AKRAPOVIČ EXHAUST SYSTEMS
A pioneer in its field, Akrapovič is widely recognized as a highly innovative materials technology company. The brand is synonymous with the highest level of design, performance enhancement and the creation of an unmistakable deeply resonant exhaust sound. The company’s products are designed and manufactured for motorcycles and performance cars by a passionate and highly-skilled workforce of over 800 employees using the latest technology, processes and finest materials. The Racing R&D department works with dozens of racing teams. Over 100 world champions have already relied on Akrapovič exhaust systems. And this is just the beginning of a long exciting ride.
1970s-1990
Igor Akrapovič winning racing titles and looking for perfection
The company's founder, Igor Akrapovič, gains priceless experience with a successful championship-winning ten-year career as a motorcycle racer. In the search for perfection in tuning racing motorcycles he enthusiastically decides to launch the development and manufacturing of the technically most advance exhaust systems in the world.
1991
Akrapovič is founded
The company is based on the founder's personal motorcycle racing experiences, particularly Igor's feeling for four-stroke engines. More specifically racing engines and in terms of how to best tune them for optimum power and sound.
1993
International motorsports breakthrough
Kawasaki Deutschland tests an Akrapovič race exhaust system. This is the beginning of major cooperation with numerous teams in the Pro Superbike Championship (Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati and honda) leading to a series of wins and World Championship titles.
1997
First victory in WSBK
The company celebrates their first victory in an individual Superbike race with Akira Yanagawa, Japan, on a Kawasaki sporting an Akrapovič race exhaust. Soon afterwards, every single Japanese team in the Superbike World Championship uses Akrapovič race exhaust systems.
1999
New state-of-the-art facilities
In less than a decade, Akrapovič has grown from a small workshop-style company to a company with worldwide prominence, built on racing victories. Akrapovič moves from their workshop into a substantially bigger and more state-of-the-art factory.
2000
First World Championship title in WSBK
Colin Edwards, USA, wins Akrapovič's first SBK World Championship title, racing on his Castrol Honda SP-01. The Akrapovič entry into the SBK World Championship is followed by victories in important national championships: the American AMA Superbike and the Japanese All Japan Superbike Championship.
2002
Entry into MotoGP Class
Akrapovič begin a long-term cooperation with Honda, Kawasaki and Aprilia factory teams.
2004
Introduced to Formula 1
Akrapovič manufactures a race exhaust system for a Formula 1 race car that is used by one of the top racing teams.
2007
A new logo is introduced
As the company decided to operate solely under the founder's family name, Akrapovič, the main features of the logo remained the same.
2008
First victory at Nurburgring
Manthey-Racing at the ADAC 24-Hour Race at Nurburgring delivered the company's first victory in 24-hour endurance car racing with a Porsche 997 RSR.
2009
Track Days
The year ends with a bang: in additional to numerous successes and winning twelve motor racing world Championships, Manthey Racing again wins the Nurburgring 24 hour with a Porsche race car equipped with an Akrapovič exhaust system. On top of this, the Akrapovič a-workx team wins the German Porsche Sports Cup in its rookie season.
2009
Launch of Akrapovič foundry
The company makes a great leap forward with a new cutting-edge foundry. It is their fourth major division in addition to motorcycle exhaust systems, car exhaust systems and composite products.
2010
In the land of the free
The first subsidiary, Akrapovič America LLC, based in Irvine, California is established. After getting many "Best Brand" awards, the company is voted the most popular among readers of a German car magazine, Sport Auto.
2011
Platinum Anniversary
Akrapovič celebrate 20 years in business. They are also deeply involved in MotoGP with the Yamaha and Suzuki factory teams as a part of the Akrapovič largest-ever motorcycle racing program.
2012
First car world titles
"Official Partner" status with Audi Sport is confirmed. Akrapovič participate at the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship. This endurance race series includes the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which Audi wins in 2010, 2011 and 2012 with a fitted Akrapovič race exhaust. An Audi R18 e-tron quattro racing car, equipped with an Akrapovič exhaust system, wins the first world championship title for Akrapovič on four wheels.
2012
A memorable racing season
The World Champion count hits 74 in the motorcycle world, with further thirteen titles in 2012 in all motorcycle racing formats. The company wins their first MotoGP title thanks to Jorge Lorenzo and the Yamaha Factory Racing team.
2013
Even more racing wins
Akrapovič partnership with Aston Martin Racing, the yardstick in the FIA WEC GT championship, is off to a triumphant start. The year starts with a victory in the famous Dakar rally; Cyril Despres proves invincible with his KTM equipped with an Akrapovič racing exhaust system. A motorcycle legend Valentio Rossi returns to the Yamaha camp, bagging his first win since 2010 at the Dutch GP in Assen. The Doctor wins again with an Akrapovič exhaust system.
2014
Expansion and Red Dot Award
After winning the first double victory in the world-renowned Dakar Rally in the car and motor categories, Akrapovič announced a new partnership with Ducati Corse in the MotoGP series. The company also won the Red Dot: Best of the Best award in the Product Design category for the Akrapovič Evolution Line (Titanium) for the Ducati 1199 Panigale. In August, production started moving to a new location in Črnomelj in order to meet the increasing demand for our products, and October was marked by the launch of a new exhaust shape that announced a revolution in exhaust technology development.
I hope you have enjoyed a brief history of Akrapovič! Thanks for taking a look!
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Originally Posted by osugsxr
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