Mahindra Racing eyes on race tracks for 2-wheeler tips

Mahindra says it is watching the racing track keenly to pick up pointers for its relatively nascent two-wheeler business. The company's tryst with racing began last year. The Mahindra GP 125 (2-stroke) and the Mahindra MGP 30 (250 cc; 4-stroke) motorbikes have participated in the Moto Grand Prix and Italian Championships. Mahindra is also grooming aspiring rider, Sarath Kumar, for the big league. But this is not an association to merely pursue racing interests, says Mr Mufaddal Choonia, COO, Mahindra Racing. The company, he says, is “not in this for fun and glamour”. The races, which are the “ultimate stress tests for reliability and strength,” generate data that goes into product development. Some of the racing technologies that could be looked at are fuel injection and traction control. Traction control helps steer the bike easily while taking turns. It also ensures the wheels do not spin out of control on wet surface. These technologies are currently only available in very high-end bikes such as Honda CBR 250 cc and Ducati. But Mahindra hopes it can break the “elitist” image over time as it expands its motorcycle portfolio. Scooters could also be looked into. “Some of the high-end Piaggio scooters have traction control and fuel injection systems,” says Mr Choonia. Mahindra has a little over 5 per cent share in the domestic scooter market. The company entered the two-wheeler business about four years ago with the acquisition of Kinetic, today called Kine. Its other products include the Duro DZ, Rodeo and Flyte scooters. It is also set to re-launch the Stallio motorcycle soon. The company sold over one lakh units in 2011-2012.