Team Honda Overview

Professional motocross racing may be the original extreme sport, and today the racing action indoors and outdoors brings more thrills and spectator approval than ever before, with a live attendance of nearly one million fans plus a television viewership topping the 18 million mark. Honda has been at the forefront of American Motocross and Supercross action since the beginning, winning its first AMA 250 National Championship in 1973 and amassing an unparalleled race record over the past 40 years. That legacy of winning championships was extended once again in 2010, and that trend looks to roll into 2011 as well.

Trey Canard and Josh Grant, two talented athletes who are proven winners, will compete on Honda's stellar CRF450R in the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross series. "Both Trey and Josh have shown great speed in the 450 competition," said Erik Kehoe, Motocross Team Manager. "We know that they are both fully capable of winning a championship, and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve aboard their American Honda Racing–prepared CRF450Rs this season."

In last year's AMA 250 Motocross series, young Canard rode to his first-ever outdoor championship, adding to the burgeoning list of accomplishments he quickly accumulated after joining the pro ranks late in the 2007 outdoor season. Also during the 2010 Supercross season, Canard jumped at the opportunity to try his hand on a Team Honda CRF450R in the 450 class while filling in for an injured rider, and that experiment paid off handsomely as he notched five consecutive podium finishes. Such results portend a stellar year in 2011 for the rising star.

In addition, Grant returns to his Honda racing roots in 2011 as the second rider on the Team Honda squad. Grant has earned inspired race wins indoors and outdoors in both the 250 and 450 classes, and after being hindered by injuries in 2010 he is now ready to get back to the business of winning races once more. Watch for both Canard and Grant to set up camp on podiums all across the nation at Supercross and Motocross races throughout 2011.

When Racing Is in Your DNA

The challenging spirit of racing is fundamental to Honda's DNA, and it influences every facet of the company's activity. It fans the flames of passion across every level of Honda, and it's been that way since the very beginning of the Honda Motor Company. The same attention to detail that stands on display in the Team Honda CRF450Rs can be found in everything we do. The words "good enough" are not part of the Honda vocabulary on the racetrack, on the engineer's drawing board or on the assembly line.

Beginning with the company's earliest years, company founder Soichiro Honda insisted that his engineers prove the company's capabilities by testing their creations in the crucible of competition. In 1959, Honda brought his young company to the prestigious Isle of Man TT, and two years later Honda Motor Company captured its first World Grand Prix win, a victory that forever altered the global racing landscape.

Racing in the U.S. has been equally prolific. Honda has earned more than 100 national titles in motorcycle roadracing, motocross and off-road competition, the most recent being Trey Canard's 2010 AMA 250 Motocross Championship. Highlights over the years of American Honda's commitment to racing include winning its first-ever AMA 250 National Motocross Championship in 1973, 59 AMA Motocross and Supercross titles, 30 roadracing championships in AMA SuperBike, SuperSport, Formula Xtreme and Formula One, five AMA Flat Track rings and a record-setting 21 SCORE Baja 1000 victories - including the 14th consecutive win in 2010.

Name the motorcycle racing discipline, and you'll find a collection of Honda championship trophies.

Honda's drive to conquer new engineering challenges - whether on the racetrack or in the production of consumer products - continues to forge the soul of the Honda Motor Company. Racing inspires new heights of creativity at Honda, encouraging an unceasing search for new designs. This long-standing and deep-seated passion for racing excellence continues to power Honda to create the dreams of today, dreams that will appear as the innovations of tomorrow.

The Sport, Inside and Out

The Supercross and Motocross championships stand as the premier racing series of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). Most riders compete in both series, and for that reason the Supercross season dovetails into the Motocross season. The 17-round AMA Supercross series, an FIM World Championship, starts in January and ends in early May, followed immediately by the 12-round AMA Motocross Championship, which runs through early September. Hugely popular with the viewing public, together these 29 events draw a live attendance of nearly one million fans plus a television viewership topping the 18 million mark.

