Seedorf Racing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Seedorf racing is a motorcycle racing team. It is currently taking part in the 125cc World Championship under the name ISPA KTM Aran.
The team was founded in 2002 by Dutch footballer Clarence Seedorf, as a project that Seedorf was undertaking to support young sportsmen. The first appearance was in the Spanish 125cc Championship, with the rider Ismael Ortega. In the Australian Grand Prix, Álvaro Bautista finished fourth, being the first Spaniard in the final classification. In the Comunidad Valenciana Grand Prix, Bautista managed to finish in sixth position. During the first half of the season the English racer Christopher Martin rode the second bike, while Danish racer Robbin Harms rode it during the second half. During the CEV Isamel Ortega was his partner, finishing fourth with two podiums.
In 2004, Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos became a co-owner, and the team became Seedorf RC3. The team stayed in the 125cc World Championship in 125cc with Héctor Barberá and Álvaro Bautista as riders, the first one earning the subchampionship. Barberá won a total of four races (Cataluyaa, Rio de Janeiro, Portugal and Valencia) and another three podiums (second in Germany and third in Jerez and Italy),while Álvaro Bautista was up at the top four times (second in England, and third in Qatar, Malaysia and Australia), ocuppying the seventh place of the final general classification.
In 2006, Seedorf Racing team up with Racing World of Stefano Bedon, Their riders were Fabrizio Lai and Michele Conti and were on Honda, the team's best achievement was in the French GP with Lai taking third place. 2007 was the official pairing of Racing World and Seedorf Racing, the pairing became Piaggio's official factory team onboard a Derbi, & their riders are Lukas Pesek winning two races in China and Australia while Nicolas Terol scoring small points.
2008 was a turning point for the joint team with they switch to KTM and for the first time the team will not run with the Seedorf banner, instead it will run under the name ISPA KTM Aran, Their riders will be Tomoyoshi Koyama and Lorenzo Zanetti.
Team's History:
2003: Seedorf Racing (Aprilia): Álvaro Bautista = Place: 20th, 31pts. Robbin Harms = Place: 26th, 8pts.
2004: Seedorf Racing (Aprilia): Héctor Barberá = Place: 2nd, 202pts. Álvaro Bautista = Place: 7th, 129pts.
2005: Seedorf RC3 - Tiempo Holidays (Honda): Álvaro Bautista = Place: 15th, 47pts. Aleix Espargaró = Place: 16th, 36pts.
2006: Valsir Seedorf Racing (Honda): Fabrizio Lai = Place: 11th, 83pts. Michele Conti = Place: Not Classified, 0pts.
2007: Valsir Seedorf Derbi: Lukáš Pešek = Place: 4th, 182pts. Nicolás Terol = Place: 22th, 19pts.
2008: ISPA KTM Aran: Tomoyoshi Koyama = Place: TBD, TBDpts. Lorenzo Zanetti = Place: TBD, TBDpts.
