Honda announces CRF150 series in the GP's

mxrose3
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Edited Date/Time 10/16/2012 9:12am
Any comments on this??
From RacerX:

Honda is pleased to announce together with Youthstream the Honda 150 European championship, which is a new race series for young riders at Grand Prix events for the next three years.

This exciting new series will be running in conjunction with the FIM MX1 and MX2 championship at a maximum of eight European rounds for youngsters aged 11-14. It is a one-make series, and riders will be provided with the proven CRF150R fourstroke machines to battle it out for championship glory with the race ready package Honda is offering.

The concept is a simple one, as riders only have to focus on the races, they will be able to arrive at each event with Honda staff caring for transportation, maintenance and organisation of the machines, including a hospitality area. Honda staff will ensure the riders have the motorcycles set for the best performance, and a coach will follow their progress from a sporting point of view to help them improve in the competition in a professional way.

The goal of this championship is to establish a professional career ladder and a pyramid style plan to discover young talent, as well as help the federations grow up the next generation of champions. With this in mind, Honda will offer the winner of the Honda 150 European championship the opportunity to race in the EMX250 championship the following season with a supported place in a Honda team. So from 2014 a Honda 150 European Champion will join the EMX250 series from the youth series, which is a first in the MX community.

Finally, as if that isn’t enough, a training school will be offered to the youngsters before the start of the season, and at the end of the year the CRF150R machine used in the series will become the rider’s property with no charge.



Roger Harvey: Honda Motor Europe Off-Road Manager
“This is an exciting time for Honda, as we make the next step in our plan after the success of the Honda Xtreme Academy to grow up young talent. This is a great opportunity for youngsters to compete at Grand Prix tracks from a young age, while learning how to race a fourstroke bike, which is in synergy with the MX1 and MX2 series at the highest level. We will be offering mentoring and coaching to the riders, along with an easily accessible chance to race on similar machinery, so competition should be fierce and totally down to the rider ability. We are also looking forward to welcoming the champion of the series into a Honda team the following year on the bigger bike, as well as allowing riders to showcase their talent in front of the World Championship paddock.”



Giuseppe Luongo: Youthstream President

"We are extremely excited to start this new European Championship with Honda, as this partnership is another important stone for the development of motocross and for giving our young riders more possibilities to race."


More details will follow soon about the cost of taking part in the series and the location of the races, but riders who are considering taking part can register their interest by logging on to: www.honda150championship.com/register
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newmann
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10/1/2012 7:53pm
They can't sell them so they are paying people to race them and take them off their hands??
mxrose3
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10/1/2012 8:07pm
those were kind of my thoughts too. Especially considering the quote from Roger Harvey: "This is a great opportunity for youngsters to compete at Grand Prix tracks from a young age, while learning how to race a fourstroke bike, which is in synergy with the MX1 and MX2 series at the highest level."
I thought it was better to teach youngsters on two strokes?
newmann
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10/1/2012 8:16pm
Desperation.
Guess the big red wing isn't digging the popularity of the UEM 125 class. Sounds like they are throwing a shit-ton of money at promoting that ugly little bike hoping for the best.

The Shop

VET176
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10/1/2012 9:00pm
"More details will follow soon about the cost of taking part in the series and the location of the races,...."

Bet they avoid the sand rounds like the plague!
TFS
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10/1/2012 9:03pm
It won't be cheap. But, Jr gets a bike at a lot of cool places. It's not a poor person's project. It's for people that have money that want in.
seth505
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10/1/2012 9:20pm
I hope a 125 class friggin runs it out of town....
10/2/2012 12:39am
newmann wrote:
They can't sell them so they are paying people to race them and take them off their hands??
This ^^^^^^^^

As far as I have seen/read, the CRF150 is getting no publicity in Europe (or the rest of the world come to think of it) for winning anything as it simply doesn't so they need something to remind us folks that they are still available......ugly POS.
themrtoad
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10/2/2012 12:45am
I hope they fail and that I never have to see a 150 again. They are clearly desperate...Typical Honda to create a class that forces everybody to ride a 4stroke Honda. They done this shit in roadracing too where I miss those underful 250 twostrokes. Now all are 600cc Honda powered bikes in the old 250-class. Fuck Honda
onthepipe
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10/2/2012 12:51am
WTF, some fucked op shit!
MBR
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10/2/2012 2:30am
I heard some rumors about the price of this program for the rider and actually it's not that bad, especially since you got to keep (sell) the bike afterwards. I think what ever support factories can offer for junior riders it's always a good thing.
newmann
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10/2/2012 4:10am
MBR wrote:
I heard some rumors about the price of this program for the rider and actually it's not that bad, especially since you got to keep (sell)...
I heard some rumors about the price of this program for the rider and actually it's not that bad, especially since you got to keep (sell) the bike afterwards. I think what ever support factories can offer for junior riders it's always a good thing.
Supporting a few riders and screwing over the rest of the sport is a good thing?
Jakes Dad
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10/2/2012 4:18am Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 4:19am
Talent level will be sub par, the established top tier riders won't switch brands just to get in front of a GP crowd.
Just as it was here for the few Honda 150 nationals the AMA had.
mmcmx
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10/2/2012 4:27am
Honda sucks.
pete24
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10/2/2012 6:18am
that stupid little bike is the only model discounted more than the yz450 around here, funny all the yz and ktm two strokes do all the money and sell through each year, the series is going to be a joke and luongo will prolly see it not making him any money and send it to oblivian with the womens world championship series
10/2/2012 6:42am
seth505 wrote:
I hope a 125 class friggin runs it out of town....
It's not really competing with a 125 class is it?

