Friday, 2nd May 2008

John Surtees, the only person to win world championships on both two and four wheels, is to head a new Chinese 125cc grand prix team, officially launched in Shanghai on Friday.

The new 'Maxtra' team will use Haojue machinery produced by the Grand River Group (GRG), which sold over 2.7 million motorcycles last year, and be spearheaded by Surtees, who won the 500cc World Championship four times between 1956 and 1960 before claiming the 1964 Formula One World Championship for Ferrari.

The 74-year-old will be joined by former Suzuki grand prix team manager Garry Taylor, with former Aprilia engineer Jan Witteveen in charge of engine development and British company Harris Performance manufacturing the chassis.

Maxtra plans to make its grand prix debut next season and aims to attract the services of proven riders from within the existing world championship.

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Aprilia, KTM, Derbi, Honda and Loncin currently compete in the 125cc World Championship.

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