"Hedge funds are the Wild West of our financial markets, " Hatch said in his opening remarks before testimony began in the nearly three-hour hearing, which examined hedge funds and their at times questionable relationships with independent analysts.

FORBES: Senate Weighs Hedge Fund Regulations

The Manx rider will travel to Spain at the beginning of March to begin testing ahead of April's opening round at Brands Hatch.

BBC: Dan Kneen ready to take on BSB Evo challenge in 2011