As the MX season draws near, Team Honda Racing NZ have been finalising the team and specs on the new bikes. Shayne King and his team are busy setting up and preparing the 2009 model CRFs ready for the 10 events that Team Honda New Zealand will be entering in this coming 2010 season calendar between now and end March. Most of the Team and riders will be at the Speedshow this weekend in Epsom, Auckland on 18 and 19 September at the ASB Showgrounds. Mr King is very positive about the season and will also be in attendance.

With a few changes to the resource and riders packages, due to the current economic environment, unfortunately the team loses Luke Burkhart for the Nationals, with Luke deciding to opt out of the package for this season. The other riders are retained and Honda will contend all the major Moto events for the season with their CRF450R9 and CRF250R9 bikes.

"The team will miss Luke and his determined spirit, we do wish him well with his other sporting ventures, our door is always open for Luke." Phill Haynes, GM of Honda Motorcycles NZ said.

Shayne King, Team Honda Racing NZ Manager also adds, "despite only being available to ride the #99 red zebra CRF450R9 for the latter events of the 2009 season, Luke has been key to the successes of the rest of the team, assisted with coaching and he brought home trophies from the big regional races. We are grateful for his time with the team and are disappointed not to have him on Honda for 2010 season, but I fully understand the decisions a rider has to make when balancing the reward versus the personal risk, especially at the pinnacle of our sport, where it's an all or nothing commitment."

Young 17 year old Cam Dillon #555, moves up to the 250 MX2 class, riding in full adult spec as Honda's fledgling rookie alongside the MX2 partnership of Michael Phillips #2 and Peter Broxholme #712 and on the CRF450R9 Justin Macdonald #212 challenges the MX1 class.

Cam won the 2009 125cc under-17 title, which ran in within the adult class and was 2nd place overall runner up to Damien King, for the overall adult 125cc class. Cam is making a deserved climb up the ladder to progress his impressive skills.

For more info - pop to the Honda Racing stand at Speedshow where we will be happy to discuss the new season.

Anyone wishing to emulate the look of the Team Honda Racing NZ bike set up should visit a Honda Demon Dirt dealer: the exclusive limited edition Honda Racing Zebra One Industries graphics kits are available for most Honda CRF 'R', 'X' and 'F' 2008/9 models, 'R' kits include a One Industries exclusive Honda branded Gripper seat cover.