MUGEN (M-TEC MOTORSPORT) JOINS THE FIM E-XPLORER WORLD CUP
MUGEN Joins FIM E-Xplorer World Cup, announced mid 2021. The Japanese racing outfit M-TEC Motorsport (MUGEN), will participate in the inaugural FIM E-Xplorer World Cup scheduled to take place in 2022, with the option of entering the championship as a factory team.
Founded in 1973 by Hirotoshi Honda, M-TEC has been one of the most successful motorsport outfits for two and four wheels. Hirotoshi began the company as a tuning business and a manufacturer of OEM parts for his father’s business, Honda. Along the years, it evolved into a company that developed the most competitive racing engines in Japan.
We are very pleased to be registered as an Official Manufacturer of the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup. We are confident that this race will be the best place for us to apply the know-how we have gained through our participation in the Isle of Man TT-Zero class (EV-Bike class) and the ongoing development of the EV-MX E- REX bike, and to challenge ourselves further.
S. Katsumata, M-TEC Co., Ltd. Managing Director
• The move marks a new chapter in MUGEN’s prestigious competitive history, dating back to its foundation in 1973
• The outfit, known for its commitment to pioneering, innovative and race-winning engineering, seeks to further develop new technology by competing on the street circuits and off-road trails of the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup
• The company sets the precedent for other leading manufacturers to join the new, fast-growing motorsport series and advance electric mobility
After starting with 4 wheelers, the company has seen success with its own custom motocross bikes as well. Since winning the Isle of Man TT for the first time in 1976, it has gone on to dominate the race in recent years, including the all-electric TT-Zero category.
Over the years, M-Tec has proven its ability in motorbikes and racing, including Formula One, Super Formula, and Sportscars, and has now entered a new chapter with joining the new all-electric motorcycle series as a manufacturer.
Beginning in 2022, M-TEC looks forward to using the FIM E-Explorer World Cup as a competitive lab for the development of new and innovative technology for its electric motorbikes. The outfit will compete against a roster of 20 top riders and 10 teams at three grueling circuits and off-road trails around the world as it tests its all-electric technology.
First of all, as an Official Manufacturer, we would like to collaborate on this advanced and wonderful event with the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup starting this year, so that our current know-how in terms of technical and sporting aspects will help lead to the success and development of the event.
S. Katsumata, M-TEC Co., Ltd. Managing Director
The interest shown by M-TEC sets precedent for other motorcycle manufacturers to join the fast-growing global electric motorcycle series. With the Isle of Man TT Races its legacy as the dominant force for electric-powered motorcycles, MUGEN is looking back to its race-winning heritage in both motocross and road bikes to meet this new challenge presented by the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup.
“We’re delighted that a brand like M-TEC, steeped in motorsport history and success, has taken an option to race as a factory team in the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup. Since we established the series as a way of demonstrating and developing pioneering technology in the two-wheeled mobility sector, we’ve had a lot of interest from marques and manufacturers all over the world. True to form, M-TEC has been particularly fast-moving in declaring its interest in the series and, after its dominance in the Isle of Man TT, E-Xplorer would be a logical next step and a significant new challenge for the Japanese outfit. I look forward to having them alongside us as we work towards the inaugural World Cup.”
Valentin Guyonnet, E-Xplorer S.A CEO