Maxtra searching for engine speed

Increasing engine performance is the next key target for the new Maxtra 125GP squad after a successful two-day test session in Valencia last week.

British rookie Matt Hoyle and Austrian Michael Ranseder tested the new Chinese-backed machine against Aprilia and Derbi opposition for the first time in Spain last week, and team boss Garry Taylor was happy with progress.

The next goal though is to improve the top speed of the engine, which has been designed and built by renowned two-stroke tuner Jan Witteveen.

“As we said at the Maxtra launch at the GP of China last May, we know we won’t be on the leader’s pace in year one, but we do have a realistic development programme which we are continuing to pursue,“ said Taylor, former manager of Suzuki’s MotoGP factory team.

“At the moment we seem to have a have a strong chassis package with the team based at Harris Performance in England making good progress with new bodywork developed from wind tunnel and aerodynamic tests, plus the very latest suspension from Ohlins.

“On the engine side we have strong low and mid-range power and we are now working on more top end power. Jan Witteveen and his engine team are working on that area and we expect to have new components in time for our next test.”

Ranseder tested the latest engine specification in the latest chassis in Valencia and proved that it was well up to the corner speed of some of the leading manufacturer machines.

He also made a race distance test, confirming the reliability of the latest specification Maxtra 125.

Ranseder also helped Hoyle with suggestions on how to alter his riding style to suite the Maxtra GP machine.

Hoyle also tried the latest specification engine later in the test and was impressed with the progress over the earlier version.

“This was a good shakedown test for the whole team. This is the first time Michael and Matt have ridden since November last year and it was good to see them both so fit and keen to get on with the development programme.

“We have a clear direction where we need to make improvements and the whole project is on track for its debut race at Qatar in April.”

Ranseder clocked a best time of 1.45.0 at the test, with Hoyle just 0.5s adrift.