If KTM and the other 125 mfg's want to poney up, Luongo will offer the class wont he?

The MX1 and MX2 classes dont exist without the support of the mfg's. So why should it be any different for the 125 class?

Hell, even DC has said many a times here that if a mfg steps up to the plate, he'd gladly offer the class in the alternate rounds of the WMX series. But someone has to foot the bill for it. The promoters (YS or MXS) job is to offer classes they can sell sponsorship for. Their is nobody willing to pay to fund the class, that is the only reason it isnt being offered. This isnt a local race that is dependent on entries to make a profit. Totally different tier of racing and totally different economic model.

I wish they'd turn the MX3 class into the 125 and offer it on both sides of the pond as much as anyone. But its up to the OEMs that produce them.
Denn700
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10/2/2012 7:00am
Honda needs to seriously revamp that bike. It's not even competitive with most 85's. I don't mind a 150 class as long as there is a 125cc class and an 85cc class. I would like to see the big wheel version more competitive with a 125 than an 85. Then they could run it in the 125 class against the two strokes. I have heard you can make those bikes pretty fast. If I had a kid racing the 85 class I would start him off on a RM85 or KX85 in the 7-11 class then after that he would be on a TM or KTM. TM and KTM are the only ones who update there mini's often and those bikes look trick. I bet a stock TM or KTM 85 is faster than a KX 100.
10/2/2012 8:04am
How does this work? Honda brings the bikes to the races (a GP track?) and little johnny gets to ride a few laps and go home? Honda techs maintain and set up the bikes (including suspension wtf?). How can this possibly be less expensive than buying your own frggin bike? What are the kids supposed to practice on? Playstation 3? Are the kids allowed to have a non-Hon as their personal bike (doubt that will happen. Dealers aren't even allowed to carry non-honda used bikes)
I thought mxa was harsh on luongo, but the fact he is going along with this fanta$$$$y world show the criticism is deserved.
H should call it a day and stick to cars and airplanes and robots. Same sht we get in Canada. The washouts from the car division and europe are sent here to get rid of them.
10/2/2012 8:27am Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 8:27am
The European MX scene isn't friendly to them from what I've read in the past so they had to make their own series. A lot of the federations don't wan't expensive 4 strokes in inexpensive youth amateur racing. If you're clients (race parents) go broke you have no revenue coming in.
10/2/2012 9:46am Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 9:47am
It's not really competing with a 125 class is it? If KTM and the other 125 mfg's want to poney up, Luongo will offer the class...
It's not really competing with a 125 class is it?

If KTM and the other 125 mfg's want to poney up, Luongo will offer the class wont he?

The MX1 and MX2 classes dont exist without the support of the mfg's. So why should it be any different for the 125 class?

Hell, even DC has said many a times here that if a mfg steps up to the plate, he'd gladly offer the class in the alternate rounds of the WMX series. But someone has to foot the bill for it. The promoters (YS or MXS) job is to offer classes they can sell sponsorship for. Their is nobody willing to pay to fund the class, that is the only reason it isnt being offered. This isnt a local race that is dependent on entries to make a profit. Totally different tier of racing and totally different economic model.

I wish they'd turn the MX3 class into the 125 and offer it on both sides of the pond as much as anyone. But its up to the OEMs that produce them.
WMX national series is done as of last month. Next year it will be raced at amateur rounds (technically still a national but not run on the same day as the mens nationals).

