Honda races into 2013 with junior programmes

Honda has confirmed its involvement in two one-make racing championships for 2013 with a view to developing the Honda champions of tomorrow on both tarmac and dirt.

The Honda 150 European Championship will open four-stroke motocross competition to riders aged from 11 to 14 alongside the FIM MX1 World Motocross championship, where they will gain invaluable international experience and learn directly from the world’s greatest MX racers.

At a cost of €9,950 plus VAT for the season, entrants will be given access to a race-ready Honda CRF150R machine, which they keep at the end of the season. The price also includes tyres, servicing, fuel, lubricants, a coaching programme and race management. The winner of the championship will earn a ride* with a Honda-supported team in the 2014 EMX250 series.

The Honda 150 European Championship will have its own dedicated website and riders interested in applying for a place in the series should register their details at:www.honda150championship.com/register.

For slightly older road racers aged between 14 and 19, Honda has agreed to become technical partner to the 2013 European Junior Cup and supply its brand new CBR500R machine, which was launched at EICMA in Milan on 13 November.

The European Junior Cup is a support series at eight rounds of the FIM World Superbike championship, representing another international environment for young Honda riders to put their skills on display in front of some of the most influential people in motorcycle sport, not to mention some of the world’s finest racing talent.

European Junior Cup entrants will receive a race-prepared Honda CBR500R, which they keep after the season is finished, with space for personal sponsors. Tyres, servicing, fuel, lubricants and race management are all included at a season-long price of €19,950 plus VAT.

Additionally, EJC competitors will be eligible for a pre-season training camp in Spain and a season-long coaching programme with specialised tuition from former international racers. The winner of the 2013 Cup will be offered a ride* with a Honda-supported European Superstock 600 team the following year.

Eligible riders interesting in taking part in the 2013 European Junior Cup should register their details atwww.hondaproracing.com/europeanjuniorcup/register.

The European Junior Cup has been organised and managed in recent years by Racedays Promotions, with whom Honda Motor Europe has reached the agreement to become technical partner to the series. Racedays will also manage the Honda 150 European Championship on Honda’s behalf.

Robert Watherston, Motorcycle Sport Manager for Honda Motor Europe commented: “These are two really exciting new championships for young riders that will take place within the structure of the World Motocross and World Superbike championships. Both underline perfectly Honda’s commitment to develop young racing talent in international competition.

“While the CRF150R is a proven race and championship winner in motocross, the CBR500R is an exciting new addition to Honda’s iconic and now six-strong CBR family. It has been engineered with true racing pedigree and a wide appeal for sporting road riders. Both models will be a great career step for our younger racers.”

Provisional calendars:

2013 Honda 150 European Championship

14 April Arco di Trento, Italy

21 April - TBA

9 June - Ernee, France

28 July - Lausitzring, Germany

18 Aug - Bastogne, Belgium

25 Aug - Matterly Basin, United Kingdom

2013 European Junior Cup powered by Honda Racing

29-31 March - Training camp, Alcarras, Spain

7 April - Aragon, Spain

28 April - Assen, Netherlands

12 May - Monza, Italy

30 June - Imola, Italy

4 August - Silverstone, United Kingdom

1 September - Nurburgring, Germany

6 October - Magny-Cours, France

20 October - Jerez, Spain

* - competition prize is dependent on winner meeting age criteria for their respective championship