HONDA AUSTRALIA:

The Honda Australian Junior Championships wrapped up last weekend in Newry, Victoria on the infamous Maffra-Sale motocross track, proving to be another highly successful week of competition with over 700 entries vying for national supremacy.

For the first time ever, Australia’s best junior racers were given the opportunity to test their skills against the top American and New Zealand racers.

Tony Hinton, Honda Motorcycles General Manager, said he was impressed with the talent on show as well as the professionalism of the event.

“Honda was proud to be associated with the Junior Nationals as the naming rights sponsor again this year. This event is important on many levels. For the riders it gives them a chance to compete against the best from each state and around the globe; for the families, it gives them a chance to spend the week with their children in a safe and friendly environment. For Honda, it gives us a chance to show case our premier motocross machines. Our new 2010 fuel injected CRF250R was on display at the track, and is already getting a lot of interest.”

“Kyle Peters from America riding a Honda 250cc 4-stroke was a standout, and having him in Australia competing against our best will only help lift the level of our national competitors,” Mr Hinton said at the presentation dinner.

“Further congratulations must go to the club for their efforts and to everyone that helped make the event a huge success. It takes a lot of work to run this event and the Maffra-Sale club did an extraordinary job, along with all of the parents and the riders.”

“We are looking forward to the 2010 Honda Australian Junior Titles and our continued support of junior racing. With over 5000 licensed junior riders competing on all levels nationally, we believe it is integral that a major manufacturer such as Honda stay involved.”

Honda motorcycles placed well in many classes and the Honda Thor Racing Team had mixed success in the classes in which they competed. Results overall included four 1st places, five 2nd places and five 3rd places.

Honda Thor Racing Team Quotes:

Matt Philips: (4th overall – 15yrs 250cc 4-stroke)

“I definitely didn’t get the result I was hoping for. I placed a lot of pressure on myself and it had an effect on my racing. Yarrive (Konsky) and I went for a quick ride Saturday morning before my final race and it made a big difference. I relaxed a lot more and focused on my riding, not on where the winners were. I ended up with a 2nd in the final race and really good lap times. I know I should have done better, but at least I finished on a high.”

Jacob Wright: (2nd overall 13-U15yrs 250cc 4-stroke and 2nd overall 13-U15yrs 150cc 2-stroke)

“I finished 2nd to the American Joey Savatgy in both classes. It has given me a good indication on where my speed is on an international level. I was the first Australian through and that also felt good. My 250cc 4-stroke is amazing and I am glad I took the final win of the weekend; I was pushing hard and it took a few races to get on top of Joey’s speed. The team has been awesome and I am looking forward to the remainder of the year.”

Hayden Melross: (10th overall 12-U14yrs 150cc 4-stroke)

“I can’t believe what happened, everything was going to plan. I won the first three races convincingly and then I crashed and broke my collarbone. I am just sorry for the team, our sponsors and my parents. This year had been going well, with wins in the NSW championships and a spot on the world junior team. Anyway, I need to put this behind me and focus on getting better and back on the bike.”

Wade Carter: (1st overall 9-U12yrs 150cc 4-stroke and 3rd 9-U12yrs 85cc 2-stroke)

“It’s been an awesome week. My 150 4-stroke is fast and I really wanted to win. Mum and Dad have been working flat out taking me to practice and Honda Smart has been helping with my riding. The team is great and I can’t believe I am the Australian Champion. The 3rd on the 85cc was also good, especially since it’s a 2007 model.”

Yarrive Konsky (Team Manager)

“All 700 plus participants did an amazing job, as did the club, the officials and all of the volunteers. It’s a huge event that takes a big effort. Our senior team manager and technicians spent the week helping the juniors with their bikes and technical advice. I was very impressed with how professional our riders where in their presentation. Being a part of junior racing gives us a great opportunity to help shape our future champions both off and on the race track.