After a very exciting and successful year in road-Racing for Metrakit, the group from Barcelona causes sensation yet again with a few additions to their already extensive and dominating line of products. In addition to a full line of race parts/kits for small engines (sportbikes and scooters) Metrakit has unveiled a new Pre-GP125 and concept bike.

The Pre-GP is a step up from their 12″ and 17″ Wheel small bore roadracers which have dominated the worlds 50cc-80cc mini-GP scene for the last 4 years. This 125 will continue in the Spec format that has proven successful in 13 counties. It boasts a Husqavarna engine with special roadracing transmision and a 32HP output, good enough for a full season of worry free racing and performance.

The Concept bike launched is a precursor of things to come from the newly formed Metrakit Design Department. In the USA these Metrakit Products can be obtained from

Cycle Imports INC in Miami, Fl.

+1 (305) 889-1800

~http://www.cycleimports.com~

Road Racer X interviewed the man behind the Metrakit in the United States, Ozzie Saez.

A reprint of the interview can be found on his website here: ~http://www.minigp50cc.com/index.aspx?page=racingevents14~

We are proud to announce that the third edition of the Metrakit Mini GP World Festival will take place this up-coming December on the 10th and 11th at the world famous Circuito Ricardo Tormo (Valencia).

The objective of this comunication, is to share with you this event of unique nature in the world today. The ingredients for this event could not be improved upon, 100 young pilots/racers from around the world (U.S.A, Canada, Ingland, Italy, France, Brasil, Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany) to compete and compare skills against the best riders in the world, in the best scenario imaginable as is the circuito de Cheste (Valencia Circuit)

There will be three races as follows; Two for the 12″ wheel spec. class and one for the 17″ wheel, 80cc MiniGP XL.

As a result of the large number of participants in the 12″ wheel class, and in the name of rider safety, we will separate the class into two groups as has been the format in previous events.

At the same time we are working and organizing complimentary events and activities on the premises. We are counting with the help and appearance of Moto GP stars and other personalities from the world of motorcycle racing. As with previous fesivals this is sure to be an enjoyable time for all involved

Inscription and rights

Inscription/registration fee is 90 Euros and will include, pit/box, 2 timed practice sessions, one race and prizes which take place that Sunday at the race track. In addition to this all registered racers/participants will recieve an interesting lot of products and a commemorative gift. There will also be a giant paella feast free of charge to all those present.

Of the complementary activities of this weekend it is important to note that there will be brief instructional announcement/meeting for mechanics/techs and guests regarding the chores and duties with respect to maintenance of the race bikes, which will be shred by/with the factory Metrakit Racing Division techs. Some of the MotoGP stars there present will be on hand and willing to answer questions from the Mini Gp racers/kids that weekend.

Prizes

Prizes for the first three finishers of this III Mini GP WORLD FESTIVAL are as follows;

80cc Class XL:

1 PLACE\tMETRAKIT mini GP Fun

2 PLACE\tOFFICIAL METRAKIT RACE LEATHERS (CUSTOM FIT)

3 PLACE\tRACE HELMET

70CC Spec class Group “A”

1 PLACE\tMETRAKIT Mini GP XL 50

2 PLACE\tOFFICIAL METRAKIT REACE LEATHERS (CUSTOM FIT)

3 PLACE\tRACE HELMET

70CC Spec class Group “B”

1 PLACE\tTROPHY

2 PLACE\tTROPHY

3 PLACE\tTROPHY

Finally there will be a raffle of gift bags aimed and preparing the kids for the up coming race season. More information can be found here: ~http://www.minigp50cc.com~

Rey Dominguez Junior of Miami, FL (age 12), was recently crowned the 2005 Metrakit US Mini GP Champ.

Unfortunately we aren’t able to provide more information, as there isn’t any that we can find.

Adopt A kid racer, a Texas non profit 501 (c) (3) corporation has sponsored the US MINI GP class final with $4700.

The race will be SEPT. 17-18 at Nashville Super Speedway in conjunction with WERA which will produce 5 finalists to represent the USA at the World Mini GP festival in Spain this December 2005. The World Mini GP festival takes place at the famous Valencia GP circuit. This is the Metrakit Spec. bike class which has been growing through out the US and Canada over the last 3 years.

Ozzie Saez, of OZBIKE in Miami, FL is the class promoter for the Mini GP series ~http://www.minigp50cc.com~ ~http://www.adoptakidracer.com~

In leu of recent negative press regarding the Metrakit bikes, we propose an open challenge to any rider/owner of a (stock) NSR 50.

$2500 cash to any rider who can beat a (stock) Metrakit with a(stock) NSR50.

Track of choice is the challengers option as long as its one of the Mini GP tracks on the schedule for 2005.

Rising star to join Red Bull Rookies Honda British 125GP team in 2005

Fourteen-year-old Chris Jones from Worcestershire was selected yesterday from among 12 aspiring young riders to join the Red Bull Rookies Honda British 125GP team in 2005.

