Jerez hosts an evening to be remembered

Freshly appointed as the World Capital of Motorcycling 2015 the Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera hosted an evening to be remembered as more than five hundred distinguished guests enjoyed the fifth edition of the FIM Gala Ceremony. Over thirty 2014 FIM World Champions were joined by legends of the various disciplines, an array of key motorcycle industry stakeholders plus numerous media representatives to celebrate the achievements of many two-wheel heroes and the work done by others involved in the sport.

The new British pairing of Gavin Emmett and Lisa Leyland conducted the ceremony perfectly in front of a packed audience inside the historic Teatro Villamarta, as they welcomed a whole host of champions, legends and other prize-winners to the stage to collect their respective awards. The large crowd was entertained throughout as both presenters shared their specialist knowledge and passion for motorcycle sport whilst taking the opportunity to speak to some of the newly crowned FIM World Champions who ranged in age from eleven to forty-four-years-old.

Recognised and rewarded as FIM Legends themselves; Jorge Martinez, Sammy Miller, Sue Fish, Gerd Riss, Thierry Magnaldi and Kvetoslav Masita took charge of presenting the prizes to the current champions including Marc and Alex Marquez, Esteve Rabat, Sylvain Guintoli , Antonio Cairoli, Jordi Tixer, Christophe Nambotin, Pierre Alexandre Renet, Matthew Phillips, Greg Hancok, Daniil Ivanov plus many more of the World’s best riders. The female winners also made their mark on the evening with Chiara Fontanesi, Laia Sanz and Emma Bristow all receiving great applause as they stepped forward to receive their respective prizes.

In addition to acknowledging the achievements of the many FIM World Champions, the FIM also presented two additional and important prizes to recognise other work done within the sport and industry. The 2014 FIM Environment Award saw joint winners in the form of Circuit of The Americas and Yamaha Motor Racing, whilst the FIM Road Safety Award this year was won by The Dutch Motorcycle Federation (Koninklijke Nederlandse Motorrijders Vereniging – KMNV).

Recently re-elected FIM President Vito Ippolito said: “Once again it has been a truly amazing evening and one that I am sure will be remembered well by all those who attended. It was also the perfect way for the city of Jerez de la Frontera to mark their appointment as the World Capital of Motorcycling 2015. It is always a very special occasion when we gather together all our FIM World Champions, our FIM Legends and so many people from our sport and industry to celebrate collectively what has been achieved in the year. Again I want to express my sincere thanks to the riders, teams and everyone else who is involved in our motorcycling family for making this edition of the FIM Gala a real success and for keeping the true spirit of motorcycling alive.”

More, from a press release issued by Aspar Team:

Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ named an FIM Legend for 2014

Jerez de la Frontera hosted the fifth FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) Awards Ceremony last night. The best riders in all categories and disciplines of motorcycle racing gathered at the Villamarta Theatre in the Andalusian city to receive medals and diplomas that celebrated their status as World Champions. At the same event, Jerez de la Frontera was named the motorcycling capital of the world for 2015.

There were also several former greats who received FIM Legends awards. The Legends were responsible for handing over the prizes to the winners in the 2014 season, and Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ was amongst those distributing the awards. The four-time World Champion and first winner of a race at the permanent circuit in Jerez, Aspar was one of the riders named a Legend last night. Winners in the MotoGP classes were Marc and Alex Márquez and Esteve Rabat, and Aspar also helped with the presentation of the Superbike and Supersport honours.

Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ was tremendously proud of the recognition received from the FIM. He made the following comments at the event:

How do you see the state of Spanish motorcycle racing?
Amazing. Great things are being achieved. I see our riders dominating in all categories in many disciplines, and I am sure that this trend will continue to increase, because many riders are coming through as well. This is possible thanks to the excellent development system we currently have in Spain. There is a very promising future for racing in our country.

Are you proud of the current state of Spanish motorcycling?
Of course. Currently, Spain is a worldwide reference in all aspects of motorsport. Firstly thanks to Dorna, the company that holds the rights to MotoGP. Spain is the country which host the most Grands Prix –four- and has many other circuits capable of hosting top-level events. Furthermore, the CEV series will next year become a Junior World Championship and has been an undisputable stepping stone to the World Championship. Then we have Spanish teams, such as the Aspar Team, that have made a difference for many years. Not to mention the two seasons in which all the MotoGP titles have been won by Spanish riders. I feel very proud and pleased with what we have achieved in the last twenty years.

Do you feel responsible, in a way, for the success of Spanish motorcycle racing?
I consider it very important to bring all the experience I’ve gained over many years to the table, in order to build a future. At the time I tried to do my bit as a rider, then I set up a riding school in Valencia and then became head of the Aspar Team. I always try to make all my experience available to the riders with whom I work, so that they can develop in the best possible way.

What does it mean to Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ to be recognised as an FIM Legend?
Mainly it means that I’m still doing things well. I feel very proud to have been able to devote my life to motorcycle racing and to have left my mark on the sport, firstly with four world titles as a rider and later with four titles as team manager. Is a huge satisfaction to be made a legend of motorcycle racing by the FIM. Besides the prizes, the passion to continue succeeding and doing things right is still intact. Furthermore, it is always cause for joy to see your efforts recognised.

More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:

Yamaha Motor Racing Receives 2014 FIM Environment Award

Gerno di Lesmo (Italy), 24th November 2014

In recognition of the renewed ISO 14001:2004 and BS_OHSAS 18001:2007 certificates and the successful KISS Mugello initiative (Keep it Shiny and Sustainable), Yamaha Motor Racing is proud to announce that it’s been presented with the 2014 FIM Environment Award.

