Akrapovič the number one choice to be #1 Akrapovič is officially the number one choice for competition exhausts. With over 50 world-class championship contenders supported by the Slovenian exhaust manufacturer in 2012, the tally of 64 championship wins aided by Akrapovič over 21 years will surely rise in dramatic style by season end. Throughout 2012, Akrapovič exhausts will be used by teams and riders in every discipline of two-wheeled competition; from circuit to off-road, to open road racing such as the prestigious Isle of Man TT. The reasons why so many motorcycle motorsport teams and riders opt for Akrapovič are obvious; firstly the results throughout the years speak volumes. Secondly, performance gains, durability and light weight are important requisites for an exhaust and these come as standard from Akrapovič care of extensive design, testing and quality manufacturing processes in high-tech, modern facilities. There now follows a selection of just a few of the teams and racing activities supported by Akrapovič during 2012. FIM Road Racing World Championship In MotoGP, the elite class of closed circuit racing, Akrapovič is now an Official Sponsor to Yamaha Factory Racing and, for the second year running, produces bespoke exhaust systems for the title-chasing YZR-M1 machines of Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies. Akrapovič also supplies the teams Speedmaster (ART Aprilia) and NGM Mobile Forward-Racing (Suter-BMW) of the newly formed CRT class within MotoGP. Moto2 is regarded as the stepping stone to MotoGP, and for 2012 there is a substantial presence of strong teams with impressive riders using Akrapovič exhausts. Highly rated Marc Marquez and his Monlau Competicion (Suter) machine are to be watched, as are riders Alex De Angelis and Yuki Takahashi of NGM Mobile Forward-Racing (Suter), Thomas Luthi of Interwetten-Paddock Moto2 (Suter), to name but a few. Moto3 is an all-new 250cc four-stroke class for 2012, but already Akrapovič has a strong presence in this division. The official KTM factory team of Red Bull KTM heads up the list of teams utilising the strengths of Akrapovič. FIM Endurance World Championship Yamaha France-GMT 94-Michelin Yamalube and Monster Energy Yamaha YART are just two of the top flight teams striving for victory in this gladiatorial championship. The likes of BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent and TT Legends Team (Honda) will also be competing with the might of Akrapovič behind them. FIM Superbike World Championship Aprilia Racing Team, BMW Motorrad Motorsport, and BMW Motorrad Italia Goldbet SBK Team are just three of the teams lined up once again to compete for the spoils of the Superbike World Championship and all with the aid of Akrapovič. Home-nation Superbike racing also receives strong support from Akrapovič in 2012. BSB (British Superbike) is a major focal point for factory teams and is represented with the likes of Swan Yamaha and Honda Racing. Germany’s IDM Superbike and its French equivalent FSBK will also see Akrapovič on the starting grids. Off-road Many Akrapovič supported Motocross teams and riders will be looking to dominate their respective classes (MX1, MX2 etc) throughout 2012. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be a force to be reckoned with but will face tough opposition from the likes of Monster Energy Yamaha and Rockstar Suzuki World MX1. Husqvarna will be keen to make a serious impact in MX2 with Husqvarna Ricci Racing. Enduro is set to be hotly contested and very much viewed discipline this year. The high level of entries will guarantee action and excitement of a grand scale in all classes. Of course, Akrapovič will be represented on a large scale with teams such as: * KTM Enduro Factory Racing * Husaberg Factory Team * Honda Johansson mpe * Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team”¦ Rally and Akrapovič serve up excitement in equal measures, so when they come together expect both names to be high on the podium in the form of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and MRW KTM Factory Racing. Competition FMX continues to thrill worldwide and Akrapovič representation can be easily be seen with the likes of FMX4Ever. Slavko Trstenjak, head of Akrapovič Racing R&D, commented: “Competition is the very backbone of every motorcycle exhaust Akrapovič produces. The same design ethos is carried through from unique racing projects to customer street/off-road systems. “Our constant investment in new technology and design reaps rewards for both Akrapovič and its customers. Akrapovič is proud to be associated with so many teams and riders in 2012 because it shows a high level of confidence are apparent in our products. Of course, with 64 championship wins already aided by Akrapovič, the results also speak for themselves”¦”