First sight of the PBM-01

CRT team Paul Bird Motorsport are expanding next season. From a single rider on the “spec” ART machine in 2012, to a two rider effort, and a unique bike in 2013.

Paul Bird has recruited Brit Michael Laverty and Colombian Yonny Hernandez for next season, and although the pair will be team mates, they won’t be on the same bike. Hernandez will be on the ART that James Ellison rode last season, while MotoGP rookie Michael Laverty will be on the new PBM-01.

The PBM-01 is a bike that is being built in house using a chassis developed by GPMS (who made the chassis’ for the Kenny Roberts MotoGP team) but it will still use an Aprilia RSV4 engine, much like his team mate. It will be using a Magneti Marelli ECU from Dorna a season before they become mandatory to all CRT teams.

Recently on twitter team owner Paul Bird showed his followers how the new bike is getting on. And he posted a couple of pictures of how his new bike is looking at the moment.

Michael Laverty and the PBM-01 will both be debuting in Malaysia in just under a months time when the MotoGP teams reconvene for the first test of 2013.