SHELL ADVANCE ASIA TALENT CUP PREPARES TO TURN POTENTIAL INTO PERFORMANCE AT SENTUL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

The Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, a brand new motorsport series aimed at promoting young riders hoping to compete at the highest level of international motorcycle racing, reaches the Sentul International Circuit in Indonesia on Sunday 4 May 2014. A field of 22 young racers from across Asia will be raring to go in the second round of the season.

Nowhere else on Earth has as many young people riding motorbikes for business and pleasure as Asia, bringing the experience that makes riding skill second nature to many youngsters across the region. As well as ensuring that there is a supply of fuels and lubricants to keep their motorbikes in peak mechanical condition, Shell has turned its attention to the untapped potential that exists among the young Asian riding community to find a future motorcycle racing star and support them onto the international stage.

Representing Indonesia throughout the 8-race series is 17-year-old Wilman Hammar, who was born in Pinrang and currently resides in Yogyakarta. After two years of racing in one-make series and Motoprix in Indonesia, he was selected to compete in the inaugural Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup season.

Wilman Hammar said: “It is an incredible experience to be part of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup and to join in the unique spirit of the competition with fellow riders from Japan, China, Thailand and Malaysia. We get to put our skills to the test on Moto3 machinery, we have been given expert tuition by the championship organisers at every stage and there is a really good atmosphere in the paddock despite the intense competition. Shell Advance is dedicated to turning potential into performance, and I feel grateful to be developing as a competitor with every session on the track.”

A gathering of senior figures from Shell Advance, championship organiser Dorna and four of the featured riders joined local Indonesian media today to discuss the importance of Shell Advance’s premium motorcycle oil in the safe running of their Honda machines, along with giving thorough insight into why Shell Advance decided to support this exciting project.

While much of the attention at Sentul will be on Wilman Hammar, who will be riding on his home circuit and is sure to have plenty of support from the fans, all four of the riders present were placed in the spotlight and given a first taste of media stardom.

Kar-Tai Koh, Global Brand Manager for Shell Advance said: “When we were planning the calendar for the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, Indonesia immediately stood out as a destination that had to be featured. Not only is it a country that has immense potential from a talent perspective, but it is also a country with an extremely large riding community, emphasising its importance to Shell Advance.”

Alberto Puig, leader of the MotoGP™ Academy and talent scout for the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, is credited with uncovering talents such as Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.

Speaking at the media engagement, he said: “The first race in Qatar saw plenty of exciting action on the track with the riders constantly overtaking each other, and I know that the second race will not disappoint as the riders become more and more comfortable on their Honda bikes. The support that Shell Advance gives to the Championship is priceless and we know that the framework is now in place for the riders to aspire to reach the very top levels of the sport in the future."

TS
Jakarta - London - Cairo
08.05.2014