Teknic Honda kicks off New Season
Honda Australia and Motologic launched their all-new factory Superbike and Supersport teams in Melbourne last night in a gathering that brought together the manufacturer’s hottest international racers.
Honda Australia and Motologic launched their all-new factory Superbike and Supersport teams in Melbourne last night in a gathering that brought together the manufacturer’s hottest international racers in premises that rival those found on the world circuit.
Team Principle and Motologic owner, Paul Free was joined by Honda representatives including Managing Director, Stuart Strickland and Motorcycles General Manager, Tony Hinton to officially open the business, and showcase their new Teknic Honda Team riders.
Launching the operation and running the Honda Team from his own factory has been a "life long dream" for Free who said he has great hopes for the new line-up this year. Those hopefuls include current Australian Supersport Champion, Jason O’Halloran, who has stepped up and will represent the team in the 1000cc class, along with long time Honda rider Glenn Allerton. Twenty-five year old Wayne Maxwell will pilot the CBR600RR in the Supersport class. All three riders, along with Free and his crew, have spent the first two months of the year testing intensively at Phillip Island, Eastern Creek and Winton Raceway where their times have been extremely competitive.
On moving up to the bigger bike, O’Halloran said he is adapting well. "I’m feeling very comfortable already on the CBR1000RR and have spent a lot of time recently to build my upper body strength and put on muscle mass," he said to Master of Ceremonies Ken Wootton and the crowd of media, sponsors and other supporters including Honda sponsored V8 Supercar driver Rick Kelly.
"It’s a great ride, I’m stoked to be back on a Honda and I can’t wait to get out there," the super fit 20-year-old commented.
In the lead up to this weekend’s Phillip Island round of World Superbikes, Honda Australia’s top riders were also joined by HANNspree Stiggy Honda’s Josh Brookes and Robbin Harms, as well as DFX Bertocchi Honda’s Russell Holland. Brookes, who took his best result at the Qatar first round, said it is amazing what a decent break at home will do for performance.
"I had a really relaxing five week break in Australia but also continued to train and get my head ready for the new season," he said on his fourth place result. Allerton also said he is rested, fit and ready for this weekend’s event. "I just did another fitness test with my trainer Anthony Klarica and managed to bring down my swimming times substantially so I’m really happy with the way things are going."
Honda’s Hinton echoed the positive feeling of the new squad. "We have a lot of faith in Paul and in his riders, and have backed the Motologic operation because we are confident they will be able to experience a high degree of success in 2008."
The Teknic Honda Team will compete in this weekend’s support races at Phillip Island.
