by NR INDRAN / INT

A wet qualifying session after three dry free practices went wrong for the Mahindra riders at LeMans today, leaving them with a back-of-the-grid start and a big task for tomorrow’s French GP.

Both riders fell victim to very treacherous track conditions, slipping off on the ice-rink surface … and as a result neither rider made the qualifying cut – 107 percent of pole time. Danny Webb(21, from England) fell in the early stages after completing only three laps, and was not able to go out again. German team-mate Marcel Schrötter (19) also fell, but was able to rejoin after repairs, completing eight laps.

Because each had achieved respectable positions in free practice, they will be able to start the race. But it will be from the back of the 30-plus grid, even though Danny was a promising 18th on Friday. They face a hard job, as they try to claw back positions and move into the top15 to score the first points for the new Mahindra MGP-30.

The problems are all part of growing pains for the all-new all-independent Mahindra, pursuing its own technological goals with an independent engine and chassis in a field dominated by well-developed over-the-counter production racers. The white-and-red machine is still at the beginning of its development, although already in at the deep end of the new-this-year Moto3™ class which replaced the traditional 125 two-strokes with250cc single-cylinder four-strokes.

“This is a difficult moment. We have technical problems that we need to solve, and I don’t know how much time we need. But if we all work together – engineers, riders, technicians and the whole team – we will do it,” said Mahindra Racing COO, Mufaddal Choonia.

DANNY WEBB – 32nd Position

I had a problem this morning and it seems to have come again in the afternoon. Unfortunately, after the crash I couldn’t go out again. I’d only done three laps, so I’m pretty gutted. Starting from the back means a tough race … I hope it isn’t raining.

MARCEL SCHRÖTTER – 33rd Position

I missed a session yesterday with an engine problem, but went quite well this morning. It rained this afternoon and I am usually quite good in the wet, but I couldn’t get the right feel from the bike, and the power was a bit too aggressive. I crashed early on, but I’m okay and I could go out again. I’ll do my best tomorrow.

Mahindra Racing is the first Indian team to participate in the FIM Moto GP™ World Motorcycle Racing Championship (in 2011)and the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV, in 2012).

On the world stage, the Indian factory team signed off its 2011 debut season on a high note with action packed performances by both its riders. Marcel Schrötter finished 15th overall in the 125cc Rider’s Championship and the team finished a strong third overall in the Constructor’s Championship. Danny Webb made history when he secured pole position in Valencia in the last race of the 125cc era. The team takes this learning into its participation in the all new Moto3™ class which replaced the 125cc class from the 2012 season onwards.

In the CIV in Italy, the team has teamed up Indian rider Sarath Kumar with ex Italian Champion Riccardo Moretti in the 125GP Class. The team became the first from India to win an international motorsport event when Riccardo took the chequered flag at the season-opening race of the CIV in Mugello, Italy on 25 March, 2012. Another brilliant victory on the Imolacircuit on 8 April, 2012, established Moretti and his team firmly at the top of the standings.

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