The Dutch Grand Prix team DeGraaf Grand Prix today officially announce plans for the 2008 season which include a new rider line-up along with a change of machine. Joining English teenager Danny Webb (16) the team will be reinforced with two new riders: American Stevie Bonsey (17) and Dutchman Hugo van den Berg (17). For the second successive season the English man Danny Webb will be part of the DeGraaf Grand Prix team. After his first season in the Grand Prix, Webb scored three points with his best finish during the Japanese Grand Prix. For 2008, Danny wants to show that he can consistently score in the points. Danny Webb: “The winter lasts much too long for me! I cannot wait until the first kilometres are made for 2008. I am very glad with the switch to the Aprilia and I think that I can make a big step forward with this bike. In 2008, my paddock mate Hugo van den Berg will be my team-mate along with Stevie Bonsey I know Stevie very well from the paddock and I think we have, with the three of us, a strong team for 2008.” With our sponsors DeGraaf Technisch Personeel and Exact Software stands the DeGraaf Grand Prix team with a strong combination to the start in 2008. With the new Aprilia’s the expectations will be high. Joining Webb in the DeGraaf Grand Prix team is Stevie Bonsey. At the end of the season the first contacts were made with the American by means of Chuck Aksland, manager of Kenny Roberts MotoGP team. Bonsey participated in the 2007 125 World Championship aboard a KTM, scoring four points during his rookie season. Before switching to road racing, Stevie came up through the ranks of American dirt track racing. In 2005, Stevie was awarded the AMA Dirt Track horizon Award, presented to the most promising amateur racer of the year. Stevie Bonsey: “I am really happy to race for the DeGraaf Grand Prix Team in 2008. After a reasonably successful rookie-season, I think that much better results are possible for next year. I have already ridden the Aprilia during a test and race in November and was pleased with the performance of the machine. The factory kitted Aprilia has proven to be a very competitive machine. Now that I know most of the race tracks, I am really looking forward to my second season in the Championship. I think it is really cool that my home GP will be at Indy. I can’t wait! Also, I got to know Danny and Hugo last season. They are good guys and I look forward to working with them as team-mates.” Hugo van den Berg: “I am very glad that I can ride in 2008 in the GP’s. I can, however, say that 2007 was a disaster year for me and this offer came thus as a present from the sky. I am supermotivated for 2008 and I get along with my fellow-teammates Danny Webb and Stevie Bonsey . I have all faith in the team and I have to make it up with respect to last season.” Team manager Jarno Janssen: “It was a very hectic period but eventually we now can present the riders for the 2008 season. With Danny Webb, Hugo van den Berg and Stevie Bonsey on Aprilia-bikes we have a strong combination. I don’t want to do a forecast, but I think that all three riders must be able to score regularly in the points and perhaps work there way well into the top-10-positions. I want pronounce my thanks for DeGraaf Technische Personeel and Exact Software for their faith in the team. We will do everything to make it a good season. Also I want to thank Honda for many years’ cooperation. We don’t say entirely farewell as we will also take part with Honda in the Spanish Open Championship with two Dutch riders. Soon we can tell more about that.” The team plan to begin testing towards the end of January in Spain.
Bonsey To Race For DeGraaf Grand Prix Team In 2008 125cc World Championship
Bonsey To Race For DeGraaf Grand Prix Team In 2008 125cc World Championship
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