- press release -

Honda Canada’s Motorcycle Division today confirmed their National Motor Sports plan for the 2006 season.

Honda Canada will focus its support of road racing at the grass roots level by offering stronger support packages to a greater number of up and coming riders.

Details of the new Red Rider support program will be distributed to Honda dealers in the near future. Complete details will also be available at the official Parts Canada Superbike Championship web-site, cdnsuperbike.com and honda.ca.

The program will include discounts on machines and parts as well as significant equipment and logistical support. A generous race and championship contingency will also be offered. Six (6) National level support packages and twelve (12) regional level packages will be offered in 2006 with three (3) of the eighteen spots reserved exclusively for women riders.

Honda Canada and our dealers will start accepting resumes for these positions immediately. Honda will announce final rider selection for the 2006 Red Riders Program by the end of March, prior to the official season launch with road race testing at Jennings, Florida in mid-April. Honda Canada looks forward to continuing our strong relationship with our partners in Canadian Roadracing.

In addition to continuing our relationship with traditional series sponsors Honda Canada welcomes new series sponsor Pirelli tires. In 2006, all Honda riders will use Pirelli tires, as part of the new, three year “Spec.” tire deal negotiated for the series.

This comprehensive Roadrace program will certainly create some of the stars of tomorrow and we look forward to this exciting new chapter in Honda’s long and storied racing history.

On the National Motocross front, Honda Canada will continue their existing partnership with Calgary’s Blackfoot Motorsports through 2006. Legendary Canadian motocross star Jean-Sebastien Roy of Acton-Vale, QC., took his fifth straight National Championship crown for Honda aboard a CR250 in 2005.

This season, Roy will defend his CMRC title aboard the four-stroke CRF450, along with team mate and rising Canadian star Dusty Klatt of Campbell River, BC. Television coverage of the 2006 National Motocross Championship will continue on Sportsnet and Speed Channel.