Supercross consists of indoor man-made racecourses built on the floors of baseball and football stadiums. The tracks are studded with big jumps, whoops, tabletops and other obstacles, and they place a premium on the rider's acrobatic skill, timing and all-out courage. Motocross races, the original format for this style of competition, are conducted on outdoor tracks of approximately one mile or more in length. The courses utilize the natural topography of the land, but with built-up jumps and obstacles added, and winning here requires a staggering level of fitness and blazing outright speed.

Supercross features two classes and displacement ranges. In Supercross Lites, racers may run a four-stroke engine no larger than 250cc in displacement. The Supercross class allows four-stroke engines no larger than 450cc. Motocross also has two classes: the 250 class and the 450 class.

As in years past, the Supercross Lites season is divided into two regional series, East and West. At the series finale held in Las Vegas, Lites competitors from both regions face off in the Supercross Lites East/West Shootout. A new format for 2011 makes the shootout a points-paying event for each region, adding to the night's drama and excitement. There are no regional divisions in Motocross; both classes run the entire 12-round series, with each round consisting of two motos of 30 minutes plus two more laps for each class. At the end of the day, the results of the two motos are combined to produce an overall score.

Honda CRF450R: The Class of the Class

Over the years, the reputation of Honda's CRF450R has grown to near-legendary proportions - and for good reason. This production-based machine has a history of racing success at the top pro levels that speaks volumes about the inherent soundness of the design. At the same time, no other production big-bore MX machine has proven as popular and successful.

Introduced as an all-new and lighter variant with electronic fuel injection in 2009, the CRF450R earned overwhelming praise, winning in AMA racing and also winning a host of magazine comparison tests and best-in-class/MX bike-of-the-year awards. For 2011, enhancements to the front and rear suspension, EFI throttle body and Honda Progressive Steering Damper (HPSD) give the CRF450R better handling and better throttle response than ever before.

The CRF450R contains an unprecedented level of design synergy; the engine was developed concurrently with the rolling chassis in symbiotic fashion to deliver 450-class-leading power along with CRF250R-like handling. The Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system meters fuel with remarkable precision, producing amazing drive right off the bottom while delivering a super-strong mid-range punch and an even stronger rush of top-end power. Because fuel consumption is reduced with PGM-FI, the fuel tank is made shorter, smaller and slimmer. The lighter fuel load decreases the bike's wet weight and lowers the overall center of gravity (cg), and the seat is shaped to allow the rider a greater range of movement on the bike. It's another case of cascading benefits paying dividends over and over again in true Honda fashion.

The smaller and lighter engine, in turn, begat a lighter and narrower twin-spar aluminum frame with a forged-aluminum steering head. Brawny frame downtubes return excellent front-end feel, and steering response and overall handling were also improved by moving the steering-head pipe back and giving the frame a slightly steeper caster angle. The front wheel was positioned farther back and closer to the crankshaft to enhance handling, and the swingarm was lengthened for improved traction. Aided by the HPSD - which permits more aggressive steering geometry - and plusher suspension front and rear, the CRF450R rails through turns, tames whoops and maintains superb high-speed stability in a fashion that leaves the other marks behind - literally speaking. 

All in all, it's easy to see why the CRF450R has been - and also now remains - at the head of the class.

Profile: Trey Canard

Without a doubt, the grueling and thrilling sports of professional Supercross and Motocross racing remain a young man's game. But even within an endeavor loaded with young athletes who possess seemingly unbounded talent, the superlatives flow freely whenever the name Trey Canard pops up.

Canard got a brief first taste of professional racing at the end of the 2007 Motocross season, and his three subsequent years of full-time competition have not only honed his racing skills but also made him a champion twice over. Riding for the GEICO Powersports Honda team aboard his CRF250R, Canard captured the 2008 AMA Supercross Lites East Championship and the 2010 AMA 250 Motocross title. Moreover, when Canard filled in for an injured rider during the 2010 Supercross season, he capitalized on the timely opportunity to try his hand in the elite big-bike series aboard a Team Honda CRF450R by finishing on the podium five times in a row. Sure, many people were hoping he would do well, but five consecutive podiums mid-season on a new bike? Let's just say that even more people were simply shocked to witness such a high level of success so quickly. Furthermore, Canard topped off the 2010 season by helping Team USA win the overall victory at the FIM Motocross of Nations held in Lakewood, Colorado—all in all, quite a meteoric rise in only three years! Now only 20 years old, Canard steps into the bright-shining limelight as one of two riders on Team Honda in 2011.

