Mon 05 December 2011

Team Honda Europe announces top team and new title sponsors!

Team Honda Europe will start Dakar 2012 with the biggest and best team ever in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, on January 1.

No.1 rider will be again Quinn Cody from the USA who showed during his debut last year his speed and rally capabilities. After a careful start Quinn became faster and faster during the rally and ended on the 9th position overall and was best Rookie of 2011 Dakar. His last race before Dakar 2012 was the Baja 1000, which he won for the 4th time with JCR, the team of Johnny Campbell, a man who needs no further introduction!

For Juan Carlos Salvatierra Dakar 2012 is nearly a home event. He is one of the best motocross and enduro riders of his native country Bolivia, winning several South American championships. Last year Juan Carlos received already during the opening stages a big time penalty . However, he fought his way back with positions within the top 15 ending on a 36 position overall. He is determined to perform better this year and has chosen for the new Honda CRF450DakarX of team Bel-Ray Super B Honda.

The rookie of this year Top Team will be young Englishman Sam Sunderland living in Dubai. Sam wrote history by beating the established top riders in this years  prestigeous Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. He won 2 stages before he had to retire with mechanical problems. He showed again his speed but also his fighting spirit in the Austeralian Safari where he won 3 stages after a high speed collision with a kangaroo in the beginning of the rally. Sam joined Team Honda Europe during the second half of this year and is working every day to prepare for the ultimate challenge of his carreer starting on January 1.

Team Honda Europe announces partnership with Super B batteries.

Team Honda Europe has come to an agreement with Super B batteries to support the top team for Dakar 2012. Super B is a manufacturer of ultra light weight Lithium batteries and the batteries have been used by Team Honda Europe since their introduction 4 years ago. The batteries have even been integrated in the latest slim design of the Honda CRF450DakarX. Super B already supported the entry of Quinn Cody last year, and has increased their partnership for Dakar 2012 by supporting the Top team. The crew and service vehicles were already in the well know black/orange  colours during the presentation of the team in Valkenswaard Netherlands for the Dutch pre prologue.

Bel-Ray title sponsor next to Super B

Bel-Ray Oilcompany from the USA will be title sponsor next Super B Honda for the coming Dakar rally. Team Honda Europe is proud to announce the partnership with Bel-Ray for Dakar 2012. The partnership together with Super B and Honda has brought companies together with the same passion for quality and innovation.
Bel-Ray is already used for many years in the hardest rally in world by Team Honda Europe because oil is a crucial factor for success and reliability.

“Competing in the Dakar is a true test for any machine, especially oil. We are thrilled to have aligned to a true contender. Sold throughout the world, and especially into South America, our products have a proven track record, delivering optimal results every time.  Through our partnership with the Bel-Ray Super B Honda team, we will have the ability to further test performance and develop next generation technology for the future.  We look forward to an exciting Dakar race event.” said Bel-Ray Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer Liquori.

The support trucks and cars have already been shipped in the well known colours of Bel-Ray. Bikes, riders and crew will have the new team colours in South America before presenting the team at scruteneering in Mar Del Plata on December 30.

The new team name has been mentioned already a few times and is now announced officially; Bel-Ray SuperB Honda

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