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From the Runway to the Race Track –
AirAsia Presents the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan 2012
SEPANG, 16 OCTOBER 2012 –
MotoGP fans in Japan were given a ‘red’ race weekend in Motegi as AirAsia presented the
AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan from October 11 to 14, 2012.
Throughout the weekend, the Twin Ring Motegi circuit was painted red
with AirAsia branding and was completed with AirAsia flight attendants
who were around to interact and pose with fans.
The race was the 15th edition on the MotoGP World Championship calendar for the 2012 season and the first of two races in Asia.
AirAsia
is the title sponsor of the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan for the 2012
and 2013 edition of the MotoGP. Additionally,
the airline is also the title sponsor of the 2012 AirAsia Australian
Grand Prix which will be taking place from October 25 to 20, 2012 and
has the option of extending it to the following year.
The
airline is no stranger in being part of major sporting events such as
the MotoGP as it is also involved in
other sports properties such as Formula 1 as AirAsia is the Official
Partner of the Caterham F1 team and in the English Premier League as the
Official Club Partner of Queens Park Rangers.
Fans
witnessed three thrilling and exhilarating races with Danny Kent
scoring his maiden victory in the Moto3
category followed by Maverick Vinales and Alessandro Tonucci. Racing
for Team AirAsia-SIC-Ajo Motorsport is none other than Malaysia’s sole
competitor in the MotoGP, Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin. Fahmi finished
fifth in the race and is currently placed seventh
in the championship standings with 92 points. The 20 year-old is aiming
for a podium finish at his home race in Sepang at the Malaysian
Motorcycle Grand Prix happening this weekend.
In
the MotoGP category Dani Pedrosa closed the championship gap between
him and fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo
after crossing the finish line first in his Honda in the MotoGP
category with Lorenzo finishing second. Alvaro Bautista who finished
third made it an all-Spanish podium finish. The race in Motogi also
featured 2011 MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner who made
his comeback after missing the last three races due to injuries
sustained after crashing at the Indianapolis Grand Prix.
The Moto2 also produced another Spanish 1,2,3 finish with championship leader Marc Marquez extending his lead
in the championship after finishing first, followed by Pol Espargaro and Esteve Rabat.
AirAsia Japan CEO Kazuyuki Iwakata was on hand to present trophies to all the winners in the three categories.
AirAsia Group Head of Commercial Kathleen Tan
said, “Our
foray in MotoGP began in 2009 and I am glad that it has been extended to
this year with the sponsorship of these two races. Sports sponsorships
such as this
has allowed us to connect, engage and build a closer with our guest
whilst sharing with them their passion and interests.”
“This
is the third year AirAsia is sponsoring a MotoGP race and our
involvement with with MotoGP further extends
to our sponsorship of Team AirAsia Sepang International Circuit Ajo
Motorsport, with rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin. This is a testament of our
commitment to drive the development of youths especially from the ASEAN
region. We hope to create more talents, more
of our stars, our own content and our own heroes while at the same time
making dreams come true for talents like Fahmi.”
**ENDS**
Captions are as follows:
Picture 1: AirAsia flight attendants at the grid of the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan 2012.
Picture 2: The start of the Moto3 race at the AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan 2012.
Picture
3: AirAsia Japan CEO Mr Kazuyuki Iwakata presenting the trophies of the
MotoGP category winners at the AirAsia Grand Prix
of Japan 2012.
Anita Hadi
Communication
Tel : +6012 322 2154
Email : anitahayatimhadi@airasia.com
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