|Honda Finalizes 2005 Motorcycle Racing Plans|
|TOKYO, Japan, January 17, 2005 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has finalized its plans for participation in both Japanese and world championship motorcycle racing series in 2005, as outlined below.
Honda’s spirit of challenge is rooted in its motorsport activities. By constantly striving to fulfill its own dreams and aspirations through the ongoing challenge of leading-edge innovation, Honda also delivers dreams and excitement to its customers.
For the 2005 motorcycle racing season, Honda has set its sights on recapturing the rider’s title and retaining the manufacturer’s title in Moto GP, the top class of world championship road racing, aiming to secure the championship in each category.
< World Championships >
FIM 2005 Road Race Championship Series
In the MotoGP class of the FIM 2004 Road Race Championship Series, Honda plans to race seven 2005 model Honda RC211Vs, with the aim of capturing a double title in both the rider’s and the manufacturer’s categories. The Honda RC211V has undergone further refinements as it enters its fourth season of racing. In the 250cc class Honda will field six bikes and three teams, and has nominated Yuki Takahashi—last year’s Japanese GP250 class champion—as the second recipient of the Honda Racing Scholarship, established last year. Last year’s recipient was Hiroshi Aoyama.
Moto GP Class
FIM 2005 World Trials Championship Series
In last year’s world trials championships Honda captured both the rider’s and the manufacturer’s titles for the fifth year in a row, with a Japanese rider winning the series championship for the first time ever. This year Honda will race three Montesa COTA4RTs equipped with a newly developed 4-stroke engine in a bid to win its sixth consecutive series title.
2005 UCI World Cup MTB Downhill / NORBA National Mountain Bike Series
Honda will race two Honda RN01 works machines in the UCI World Cup MTB Downhill, where Honda overcame its newcomer status last year to win its debut race, and in the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series, where Honda took last year’s series title. This year, Honda has its sights set on the UCI World Cup MTB Downhill series title.
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2005 MFJ All-Japan Road Race Championship Series
Honda’s participation in this year’s All-Japan Road Race Championship Series, where it captured the series titles in four classes last year, will be centered on teams run by Honda dealerships and supported by Honda Motorcycle Japan and Honda Racing. The teams will be vying to recapture the series championships in their respective categories, running a Honda CBR1000RR in the JSB1000 class, a Honda CBR600RR in the ST600 class, a Honda RS250R in the GP250 class, and a Honda RS125R in the GP125 class.
2005 MFJ All-Japan Motocross Championship Series
Honda will enter two Honda CRF450R 4-stroke machines in the All-Japan Motocross Championship Series IA12 class, and one Honda CRF250R 4-stroke machine in the IA23 class. Teams will be aiming for the championship in both classes.
2005 MFJ All-Japan Trials Championship Series
Honda riders participating in this year’s All-Japan Trials Championship Series are supported by Honda Racing in cooperation with Honda Motorcycle Japan. Teams will be vying for the series championship, running Honda RTL250Fs equipped with a newly developed 4-stroke engine.
2005 JCF4 Japan Series / All-Japan Mountain Bike Championship
Honda will enter two RN01 works machines in the JCF Japan Series and the All-Japan Mountain Bike Championship, vying for the series title.