Chennai based TVS Motor Company is now getting aggressive on
the motorsport front. TVS Racing, the racing division of TVS Motor Company and
Sherco Motorcycles, a French motorcycle manufacturer, specialising in off-road
motorbikes have associated to participate in the 2015 Dakar, under the banner
of Sherco TVS Rally Factory team. This was stated in a press release issued by
the company.
TVS Racing began operations in 1984 with 50cc TVS mopeds and
soon began winning in every category of racing. Over the years TVS Racing has
participated in and won several road racing, motocross and dirt track events.
To date, TVS Racing has maintained an average record of 90pc wins in all events
the team participates in.
The major events in which TVS has participated include
winning the prestigious Group C up to 165cc modified four stroke category of
the National Road Racing Championship and Group D up to 130cc four stroke
category. TVS Racing also won the Dakshin Dare, Raid De Himalaya, Monsoon Rally
and the Indian National Rally 2014. The team also participated in and won three
major scooter rally events, riding a modified Wego. TVS Racing emerged winners
of this year’s Sigiriya, Fox Hill and Gunners Supercross racing events, held in
Sri Lanka.
Sherco Motorcycles are known for their extremely popular
trial bikes, enduro and supermoto bikes. Under the association, two
international riders namely Alain Dulcos and Fabien Planet, both of French
origin will don the colours of the Sherco TVS Rally Factory team and compete in
the forthcoming Dakar.
Announcing the association at a press conference in
Bangalore, Arvind Pangaonkar, Head of TVS Racing said, “We are building further
on the success of TVS Racing. The racing motorcycles, christened RTR 450, will
be more competitive, lightweight and equipped with highly reliable 450cc
engines developed and manufactured by the team at Sherco Motorcycles along with
TVS Racing specifically for the 2015 Dakar Rally. The bikes will have a better
overall design with a new fairing and several additional upgrades that enhance
the bike’s ride handling.
Under this special racing arrangement, engineers from TVS
Racing will be working alongside the team from Sherco and its racing affiliates
(Mac Racing, Michelin, Selle Dalla Valle, Moto Master, Exact and F2r) at the
2015 Dakar.”
The 2015 Dakar is scheduled to be held between January 3,
2015 and January 17, 2015 in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.