With Michael Rutter, Ryuichi Kiyonari and Karl Harris already confirmed as the Honda Racing, British Superbike Championship line-up in 2005, after much speculation we are pleased to announce the Honda Racing 2005 "Pure" Road Race plan.
Japanese motorcycle giant, Honda, is returning to the pure road-racing scene with a vengeance, mounting a charge to regain domination of the pure motorcycle road race world.
For a third successive season, Honda Racing have retained the formidable force of Ian Lougher to spearhead the Honda Racing 2005 "Pure" Road Race Challenge, while enlisting Team DMRR and their Northern Ireland rider, Richard Britton, in a collaboration that forges what is arguably one of the strongest teams in International Road Racing. The team will run collectively under the title of Team DMRR/Honda Racing.
Team DMRR/Honda Racing will be the official Honda Racing entry, campaigning two CBR1000RR Superbike Fireblade's, two CBR1000RR Superstock Fireblade's and two CBR600RR Supersport machines, at the three main road race events of the season - the International North West 200, the Isle of Man TT Races and the Ulster Grand Prix.
Both the CBR1000RR Superstock Fireblade's and CBR600RR Supersport machines will be battling throughout the pure road race season. Richard Britton will use the Team DMRR ex Ten Kate Superbike at the three big meetings and continue to race the same machine during the rest of the season.
Ian Lougher will also run a Superbike, at other selected meetings during the year. In addition to the larger capacity machines Ian will again be competing, when possible, in the 125cc and 250cc classes.
Both Superbike and Supersport machines will run in the colours of Team DMRR/Honda Racing for the three international events.
Ian Lougher is proud to continue his successful association with Blackhorse Motorcycle Finance Ltd for a third year. Again, Blackhorse Motorcycle Finance Ltd, the UK's largest motorcycle finance house, are to be the title Sponsor for the teams 2005 Superstock effort. The two Honda CBR1000RR Superstock Fireblade's, will race in their striking purple corporate livery.
The Mannin Collections Honda RS125 will again be running under the Lloyds TSB Offshore banner.
Neil Tuxworth - Honda Racing: "Honda Racing is delighted to confirm its support of Team DMRR for the 2005 road racing season. Honda has had a long and successful association with racing on public roads. This will again play an important part in our competitive strategy for next season. While Ian Lougher has enjoyed direct support from Honda Racing in the past, we are pleased that this has now been extended to Team DMRR and Richard Britton. On behalf of everyone at Honda UK and Honda Racing, I would like to welcome Team DMRR and wish them every success in 2005".
Ian Lougher: " I am pleased to be continuing my association with Honda Racing, I firmly believe the Honda package carries the best machinery and I am very excited about the year in prospect. I am sure that with Richard Britton as a teammate and Team DMRR/Honda Racing behind us, we will be a dominant force in 2005."
Des Moore - Team DMRR: "The news of this commitment from Honda is a fabulous boost to road racing as a whole, the fact that is with Team DMRR is even better news - for us. I know that the commitment from Richard and Ian will be outstanding and together with this exceptional package we can all look forward to one of the most competitive racing seasons yet."
