Honda announces European CRF150R series at MXGP races
Monday 01 October: Honda is pleased to announce together with Youthstream the Honda 150 European championship, which is a new race series for young riders at Grand Prix events for the next three years.

This
exciting new series will be running in conjunction with the FIM MX1 and
MX2 championship at a maximum of eight European rounds for youngsters
aged 11-14. It is a one-make series, and riders will be provided with
the proven CRF150R fourstroke machines to battle it out for championship
glory with the race ready package Honda is offering.
The
concept is a simple one, as riders only have to focus on the races,
they will be able to arrive at each event with Honda staff caring for
transportation, maintenance and organisation of the machines, including a
hospitality area. Honda staff will ensure the riders have the
motorcycles set for the best performance, and a coach will follow their
progress from a sporting point of view to help them improve in the
competition in a professional way.
The
goal of this championship is to establish a professional career ladder
and a pyramid style plan to discover young talent, as well as help the
federations grow up the next generation of champions. With this in mind,
Honda will offer the winner of the Honda 150 European championship the
opportunity to race in the EMX250 championship the following season with
a supported place in a Honda team. So from 2014 a Honda 150 European
Champion will join the EMX250 series from the youth series, which is a
first in the MX community.
Finally,
as if that isn’t enough, a training school will be offered to the
youngsters before the start of the season, and at the end of the year
the CRF150R machine used in the series will become the rider’s property
with no charge.
Roger Harvey: Honda Motor Europe Off-Road Manager: "This
is an exciting time for Honda, as we make the next step in our plan
after the success of the Honda Xtreme Academy to grow up young talent.
This is a great opportunity for youngsters to compete at Grand Prix
tracks from a young age, while learning how to race a fourstroke bike,
which is in synergy with the MX1 and MX2 series at the highest level. We
will be offering mentoring and coaching to the riders, along with an
easily accessible chance to race on similar machinery, so competition
should be fierce and totally down to the rider ability. We are also
looking forward to welcoming the champion of the series into a Honda
team the following year on the bigger bike, as well as allowing riders
to showcase their talent in front of the World Championship
paddock.”
Giuseppe Luongo: Youthstream President: "We
are extremely excited to start this new European Championship with
Honda, as this partnership is another important stone for the
development of motocross and for giving our young riders more
possibilities to race."
More
details will follow soon about the cost of taking part in the series
and the location of the races, but riders who are considering taking
part can register their interest by logging on to: www.honda150championship.com/
register