"As an amateur racer riding Hondas for the Factory Connection team, it was my dream to one day make it onto the Honda factory team, and to be given this opportunity now is a real honor," said Canard. "I've been a part of Honda's racing program for a long time in both my amateur and professional careers. I'm pumped to be able to continue that relationship into the big-bike class.

"I've been riding Hondas since my amateur days, so the transition from the CRF250R to the CRF450R felt very natural to me; you can definitely see and feel the family resemblance between these two bikes. Obviously, there's more power to deal with when riding the 450, but I think that makes riding it even more fun. Despite being a bigger bike it handles incredibly well, and I can't say enough about the support the team gives me; they are just great. And now that we've had more time to get the bike dialed in to my riding style, things have really come together well."

"To be honest, I'm kind of blown away at how quickly Trey got a handle on racing the CRF450R," said Erik Kehoe, Motocross Team Manager. "Not everyone can make the jump to the bigger bikes easily, but pretty much right off the bat Trey demonstrated his ability on the Honda CRF450R. Actually, his earning five consecutive Supercross podium finishes in the middle of the season last year was quite exceptional. And it wasn't only his results that impressed me, it was also how quickly he came to grips with the new bike and got up to racing speed in the 450 competition, riding a new and bigger bike against the best riders in the world. A lot of credit has to go to Trey's nature; he works incredibly hard and he's very coachable, always willing to stay late and learn more.

"He showed a great deal of racing maturity last year in winning the 250 Motocross championship. He had to overcome a points deficit from early in the season, but he just kept focused on doing what he had to do and slowly but surely chipped away at the points gap, getting stronger and stronger as the season wore on. The title chase came down to the last race in the season, but Trey never got flustered; he just kept charging, and he made his own destiny and became a champion for the second time in three years."

Now the young racer faces a new challenge, his biggest yet. Will he win a third championship in 2011 aboard a new bike, riding with the factory team? Well, judging from the rocketship arc of his racing career thus far, a title in the 450 class is certainly within his grasp.

Trey Canard Statistics

2010
3rd AMA Supercross Lites West Series
1st AMA Motocross Lites Series

2009
6th AMA Supercross Lites West Series
13th AMA Motocross Lites Series (shortened season due to injury)

2008
1st AMA Supercross Lites East Series
10th AMA Motocross Lites Series (shortened season due to injury)

2007
18th AMA Motocross Lites Series (began racing at round 9 of 12)

AMATEUR
Eight amateur titles in 2007
AMA Horizon Award, 2007

PROFILE
Born: Sept. 17, 1990, Elk City, Oklahoma
Residence: Shawnee, Oklahoma
National #: 41
Began riding: 1993, age 3
First race: 1993, age 3
Training: Weight lifting, cardio, motocross
Hobbies: Snowboarding, bicycling
Height/weight: 5'7"/148 pounds
Marital status: Single
Current racebike: Honda CRF450R
Mechanic: Brent Presnell

Profile: Josh Grant

"Here's what you need to know about Josh Grant: He has shown great speed in the 450 class, and he's a proven entity," said Erik Kehoe, Motocross Team Manager. Indeed, the new season brings back a familiar face to the Honda ranks as Josh Grant returns to the fold of Honda Red Riders. He'll be riding the factory-prepped CRF450R in both the Supercross and Motocross series in 2011.

"He's definitely a strong addition to the team," Kehoe added. "Josh has demonstrated huge abilities in the 450 class since graduating from the 250 class in 2008, where he rode with the GEICO Powersports Honda team for several years. We know he has more than enough speed to be a winner no matter who lines up at the starting gate, as he has recorded wins in both 250 and 450 Supercross and Motocross classes. The challenge will be for Josh to be consistent, stay healthy and put a whole season in; if he does that, he'll be in position to take a title. We know he can do it; he has a deep background racing Hondas, and we look forward to seeing what he can do all year long aboard a Honda Racing–prepared CRF450R."

