FTR to debut new Moto3 bike with Maverick Vinales

FTR will give its new Moto3 machine its first serious track test with Spanish sensation Maverick Vinales at the Almeria circuit on Wednesday (November 23).

The M311 chassis will be tested with Honda’s new NSF250R four-stroke engine as the Spanish-based BQR continues its preparations for the inaugural Moto3 series.

The deal with BQR is a major coup for Buckingham-based FTR as it means they will tie-up with rising teenage Spanish star Vinales, who won four races in an impressive 125GP campaign in 2011.

FTR is also collaborating with BQR on its Kawasaki ZX-10R-powered MotoGP project and boss Steve Bones told MCN: “The bike will roll out in Almeria and we are testing with Maverick Vinales, so we clearly have the best rider. We are really pleased about that.

“We did have the bike in Valencia and it was very well received and we had a lot of good interest in it. We’ve got the Honda engineers coming to the test and we start to get the project ready and prepared for next year.”

Bones said the target was to have around six to eight bikes using the FTR M311 frame in Moto3 next season and he explained why they have opted to work with the Honda motor.

He added: “For us the Honda is a no-brainer. Honda is really behind Moto3, you know the engine will make the horsepower that’s required and it will make it to the end of the race. The Honda engine is the safe choice.

“Others are out there but for us they carry some risk but Honda is Honda. We are known in the paddock more now after our time in Moto2 and people have confidence in us to deliver a good machine.”