Image: Foremost Media.

Penrite Oil and the Konsky Motorsport-operated Honda team have parted ways prior to 2021, the pair formally announcing their separation moving forward following a longstanding partnership.

Initially supporting the team in 2013 before becoming the naming-rights partner from 2014, Penrite is synonymous with the factory Honda organisation in Australia, which has proved a winning combination over seven years together.

While the Honda team under the ownership of Yarrive Konsky is expected to announce its domestic plans on Christmas eve, Penrite continues to be heavily-linked to a title sponsorship bid in the new-look ProMX Australian Motocross Championship. It will also focus on grass roots and localised aspects of the sport, according to today’s announcement, and remains in negotiations to continue as Honda’s Australian Superbike Championship team partner.

“We believe that reinvesting at the grass roots levels of motorcycle racing and making this exciting form of motorsport accessible to all is the most responsible way to provide our support given the current economic climate,” stated Jarrod Harding, Penrite Oil Australia director of motorsport.

“We are very proud of the success that we have enjoyed with our Honda MX and SX footprint over the years and we thank the team and their highly talented riders for their outstanding efforts. We could not have asked for a more demanding showcase for our premium quality lubricants. We wish the team continued success well into the future.”

Konsky Motorsport has been widely-recognised for its ability to attract and sustain immense outside industry support, the team previously being backed by Woodstock Bourbon (2008-2009), Cougar Bourbon (2010) and Carlton Dry (2011-2013) prior to Penrite Oil’s arrival in 2014. There have also been a mixture of individual bike partnerships leveraged at select events throughout that period.

“We have experienced great success during our relationship,” Konsky said. “Penrite has achieved double-digit growth most years and we aided in the development of their products through our team’s testing and winning results. It’s an exciting time for motorcycle racing, the industry is up, there is a new promotor for the motocross championship and we are maintaining our racing program in Australia.

“It’s disappointing to see Penrite take a different direction, but I understand their position and appreciate their years of support. We won seven championships together, which is a credit to everyone involved and I want to thank everyone at Penrite for their support.”

The partnership between Konsky Motorsport and Penrite also included a US effort this year, featuring as title sponsor of the American-based Penrite Honda Racing team that saw Mitchell Oldenburg and the outgoing Luke Clout claim top 10 positions in the Monster Energy Supercross 250SX West standings.

That program will further expand to be led by defending four-time Australian champion Justin Brayton in 450SX beginning in January at Houston’s opener, in addition to two 250SX entries, with a new naming-rights partner to be named in the coming weeks upon the team’s official rider announcement.