DC mentioned something about a replacement series a while back but no details yet. Wouldn't hold my breath for any 125 series. Maybe a 150 style series like this thread discusses. Follow the money!
Team Ideal
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10/2/2012 10:25am
the AMA is voting on letting the 150 in the 85 class here in the states next year. let your rep know how you feel or you may be seeing a lot more of them around.
2T42
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10/2/2012 10:45am
themrtoad wrote:
I hope they fail and that I never have to see a 150 again. They are clearly desperate...Typical Honda to create a class that forces everybody...
I hope they fail and that I never have to see a 150 again. They are clearly desperate...Typical Honda to create a class that forces everybody to ride a 4stroke Honda. They done this shit in roadracing too where I miss those underful 250 twostrokes. Now all are 600cc Honda powered bikes in the old 250-class. Fuck Honda
X2 on all above ^^^

Honda sure is stubborn.
The 150 has failed more than once so just throw more money at it.
Not good for the sport and not good for kids safety.

The 150F weighs more than a full size 250 2 stroke and is dangerous for kids. Period.
234 pounds curb weight.

http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=6687-en

I think this is recklessness in the name of profit.

If you have to give it away, what is it worth?
LOL
10/2/2012 11:28am
WMX national series is done as of last month. Next year it will be raced at amateur rounds (technically still a national but not run on...
WMX national series is done as of last month. Next year it will be raced at amateur rounds (technically still a national but not run on the same day as the mens nationals).

DC mentioned something about a replacement series a while back but no details yet. Wouldn't hold my breath for any 125 series. Maybe a 150 style series like this thread discusses. Follow the money!
Sorry. I must have missed the WMX news. I wasnt paying attention. Thanks for the heads up.
BobTheBuilder
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10/2/2012 11:30am
themrtoad wrote:
I hope they fail and that I never have to see a 150 again. They are clearly desperate...Typical Honda to create a class that forces everybody...
I hope they fail and that I never have to see a 150 again. They are clearly desperate...Typical Honda to create a class that forces everybody to ride a 4stroke Honda. They done this shit in roadracing too where I miss those underful 250 twostrokes. Now all are 600cc Honda powered bikes in the old 250-class. Fuck Honda
^^^^^^^I couldn't have said it any better.
MBR
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10/2/2012 11:31am Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 11:34am
I remember this one guy that could have been something, but then he destroyed his career by riding CRF 150 ; ) Nice Red Bull Jams video on Monster Army page (and yes he is riding both 2t and 4t in this video):
http://www.monsterarmy.com/members/barcia/media/3635b44a-94e8-426b-8485…
BobTheBuilder
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10/2/2012 11:45am
WMX national series is done as of last month. Next year it will be raced at amateur rounds (technically still a national but not run on...
WMX national series is done as of last month. Next year it will be raced at amateur rounds (technically still a national but not run on the same day as the mens nationals).

DC mentioned something about a replacement series a while back but no details yet. Wouldn't hold my breath for any 125 series. Maybe a 150 style series like this thread discusses. Follow the money!
MX sports wants to put the CRF150R in the 85 class. They ignored the AMA ruling last year and allowed the 150 into the 85 sr class after the AMA said no. Typical of MX sports to snug up to the OEMs nuts instead of doing what's best for the sport. They are standing with Honda in their push to get them legalized in all 85 classes again this year.

DC = MX sports = 4 strokes taking over minicycles...............everyone understand? Everyone needs to let their AMA district rep and MX sports know that we don't want the 85 class ruined.
OldYZRider1
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10/2/2012 12:17pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 12:18pm
Looks like an implementation of the old IROC car racing series concept applied to motocross as has been discussed here in other threads.

I imagine Honda's hoping that everyone racing the series will be buying a practice bike(s) to use betweeen races. The concept sounds like it could result in the riders ability (and luck) being showcased prominently.

Of course if Honda does well with it, we'll probably see them try to implement something like it in the pro series here (for each displacement class everyone rides the same bike). I think they've been taking steps towards this for several years; to put everyone on equal four stroke machinery. Its the only plausible reason I can see to justify the AMA's unwillingness to revise the rules to give the two strokes parity with the fours performance in the pro ranks. Maybe they'll modify it to require the manufacturer's to bid on being the bike supplier each year. It'll all go to the Japanese manufacturers from then on if thats the case; they'll all throw in together to ensure one of them gets it.
10/2/2012 12:18pm
The European MX scene isn't friendly to them from what I've read in the past so they had to make their own series. A lot of...
The European MX scene isn't friendly to them from what I've read in the past so they had to make their own series. A lot of the federations don't wan't expensive 4 strokes in inexpensive youth amateur racing. If you're clients (race parents) go broke you have no revenue coming in.
I can say that you are 100% correct. The feeling Ive gotten is that the racers/families are tired of the 4 stroke experiment.

It's definitely a smart consumer on the right side of the pond.
peelout
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10/2/2012 12:23pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2012 1:02pm
death of the sport

what next, 4 stroke 115 in the 65 class?

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