grow and develop. I hope that this is the start of a long and successful relationship, both in terms of our sporting achievements and in promoting the name of DRIVE M7 and the Aspar Team around the world.‰Û
