LOT 455
Ex-James Ellison, Yonny Hernández, Michael Laverty, Paul Bird Motorsport 2012 Aprilia ART 1,000cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. PBM ART 001 G
Sold for £32,200 inc. premium
Lot 455
Ex-James Ellison, Yonny Hernández, Michael Laverty, Paul Bird Motorsport, 2012 Aprilia ART 1,000cc Grand Prix Racing MotorcycleRegistration no. not registered Frame no. PBM ART 001 G
The Autumn Sale - The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, Stafford|9 October 2021, 12:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
Ex-James Ellison, Yonny Hernández, Michael Laverty, Paul Bird Motorsport
2012 Aprilia ART 1,000cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. PBM ART 001 G
2012 Aprilia ART 1,000cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. PBM ART 001 G
• Factory-built Aprilia RSV4 engine
• Purchased directly from Paul Bird Motorsport
• Running condition
• Display tyres (not for any other use)
The machine offered here belongs to what can now be seen as a 'passing phase' of MotoGP history: the CRT era. Faced with escalating costs and dwindling participation (at the 2011 Australian GP there were only 14 starters and 10 finishers in the premier class) MotoGP series owners Dorna came up with a lower-cost 'Claiming Rule Teams' (CRT) category to run alongside the factory prototypes. The idea was that CRT teams would run production-based engines in prototype chassis, and that engines would be claimable by factory teams for a set fee of €25,000, though why a factory team would want to acquire a tuned road-bike engine was never explained. In the event, none ever did.
The introduction of CRT for the 2012 season coincided with the switch from 800cc to 1,000cc engines with a maximum permitted bore size of 81mm. Aprilia's offering in the CRT class was powered by the V4 engine of their RSV4 production superbike, which in MotoGP specification produced around 230bhp. Engines would be returned to the Aprilia factory when in need of rebuilding.
British multi-millionaire businessman Paul Bird had been involved with the British and World Superbike Championships in the past, and the (relatively) low-cost CRT formula gave him the opportunity to compete at the highest level of motorcycle sport: MotoGP. Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) was one of three teams leasing machines from Aprilia in 2012, the others being Came Ioda and Speed Master. PBM's sole rider for the 2012 season was Cumbrian James Ellison, who came to the team with an impressive palmarès, having twice been European Superstock Champion (2000 and 2001) and Endurance World Champion (2003). He was also no stranger to MotoGP, having raced for the Blata-sponsored WCM team in 2005, scoring seven points while riding an under-powered machine. His attitude and ability impressed the paddock, earning him a ride with the Tech 3 Yamaha team for 2006. Spells in AMA, British Superbikes and World Supersport followed before Ellison got the call from Paul Bird that returned him to MotoGP in 2012. After a shaky start to the season, which saw him finish out of the points in the first three rounds, Ellison upped his game and became a regular top-15 finisher. Out of the championship's 18 rounds, he failed to finish only four times and scored points on 12 occasions, with a best finish of 9th at both Sepang and Valencia. Ellison ended the season 16th overall (4th in CRT) with 35 points. He was not retained for 2013 and returned to BSB. New signing Yonny Hernández inherited the ex-Ellison bikes when he joined the team for 2013 (see Lot ???) and they were also used by his team-mate, Michael Laverty.
Phil Morris bought this machine - one of two available for Ellison's use during 2012 - directly from Paul Bird Motorsport together with a substantial quantity of spares. The machine also comes with a file of paperwork relating to its purchase, plus technical data, photographs, etc and a copy of the 2012 MotoGP season sponsors' report. In terms of both specification and condition it is 'as last raced' at Valencia in November 2012. Since coming into Phil Morris's collection, this Aprilia ART has been ridden on display laps by John McGuinness, Steve Plater, Ian Hutchinson, and Peter Hickman.
Given the factories' current policy of retaining machines run by satellite teams, rather than selling them on, the chances of obtaining a former MotoGP machine are now slim indeed. As such, this Aprilia ART represents a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine MotoGP motorcycle possessing impeccable provenance. It should be noted that this machine is fitted with Bridgestone display tyres, which are not for use either with starting rollers or on the road/track.
A selection of spares relating to this lot will be sold as part of our online sale in December. Further details to follow.
• Purchased directly from Paul Bird Motorsport
• Running condition
• Display tyres (not for any other use)
The machine offered here belongs to what can now be seen as a 'passing phase' of MotoGP history: the CRT era. Faced with escalating costs and dwindling participation (at the 2011 Australian GP there were only 14 starters and 10 finishers in the premier class) MotoGP series owners Dorna came up with a lower-cost 'Claiming Rule Teams' (CRT) category to run alongside the factory prototypes. The idea was that CRT teams would run production-based engines in prototype chassis, and that engines would be claimable by factory teams for a set fee of €25,000, though why a factory team would want to acquire a tuned road-bike engine was never explained. In the event, none ever did.
The introduction of CRT for the 2012 season coincided with the switch from 800cc to 1,000cc engines with a maximum permitted bore size of 81mm. Aprilia's offering in the CRT class was powered by the V4 engine of their RSV4 production superbike, which in MotoGP specification produced around 230bhp. Engines would be returned to the Aprilia factory when in need of rebuilding.
British multi-millionaire businessman Paul Bird had been involved with the British and World Superbike Championships in the past, and the (relatively) low-cost CRT formula gave him the opportunity to compete at the highest level of motorcycle sport: MotoGP. Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) was one of three teams leasing machines from Aprilia in 2012, the others being Came Ioda and Speed Master. PBM's sole rider for the 2012 season was Cumbrian James Ellison, who came to the team with an impressive palmarès, having twice been European Superstock Champion (2000 and 2001) and Endurance World Champion (2003). He was also no stranger to MotoGP, having raced for the Blata-sponsored WCM team in 2005, scoring seven points while riding an under-powered machine. His attitude and ability impressed the paddock, earning him a ride with the Tech 3 Yamaha team for 2006. Spells in AMA, British Superbikes and World Supersport followed before Ellison got the call from Paul Bird that returned him to MotoGP in 2012. After a shaky start to the season, which saw him finish out of the points in the first three rounds, Ellison upped his game and became a regular top-15 finisher. Out of the championship's 18 rounds, he failed to finish only four times and scored points on 12 occasions, with a best finish of 9th at both Sepang and Valencia. Ellison ended the season 16th overall (4th in CRT) with 35 points. He was not retained for 2013 and returned to BSB. New signing Yonny Hernández inherited the ex-Ellison bikes when he joined the team for 2013 (see Lot ???) and they were also used by his team-mate, Michael Laverty.
Phil Morris bought this machine - one of two available for Ellison's use during 2012 - directly from Paul Bird Motorsport together with a substantial quantity of spares. The machine also comes with a file of paperwork relating to its purchase, plus technical data, photographs, etc and a copy of the 2012 MotoGP season sponsors' report. In terms of both specification and condition it is 'as last raced' at Valencia in November 2012. Since coming into Phil Morris's collection, this Aprilia ART has been ridden on display laps by John McGuinness, Steve Plater, Ian Hutchinson, and Peter Hickman.
Given the factories' current policy of retaining machines run by satellite teams, rather than selling them on, the chances of obtaining a former MotoGP machine are now slim indeed. As such, this Aprilia ART represents a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine MotoGP motorcycle possessing impeccable provenance. It should be noted that this machine is fitted with Bridgestone display tyres, which are not for use either with starting rollers or on the road/track.
A selection of spares relating to this lot will be sold as part of our online sale in December. Further details to follow.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness, and originality prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
The engine number is E049-10-01 OPEN.
Additional information
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