The debut year of Red Bull and Honda Racings partnership in the British Superbike Championship series has been extremely successful, having already claimed several wins and podium finishes with Eugene Laverty and Steven Neate in 2004. Red Bull Rookies Honda is aiming to continue its impressive record with the help of what they consider to be the brightest young prospect in the sport.

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The teenage hopefuls 11 male and one female were chosen from across the UK to attend a selection event at Mallory Park yesterday (Tuesday 16 November). Each one hoped to be selected as the British 125GP Championship contender for one of the biggest and most professional teams in the paddock.

The event, which was organised by Red Bull and Honda Racing, entailed a rigorous selection process. This included two one-hour sessions on the track, an interview with representatives from the two companies and a tough fitness assessment with personal trainer Darren Roberts current strength and conditioning coach for the Red Bull-backed competitors.

Despite an overall incredibly high standard, two youngsters shone out from the process Bradley Smith and Chris Jones. However, with just one ride available, a tough decision needed to be made. The pair were interviewed for a second time with their parents before the final choice of Chris Jones was announced.

Jones, is aiming to become the youngest ever champion in the series with the help and support of Red Bull Rookies Honda. He is also hoping to remain with the team in future years to progress his road racing career into the higher capacity Supersport and Superbike classes.

The teenager, who is the 2004 MRO 125GP Champion, was the fastest rider on the track in both sessions and also excelled in his interviews, making him the unanimous choice of the panel of experts. He will now join Red Bull Honda Racing team-mates Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty as they embark on their pre-season test schedule.

Red Bulls partnership with Honda Racing enables us to give the best teenage riders in the UK a once in a lifetime opportunity to potentially progress from a Honda RS125 to the British Superbike Championship, said Red Bulls Motorsport Manager Linda Pelham. Chris Jones is certainly already among the best, and we hope to be able to help him reach the pinnacle of his profession in the future.

Honda Racing Race Team Manager Neil Tuxworth said:á Young motorcycle racing talent receives the attention and encouragement that it deserves in other European countries and Honda Racing believes that that should also be the case in the UK. It is important to provide the talent to replace experienced racers like Michael Rutter when he retires in order to protect the future of the sport.

Its a dream come true for me to be chosen today, said Jones. I was quite nervous when I saw the standard of the other riders who attended. The team seem really friendly though and the Red Bull Rookies Honda RS125 looks amazing. I cant wait to start testing. I want to win the championship next year and my long term ambition is to go to MotoGP.

December 17-19, 2004 were the dates set aside for the second World Mini GP road race invitational in Almeria, Spain hosted by Metrakit, manufacturer of performance parts and the bikes used in the event. The weekend was a huge success with the cooperation of mother nature and an incident free event. There were three classes and events this weekend as follow; 12″ wheel 72SP spec, 17″ wheel 80cc spec, and a 125cc recorded time trial for the fastest 4 kids from the 80cc spec class. A total of 72 riders (ages 7-15) and bikes grided this weekend.

5 US MINIGP kids/racers qualified to represent the USA only 4 competed. Their names Rey Dominguez FL., Miles Thornton GA., Josh Cook OH., Jake Lewis KY. The top five kids from 12 countires competed on spec bikes. The USA was the only team to participate on new, loaner bikes as arranged by Cycle Imports INC. helping the riders/parents save the expenses of shipping bikes to Spain.

Although the bikes were all spec., some were clearly tunned to perfection where the bikes provided by Cycle Imports and OZBIKE were new off the shelf giving the Americans a slight disadvantage in fine tuning and prep. The USA kids finished as follows; Rey 17th group A best time 2:08:742(17th of 47), Miles 5th group B best time 2:12:643(28th of 47), Josh 10th group B best time 2:16:231 (33rd of 47), Jake 13th group B best time 2:24:556 (36th of 47) The best time posted over the weekend was 2:00:744 by Maverick Vinales of Spain.

This event is unmatched in the world today in it’s level of competiton and participation. With teams like D’Antin’s MotoGP team and their rider Maverick Vinales of Spain and Alex Barros and his rider Lucas Barros of Brazil among other young hotshots of the world, it is no wonder this program is referred to as a showcase of future stars. Cycle Imports and OZBIKE who run the US program (minigp50cc.com) assure us this year’s event was a step above 2003 in entries and caliber.

The 2005 WORLD MINIGP is scheduled to take place in Catalunya, Spain and is expect to include a 125 spec class as well. Got kids? find out more about USMINIGP at ~http://www.minigp50cc.com~

US Mini GP Championship Race Nashville Super Speedway, November 12-14

Spec Metrakit 72cc SP (Pipe, Bore, Carb)

1 #72 Miles Thornton

2 #48 Ray Jr.

3 #192 Alejandro Nieres

4 #85 Jake Lewis

5 #8 Joshua Cook

The five riders above qualified to represent the USA in Spain for the World Mini GP

You don’t have to feel like you missed out, take a look at these photos.