Manor passes final crash tests ahead of Australian GP - MotorSportsTalk

Manor Marussia F1 Team has passed the final FIA crash tests ahead of the 2015 Formula 1 season, clearing the last hurdle to take part in next weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

The ex-Marussia operation has enjoyed a remarkable comeback and revival over the winter, which will culminate in its return to racing in Melbourne on March 15.

With a number of its assets being sold off after the company fell into administration, the team is now operating out of a downsized facility, but has managed to produce a car that complies with the 2015 regulations thanks to fresh investment.

Via its official Twitter account, Manor confirmed today that it has passed all of the FIA crash tests with its car for the 2015 season, meaning that it can make the grid for the first race of the season in 10 days’ time.

Our big news of today is that we have now passed the FIA crash tests. Well done team! That’s it – we’re all set for Melbourne! #F1

— Manor F1 Team (@ManorF1Team) March 5, 2015

The team is set to run a 2014-spec car with modifications to bring it inline with the new technical regulations initially this year. A 2015 model will then be introduced at a later point in the season.

Manor has confirmed that British driver Will Stevens will take one of the seats in 2015, with the second still being deliberated by the management at Dinnington.

Stevens completed his seat fitting in the new car on Thursday, with the freight for the Australian Grand Prix flying out of the UK on Friday.

The 2015 F1 season kicks off in Australia on March 15.

Follow @LukeSmithF1

Benny Bloss will race for the factory Beta Motorcycles team in 2024 as that manufacturer joins SuperMotocross as the ninth brand to compete in the series. Beta Motorcycles will make their debut in the Monster Energy Supercross opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California in January.

*Benny Bloss finished among the top 10 twice in Pro Motocross, in 2016 and 2018. – Beta Motorcycles*

“The wait is over and we can finally share everything we have been working towards,” said Carlen Gardner, Race Team Manager in a press release. “It has been a great experience being a part of this development and seeing the progression. The only missing part was finding a rider that would mesh well with our Beta Family.

“After a one phone call with Benny, we knew it would be a good fit for him, and for us. We are happy to have him on board for the next two years and can’t wait to see everyone at Anaheim in January.”

Bloss debuted in the 450 class in 2015 with a 15th-place finish overall at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Bloss has a pair of top-10 rankings in the division with a sixth-place finish in the Pro Motocross Championship in 2016 and a seventh in 2018. His best Supercross season ended 15th in the standings in 2018.

“I’m extremely excited to join the Beta Factory Racing team,” Bloss said. “It’s cool to see a brand with such a rich history in off-road racing to come into the US Supercross and Motocross space. I know this team will be capable of great things as we build and go racing in 2024.”

Bloss is currently 22nd in the SuperMotocross rankings and has not raced in the first two rounds of the Motocross season.

Testing for Beta Motorcycles is scheduled to begin in August and the team expects to announce a second rider at that time.

The family-owned brand adds to the international flare of the sport. The company was founded in Florence, Italy in 1905 as Società Giuseppe Bianchi as they built handmade bicycles, The transition to motorcycle production in the late 1940s.

Beta Motorcycles competed and won in motocross competition in the late 1970s and early 1980s with Jim Pomeroy and other riders.

Beta will join Triumph Motorcycles as a second historic brand to join the sport in 2024. First established in 1902, Triumph has won in nearly every division they have competed in, dating back to their first victory in the 1908 Isle of Man TT. Triumph will debut in the 250 class in 2024 and plans to expand into 450s in 2025.

Read more about SuperMotocross