Team Honda Racing shines on 09 bikes against 2010 competition

Motocross Team Honda Racing riders began the 2009 Demon Energy NZ Motocross Championships in style at Pleasant point, just outside Timaru.

The event run by the South Canterbury Motorcycle club ran extremely well considering the 'new' timetable put on them by the one day format.

The success and effectiveness of the team is particularly astounding as the riders are all running standard 09 models and engines with only suspension mods and rider specific set up tweaks. Other competitors have jumped onto 2010 models while Honda doesn't get their new models until Woodville in January. This shows just how good the current 09 spec Honda's are.

In the MX 1 class, Christchurch’s Justin McDonald (Honda CRF450) showed his experience gained in the USA during the off-season by taking the battle to current MX2 Champion Daryl Hurley.

"Justin’s USA experience is coming through; he was leading the last race at one stage but slowed towards the end, but is very happy with the day’s results" said Team Manager Shayne King travelling home.

In the MX 2 class Rotorua’s Michael Phillips, Mount Maunganui’s Peter Broxholme and youngest team member Taupo’s Cameron Dillon took their Honda CRF250R to the top of the table, only split by Scott Columb on his Suzuki.

Finishing 1st, 2nd and 4th respectively.

"It was an awesome day, Honda was very strong," said race team manager Shayne King. "We are very pleased with the results and the team effort at round one" he added.

The Team is in great spirits and is looking forward to Round Two at Rotorua next weekend, so they can build on their strong base.