Honda launches CBR1000RR bike at Losail circuit

QMMF President and LIC General Manager Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah at the launch of Honda Europe’s new bike, CBR1000RR (below), at the Losail International Circuit on December 13

By Sports Reporter/Doha

This is the fourth time that the company chose the circuit for a bike launch.

During their five-day event, Honda had invited 50 media personnel from different countries—France, Switzerland, UK, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Italy and Spain—to test the bike at the Qatari track, which will play host to the inaugural MotoGP race in April.

The testing sessions included a briefing and an introductory riding session with Pirelli standard tyres in the morning and with racing tyres in the afternoon.

Honda Europe’s guests to the event included, John McGuinness, who races for the Honda TT Legens Factory racing team in the Isle of Man TT, Jonathan Rea, Superbike World Championship rider for Honda, Leon Haslam, also a motorcycle racer in the Superbike World Championship and Leon’s father, Ron Haslam, who has been racing for over thirty years, winning three World titles, four British championships and having ridden in almost 110 GPs.

Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) president and LIC general manager Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah said: “I am delighted to organise this worldwide launch at Losail International Circuit as these marketing events are very important to promote not only the circuit itself but also to project Qatar worldwide. Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation has been working to bring as many international events as possible to Losail International Circuit, given the circuit has FIA and FIM homologation.”