The Joe Darcey team will assist Buckingham-based FTR Moto by testing and racing the M209 prototype in Spain in advance of the machine being introduced to the World Championship from 2010.

FTR’s Moto2 machine will use the latest Marchesini wheels, Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, Dunlop tyres and will use a Honda engine prepared by the Joe Darcey technical team.

“Our expertise at FTR Moto is in building the rolling chassis and not racing so we’re really pleased to have one of the best teams in the Spanish Championship working with us,” said FTR Moto director Steve Bones.

The machine is expected to make its track debut for initial shakedown tests next month and the project target is to be on track at round four of the CEV Buckler Spanish series on September 25-27 at the Albacete circuit.

“Now we know the engine regulations and finer detail that the new Moto2 World Championship category will use from 2010 we are keen to develop the rolling chassis and be fully prepared,” added Bones. “We need as much data and feedback as possible in advance of producing the machines for 2010 and the World Championship launch.”

The Joe Darcey team is one of Spain’s leading teams and finished runner-up in the 2008 Supersport series with Scottish rider Kevin Coghlan, winning the championship the year before with Englishman Graeme Gowland.

Joe Darcey team manager Miguel Gomez said: “The FTR Moto project is something we are very excited about. We know the guys at FTR Moto and they are one of the leading companies in the production of machinery and we are looking forward to working with them on the Moto2 project.”