The important award was presented to Marco Riva, General Manager of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, at the FIM Gala Ceremony held yesterday, Sunday 23rd November 2014 in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) along with Edgar Farrera, Director of Sustainability of the Circuit of The Americas, who were named joint winners for 2014.

Yamaha Motor Racing’s sustainable journey towards achieving this milestone began in 2008, when the organisation decided to change the way it operated. In 2009 the company set the target to manage and minimise risks in order to excel in both health and safety and environmental responsibility. Just one year later YMR was awarded the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System certificate. This accomplishment was followed by the attainment of the BS_OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Management System certificate in 2013, rewarding further efforts to improve working practices.

Both these certificates were renewed earlier this year after the successful three day audit at the Catalunya Grand Prix and at Yamaha Motor Racing Srl’s facilities in Gerno di Lesmo (Italy) as the organisation continues to strive to adopt the best safety and environmental working practices.

The process by which the hospitality units of Movistar Yamaha MotoGP are constructed and broken down is a highlight of Yamaha Motor Racing’s forward thinking approach. The MotoGP community travels across 12 different nations and consists of 2.000 people, not including the 5.000 to 6.000 guests that visit the paddock during the race weekend. This means that health and safety is not an option but a necessity.

All members of the Yamaha MotoGP operation share their learnings and know-how on personnel training, the management of dangerous goods, safety procedures and recycling with motorcycle racing’s key bodies, including the FIM, Dorna, IRTA, and all partners and suppliers to help the entire paddock community to step forward.

The positive changes are not just seen in the paddock; Yamaha Motor Racing’s sustainable project makes a difference for entire race events. In 2013 and 2014 the KISS Mugello initiative had great impact on spectators at the Italian Grand Prix. Yamaha rider’s Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were the first promoters of the project, sending messages on social media that promoted sustainable behaviour and encouraged race attendees to keep the Mugello circuit clean.

The Circuit of The Americas is also committed to the environment and put in great sustainability efforts during the 2014 Grand Prix of The Americas. COTA took the KISS initiative further by encouraging their guests to post pictures on Twitter of them keeping the Circuit of The Americas and MotoGP clean and sustainable. The winning images received MotoGP gear signed by Rossi, who also participated in a special podium ceremony highlighting sustainability.

Lin Jarvis

Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

“I am delighted that Yamaha Motor Racing has been awarded this prestigious award by the FIM and I thank them for their recognition of the efforts of all staff members of our Yamaha MotoGP operation who, under the leadership of YMR General Manager Marco Riva, have contributed throughout our “sustainable journey”. We have been very active over the last six years and we have made significant progress with the way we operate and take care of both health & safety and environmental issues in our entire working process. We will continue like this in the future, constantly looking for ways to improve and also to share our experiences with the whole motorcycle racing community.”

Marco Riva

Yamaha Motor Racing, General Manager

“We are really proud to receive the FIM Environment Award and we want to share this moment with all the people working for Yamaha in Italy, in Japan and with all Movistar Yamaha MotoGP staff working at the race tracks. I want to thank the FIM, Dorna, IRTA, Mugello Circuit and all YMR ‘Green Partners’. This award gives us great motivation to stimulate all parties involved in our beautiful sport to start a new sustainable journey, inspiring the society through our positive behavior.”

More, from a press release issued by Circuit of The Americas:

Circuit of The Americas wins the 2014 Environmental Award for initiatives during MotoGP race

AUSTIN, Texas — Circuit of The Americas has won the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme’s 2014 Environmental Award for its sustainability initiatives during the 2014 MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas.

The FIM Environmental Award encourages greater awareness of environmental concerns within the motorcycling world, and rewards significant contributions to the protection of the environment.The racetrack in Austin, Texas, and Yamaha Motor Racing shared the award, which was presented at the FIM’s season-ending gala in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, on Sunday, November 23.

The award is presented annually to individuals, clubs, manufacturers, circuits, or other organizations that have distinguished themselves by promoting environmental stewardship in the field of motorcycle racing.

“This prize is a testament to the dedication that the sport and our fans, staff, and volunteers have to caring for our shared environment,” said Edgar Farrera, Circuit of the Americas’ Director of Sustainability. “We are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts.”

Circuit of The Americas was recognized for its efforts during the MotoGP event April 11-13, 2014, including:

• Providing 182,500 kilowatt hours of clean renewable energy via Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program — enough electricity to power 17 homes for one year;
• Diverting 25 percent of waste materials from landfills: 6.37 tons of recycling and 1.86 tons of composting — nearly 50 times the weight of two-time world champion Marc Marquez’s Repsol-Honda RC213V motorcycle;
• Offsetting 3,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mt CO2e) via certified carbon credits;
• Dispensing 11,000 liters of free water to guests — enough to keep 23,000 water bottles out of landfills;
• Being the first racetrack in North America to implement the FIM’s KiSS (Keep it Shiny and Sustainable) program; and
• Encouraging guests to support the KiSS program by posting images to Twitter of themselves keeping Circuit of The Americas and MotoGP clean and sustainable.

The initiatives are part of Circuit of The Americas’ ongoing commitment to sustainability and the environment, including year-round recycling and composting initiatives, tall-grass prairie restoration and alternative-energy vehicle races. “We are grateful to the FIM for their commitment to our planet’s future, and appreciate that they have recognized our efforts.” Circuit Chairman Bobby Epstein said.