| FTR MOTO to produce MOTO2 machines |
 FTR MOTO is to produce machinery for the new Moto2, four-stroke World Championship class and will contest this year’s Spanish Championship as part of the development programme. The UK company, already a racing motorcycle constructor and leading supplier to many of the world’s leading race teams, intends to test then race its new M209 prototype during June and July. FTR Moto will further develop the machine during 2009 while racing in the CEV Buckler Spanish series with a partner race team. Production of customer Moto2 machinery will begin in July. The machine is based on FTR Moto’s key principles of: • Optimum performance. • Minimum weight. • Efficient aerodynamics package. • Engineer and technician-friendly. • Highest quality throughout. FTR Moto already supplies a wide range of components to teams in the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP classes of the World Championship and the new Moto2 project is a further evolution of the 15-year-old company. FTR Moto director Steve Bones believes: “Moto2 has fallen directly into the type of remit we welcome at FTR Moto. The new class gives us the opportunity to provide the complete package for customers and offers our designers and engineers the chance to express themselves.” Bones adds: “We will offer everything from bespoke build to a high quality, standard customer machine to a comprehensive set-up and after sales service.” FTR Moto will give customers the choice of power plants and the standard M209 will feature Ohlins suspension, Marchesini wheels, Brembo brakes and Dunlop tyres. The complete, race-ready machine is expected to cost approximately £70,000. Bones continues: “We need a solid starting point for the machine and for the customer so working with some of the best after market and racing suppliers in the business enables us to do that.” The M209 will feature the best possible fabrication and components with maximum adjustment for geometry and settings and is aimed at being as user-friendly as possible. The key technical points of the M209 include: • Aluminium multi spar frame • Aluminium under-slung swing arm • Fully adjustable geometry • Force-fed, high volume airbox • Composite fuel tank cover • Aluminium, under-seat fuel tank “We’re keen to use all of the knowledge from our years working with racing teams to ensure the best possible motorcycle from the beginning of this project,” adds Bones. The company’s Moto2 project will involve continual development with an unbiased parts supply and distribution to all customers. “It would be easy to pretend we are a race team and head off in a different direction with the Moto2 project,” Bones explains. “But we are a constructor and a supplier and catering for customers is what we do best and where our focus will remain.” FTR Moto will guarantee an efficient spares supply both directly and online and will also offer technical support during events. The customer M209 will be delivered with set-up equipment and manual, paddock stands and a spares option and will be available from August. For further technical information contact Mark Taylor: Tel: +44 (0) 1280 815800; e-mail: mark@ftrmoto.com High resolution images of the machine illustration are available by contacting: contact@bartoncomms.co.uk |
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