HONDA TO COMPETE IN BRITISH SUPERSTOCK CHAMPIONSHIP WITH PADGETTS HONDA

Honda (UK) has taken the decision to withdraw from this year's British Superstock Championship, although Honda rider and current British Superstock Champion, Steve Brogan, will remain in the Honda family by defending his title on a standard CBR1000RR Fireblade with the Padgett's Honda team for the 2009 season.

British Superstock Champion Steve 'Baywatch' Brogan commented, "Although I'll now be racing with the Padgett's rather than the HM Plant Honda team, it's business as usual for me - it's just that the bike and my team shirt will be a different colour. I'll still be racing on a standard Fireblade like I won the championship on last year and I already have a good relationship with Clive Padgett and his team, who run a really professional outfit and have a successful history in racing. I'm now full on into training and I'm just looking forward to getting back on the bike to try and win the championship on the Fireblade again this year, and to do Honda, Padgetts and myself proud."

The decision was made in order to ensure the HM Plant Honda team and all of its riders could continue to remain competitive and title challengers for each of the three British championships in which Honda is competing in 2009. The HM Plant Honda team will still be fielding the dynamic duo of Glen Richards and Josh Brookes in the British Superbike Championship, with the seasoned Steve Plater in the British Supersport class.

Honda contracted road racing legend, John McGuinness, will also ride a standard CBR1000RR Fireblade alongside Steve Brogan in the British Superstock Championship with the Padgett's Honda team. The 14 times TT winner from Morecambe will compete in the Superbike and Supersport classes at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT races in the HM Plant Honda livery, but under the Padgett's Honda livery in the Superstock class at the TT.

John commented, "Riding for both HM Plant Honda and also Padgett's worked well for me for last year and continuing with both of those relationships can only be a good thing for Honda's and my racing competitiveness in 2009. I'm looking forward to being team-mates with Brogie and I'm feeling totally ready to challenge him for his championship title as well as try and add to my road racing victories at the North West 200 and the TT."

Honda (UK)'s Head of Racing, Neil Tuxworth, commented, "We recently reviewed all of our bike racing activities and, given the current economic climate, decided to extend our involvement with Padgett's of Batley for 2009. Padgetts are now running in the British Superstock Championship which will provide both Steve and Honda with a good opportunity - for Steve, to challenge for his title on the Fireblade and with a great team and team-mate, and for Honda, to have two riders representing us on the Fireblade in the championship. Padgett's Honda is an independent team but we are looking forward to supporting the team and the riders over the coming year to win races and hopefully the championship."

The opening round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship series of races (Superbike, Supersport and Superstock) is due to commence on Easter weekend, from Saturday 11 to Monday 13 April, at Brands Hatch on the Indy circuit.

For further information about Honda (UK) Racing and its riders visit http://www.honda-racing.co.uk. For further news and information about Honda (UK), its great range of scooters and motorcycles, genuine parts, accessories and forthcoming events, call 0845 200 8000, visit http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles, or visit your local dealer who can be found using the 'Dealer Search' facility within http://www.honda.co.uk.

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