2017 GULF-SUPPORTED APRILIA SUPERBIKE CHALLENGER LAUNCHED AT JEREZ SBK TEST – AND INSTANTLY ON THE PACE
The 2017 Gulf Oil-branded Aprilia World Superbikes were launched this week at the Jerez track in Spain, at the start of the two-day pre-season test.
Riders Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori removed the covers on their 2017 Aprilia RSV4 RFs in front of many of the world’s leading motorbike journalists, marking the bike’s first public appearance. The team is a union of the prolific SMR (Shaun Muir Racing) team and the highly successful Aprilia Racing – a first for both outfits.
Although this was the first time on track for the 2017 bikes, the team quickly settled into its stride and shocked onlookers on the second day when Lorenzo Savodori set the second fastest time of the whole test, within a whisker of defending World Champion, Jonathan Rea’s best.
Gulf Oil International is now entering its second year as team sponsor and technical partner in WorldSBK. Vice President International Frank Rutten said: “Gulf is extremely enthusiastic about the development of the partnership with SMR and Aprilia. Gulf’s involvement in World Superbikes is a vitally important part of Gulf’s global marketing platform and if the bikes perform as beautifully as they look – and have shown so far in testing – we are in for a very exciting season.”
Gulf’s motorsport partners and double British Superbike champions, SMR made their debut in World Superbikes in 2016, and have their sights set high heading into the 2017 season. Speaking at the launch, Team Principal Shaun Muir said: “It’s great to finally be here in Jerez for our first test of 2017. It’s exciting to unveil the bikes; a lot of work has gone into the new generation of Aprilia RSVF RF over the winter. The upgrades and support we’ve received are testament to the commitment by Aprilia Racing to the whole project.
The team was extremely positive about the test as a whole, despite an incident when another bike crashed into Eugene Laverty’s Gulf–branded machine, curtailing his test, but fortunately without serious injury to the rider.
Team Manager Mick Shanley: “Lorenzo is adapting really well to the team and to the 2017 RSV4 RF. We’ve worked through a lot of things with him so far and to finish second today is a really good result. He’s achieved his personal best times here this week, and we’ve got a few new things for him to try.”
Aprilia Racing has a successful history in WorldSBK, with three rider titles and four manufacturer titles to their name. 2017 marks their return to providing full factory support in the championship.
Gulf lubricants and vehicle maintenance products were already in evidence in the Milwaukee Aprilia garage during the Jerez test – with a further consignment on its way to the team base – while the Gulf supported machines are now relocating to Portimao in Portugal for a further two-day test on the 28th-29th. The 2017 WorldSBK season begins in February, at Phillip Island in Australia.
Updates about all of Gulf’s activities and products can be found on the Gulf Facebook page: www.facebook.com/gulfoilinternational
For more information contact Gulf Oil International Press Officer, Simon Maurice on +44 7771597961 or email: [email protected]
