NEW SIGNINGS for 2012
GR Motosport continues into its 3rd season as the official Aprilia UK Superstock Team, with the signing of 2 significant new sponsorship agreements and a new rider for the fantastic Aprilia RSV4 factory APRC.
WD-40 Specialist, a new product range from the famous WD-40 Company, is racing ahead by agreeing a multi-year sponsorship with GR Motosport Aprilia.
WD-40 Specialist launched this year is an innovative range of professional products developed to tackle specific and demanding maintenance and DIY jobs, alongside the familiar WD-40 Multi-Use product.
Kieron Roberts, WD-40 Specialist’s assistant brand manager, said: “We’re very excited to be sponsoring GR Aprilia. The team line-up is looking fantastic and Superstock and GP 125 are the perfect league for us to be connected with as WD-40 Specialist is ideal for looking after all bikes – but especially those straight off the production line which need to be expertly maintained.”
Cargo Link Express is delighted to have agreed a sponsorship deal with GR Motosport Aprilia. The international flavour of the Team fits our comprehensive global network, with offices in Europe, Africa, The Americas, Middle East and Asia, Cargo Link Express can ensures we utilise our local knowledge and experience to deliver cost effective multi modal logistical solutions to our customers across multiple industry fields.
Aidan O’ Hagan, Business Development Director at Cargo Link, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be supporting the GR Motosport team, in association with Aprilia in the forthcoming season. The team will certainly be going places this season, new bike, rider and sponsors, and with the longstanding and continued strong management, is a heady mix for success and we very much look forward to sharing in the spoils!”
24-year-old Taylor Knapp from Lapeer, Michigan, former U.S. National Champion, competed in a handful of rides in the 2011 Metzeler National Superstock Championship bringing him to the attention of GR Motosport as a signing for the 2012 season.
Knapp had his first ride on the Aprilia RSV4 at a very cold Cadwell Park last weekend and now heads into the first race at Brands hatch full of confidence.
Taylor Knapp enthused, “It was really cold at Cadwell, but I really enjoy riding the RSV4. First impressions of the bike and team are really good. I am looking forward to racing the bike. I think I can really do something with this package!”
Aprilia Superteen Champion, 14-year-old Joe Francis, of Ellesmere Port, will also benefit from support of GR Motosport carrying the Number 40 and WD 40 Specialist branding on his BANKS racing British Championship GP125.
Phil Read Piaggio Group: “Sadly Marshall Neill is still recovering from his injuries. However, the young American rider Taylor Knapp spearheads the opening of the season onboard the Aprilia RSV4 Factory. He has a great attitude to his racing craft and we expect he will bring some exciting racing to the series.”
Brent Gladwin, Managing Director of GR Motosport added: “We will miss Marshall as he still recovers from the crash at Brands last season, but we are really looking forward to the new season. It is fantastic to have 2 major companies on board and to continue working with Aprilia and the RSV4. Both Taylor and Joe will I am sure do the number 40 justice this season. We will add another Superstock rider to the team but at the moment we are looking at our options.”