Repsol and Honda continue fruitful partnership

REPSOL YPF will continue its title sponsorship of the Honda factory MotoGP team after an agreement was reached for a new two-year partnership for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The highly successful 13-year partnership between the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and the Repsol YPF brand has brought nine 500cc and MotoGP World Championship titles, 96 race victories in the premier class and 163 podium finishes to date.

HRC Vice President, Mr Satoru Horiike:
After 13 years with Repsol, HRC is very pleased to continue the relationship with a new agreement from the 2008 season. The Repsol Honda team has enjoyed record-breaking success in the past 13 years and it is our intention to continue this. Repsol Honda is an established brand and we are very happy to be able to continue the growth of this image in the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
Mr Jaume Giro, Repsol YPF Executive Director for Communication: Being able to finally announce that HRC and Repsol YPF are going to be together in the next years is a satisfaction for us and the culmination of several months of intense work in a joint project for the future, outlining the foundations for this agreement. Working with HRC is something that we’ve been doing now for more than 12 years. Our vision for the future and the determination of both companies to improve and be always one step ahead of our competitors has taken us to reach this collaboration. Competing at the highest level is something innate for us and part of the corporate strategy for Repsol. Competition gives us the chance to be the leaders in research and development of new products and, at the same time, it allows us to enjoy being close to the fans.
Repsol is the official competition fuel supplier for the Repsol Honda Team, thanks to the development of specific fuel produced in the Repsol YPF Technological Centre.

taken from highrevs.net

James Toseland signs for Tech 3 Yamaha

After we have seen some of the top factory rides being quickly taken at this stage of the season, one of currently not so attractive rides is occupied by James Toseland, ex World Superbike champion and current WSBK championship leader. Previously stating that he will not accept nothing less than factory ride, Toseland today confirmed 2 year Tech 3 Yamaha deal.

Being a satellite team on Dunlop tyres, Tech 3 Yamaha team spend most of the season at the back of the pack, but for 2008 team will became fully supported factory team, probably using different tyres in next season. Considering the fact that Yamaha has also signed Jorge Lorenzo, 250cc champion, it is reasonable to expect that he and Toseland may be team-mates in an failrly competitive MotoGP team.

Commenting on his move to currently not so competetive team, James Toseland said:
I’m 26 now and it’s the right time to move. All I wanted was a competitive ride and I’ve got that. The only thing to be decided is which tyres I’ll be running but it’s a great package. It’s a 2008 Yamaha and it’s not a million miles away from what Valentino Rossi will be riding.
Tech 3 Yamaha boss, Herve Poncharal was also delighted with new rider comming to his team:
I am delighted to have secured a rider of James' calibre and am looking forward to working with him. Procuring James is a major coup for Tech 3 Yamaha and for the MotoGP championship in extending our reach into Northern Europe. It is an exciting time for us all and I am certain that he will be an integral part of the team's future.

taken from highrevs.net