SAXOPRINT RTG – Perfectly poised to challenge for points in the Moto3 Motorcycle World Championship

Following the winter break SAXOPRINT Racing Team Germany presented itself to the public and introduced its riders, bikes and sponsors for the Motorcycle World Championship 2014. The official team name says it all: SAXOPRINT continues to develop its commitment to motorcycling and is the main sponsor of the racing team from Saxony. With two Grand Prix riders racing on Honda motorcycles we are going to join them in the battle for points on international race circuits during the World Championship season.

SAXOPRINT strengthens its commitment on two wheels

We are supporting the reigning IDM Moto3 champion Max Kappler for the 3rd season as a sponsoring partner and are now taking the next step by supporting an entire team in the Motorcycle World Championship with SAXOPRINT RTG. The home track of the ambitious racing team led by team manager Dirk Heidolf is the Sachsenring, which is situated very close to our production plant in Dresden. As a local partner from Saxony we will be supporting the highly-motivated team at their races around the globe and are looking forward to being able to further develop the international presence of SAXOPRINT.

In our view the reasons for sponsoring in motorcycle racing are multifaceted. As a service provider in the printing trade we rely upon the latest technology in the same way that SAXOPRINT RTG do with its two NSF250RW factory Hondas. Our progress can be seen through our use of optimised technology, for example the Speedmaster XL 162 eight-colour printing press from the company Heidelberg. In our production processes we continue to rely on speed in much the same way as the riders Efrén Vázquez and John McPhee as they aim for the fastest lap time. For riders and printers the same objective applies: to achieve the ideal lines at top speed. A great deal of precision is required in order to attain this, which in turn requires a strong, superbly trained team. These key requirements are fulfilled on both sides – the sporting demands of the racing team are accompanied by the customer-oriented work in our print shop.

Alongside these parallels there is a further basis for the sponsoring contract which was signed yesterday. This season the races for the FIM Motorcycle World Championship will be held at 18 circuits around the globe. Ports of call include several race weekends on European soil and SAXOPRINT RTG will be represented a total of four times in Spain, Great Britain, France and they will of course fight for valuable points at the home circuit of the Sachsenring. So there are four European countries where SAXOPRINT is active as a print service provider and from now on will also be able to reach the audience at the race tracks and on television. An excellent opportunity for us to extend our European appeal.

Official presentation at the Sachsenring

Everything was completed at the Sachsenring on 6.3.2014 and SAXOPRINT RTG presented their plans for the coming race season to the public. The presentation was led by journalist and presenter René Kindermann, who was told by Dirk Heidolf that at SAXOPRINT RTG there is no such thing as “possibly” and “hopefully” but rather “yes we can”.

After tests in Valencia and Jerez the exceedingly cheerful riders and newly-developed factory motorcycles from Honda were presented to the press who were in attendance yesterday. Team manager Heidolf commented very positively on the cooperation with the Japanese, as Honda has already worked together with the team in previous years and the former GP rider appreciates their loyalty and ambition. In the coming season John McPhee and Efrén Vázquez will both participate in the Moto3 class of the MotoGP. In the CEV Max Kappler and Chris Beinlich hope to achieve good positions in the Moto3 as does Toni Finsterbusch in the Moto2.

Following the morning press conference, where the journalists and audience were able to witness the signing of the contract between Dirk Heidolf (team manager), Klaus Sauer and Daniel Ackermann (SAXOPRINT Managing Directors), the team were introduced on the race circuit. At the evening event the entire team for the 2014 season were once again presented to the invited guests consisting of sponsors and representatives of the press.

The minds behind SAXOPRINT RTG

Dirk Heidolf

As a former GP rider Managing Partner Dirk Heidolf is perfect for the role as team manager of SAXOPRINT RTG. From 2001 to 2007 the native Saxon took part in the Motorcycle World Championship as a rider. In the 250cc class he took part in many exciting races and was able to make a name for himself in the world of motorcycling. With his professional background the new kids on the block will certainly be able to profit from his experience.

Efrén Vázquez

The participation of Efrén Vázquez means that a Spaniard is joining a German team for the first time. The 27 year old has been a motorsport professional since 2007 and in the past he rode against Dirk Heidolf in the battle for world championship points. Vazquez won the Spanish 125cc Championship in 2008 and is now proud to ride for SAXOPRINT RTG. He is full of praise for the cordial atmosphere in the team and his aim will be to bring in important points at each circuit for the overall placing. You can follow Efrén on Facebook and Twitter.

John McPhee

The experienced 19 year old Scotsman John McPhee is already beginning his 2nd season. His aim is to improve on last year’s performance. He also hopes to be able to profit from the experience of his Spanish team colleague, with whom he has already built a friendly relationship in the tests. He will continue to be supported by the private talent development organisation the Racing Steps Foundation. In order to remain in his slipstream you can follow John on his Website, Facebook and Twitter.

Other team members

This season the Saxon racing team will take part in the Spanish Championship for the first time. According to Heidolf the competition, which is seen as the unofficial European Championship, is “the best stepping stone for the World Championship”. Max Kappler and Toni Finsterbusch will be able to gain valuable experience here as riders for SAXOPRINT RTG. The team is completed by the chief technicians Norman Rank and Toni Gruschka and the mechanics Franck Gallou, Steven Schwabe, Robert Ertl, Peter Schläger and Anthony Grillmont. The partners of SAXOPRINT RTG include Bernd Keller, Frank Beierlein and Dr. Jörg-Uwe Fischer.

The 2014 season – where the races will take place

So that you can follow all of the events involving SAXOPRINT RTG on television or at the race track, here is this year’s racing calendar for the FIM Motorcycle World Championship which also includes the Moto3 World Championship. So make a note of these dates and join us in wishing our team all the best.

Impressions of the presentation at the Sachsenring