After racking up multiple Supercross and Motocross Lites wins aboard his Honda CRF250R, including winning the U.S. Open of Supercross, Grant transitioned well to the big-bike class in 2009, winning the Anaheim Supercross opener that year. He went on to earn two more podiums and finish fourth in the series points, as well as take two podiums and an overall win in 450 Motocross competition during the outdoor season. Hindered by injuries during 2010, Grant bounced back to score an AMA Motocross series race win and secure his first-ever X Games Supercross gold medal. All of which stands as proof positive that Grant has what it takes to stand on the top step of the podium when the dust finally settles.

"It feels really good to be back on a Honda, the brand that I started riding during my amateur and professional careers," said Grant. "I was riding Hondas back when I was a 14-year-old amateur racer, and I've always loved riding Hondas. I feel really comfortable on them. Climbing back aboard a Honda now is like getting together with an old friend; it's a good, natural fit. The power is really there with the CRF450R, but what I really like is the way it handles, the way it corners - this bike gives you a lot of confidence.

"We've all been working hard together, and the level of support I get with the Honda Racing team is simply incredible. We've got the bike working really well, so I just need to stay healthy and let each race come to me. I know I can compete with the best, and I plan on winning races and climbing the podium all year long.

"Since I began riding Hondas during my amateur days and during my first days in the 250 class as a pro rider, they've always seemed like the perfect fit for me. So coming back to Honda and the CRF450R is like coming back home. I've always dreamed about being a factory Honda rider, and now I've made it. My heart has always been set on being here, so I can't really put into words what this feeling is like and how much it means to me. I just want to get on the track, get down to business and earn some wins."

Indeed, all the right pieces now seem to be in place, and 2011 looks to be the year that Josh Grant comes home once again, with his sights set dead square on a championship.

Josh Grant Statistics

2010
Missed Supercross season due to injury
7th AMA Motocross Series

2009
4th AMA/FIM Supercross Series
6th AMA Motocross Series

2008
5th AMA Supercross Lites East Series
9th AMA Motocross Lites Series

2007
7th AMA Supercross Lites West Series
3rd AMA Motocross Lites Series

2006
3rd AMA Supercross Lites East Series
3rd AMA Motocross Lites Series
4th AMA Supercross Lites East/West Shootout
1st U.S. Open SX Lites

2005
8th AMA 125 East Supercross Series
7th AMA 125 National Motocross Series
3rd AMA 125 East/West Supercross Shootout

2004
10th AMA 125 National Motocross Series

AMATEUR
Nine amateur titles, including two titles in the 125 and 250 Pro/Sport Class

PROFILE
Born: June 20, 1986, Lakewood, California
Residence: Riverside, California
National #: 33
Began riding: 1993, age 7
First race: 1993, age 7
Training: Weight training, cardio, riding
Hobbies: Wakeboarding, snowboarding
Height/weight: 5'9"/165 pounds
Marital status: Engaged
Children: Son Wyatt
Current racebike: Honda CRF450R
Mechanic: Jason Haines

The Team Behind the Team

Ray Conway
Race Director, Motorcycle Sports

Erik Kehoe
Team Manager

Jeremy McGrath
Team Consultant/Test Rider

Jeff Stanton
Team Consultant

Nagatoshi Chiba
Race/Test Technician

Robert Reichmann
Race/Test Technician

Brent Presnell
Race Technician for Trey Canard

Jason Haines
Race Technician for Josh Grant

Shane Drew
Chassis/Suspension Engineer

Ryo Okuda
Showa Suspension Technician

Dan Betley
Engine Research and Development Engineer

Dean Gibson
Research and Development Technician

Brandon Wilson
Motocross Parts Coordinator

Andy Holl
Transporter Operator

Craig Adams
Transporter Operator

Trevor Weiler
Data/Research & Development Technician

2011 Team Sponsors

Fox Racing
An icon in the sport of motocross, Fox Racing® has been in the American motocross scene for more than three decades. For 18 years, Fox has been a primary Honda team sponsor. The company offers a wide variety of team-replica riding gear and sportswear for sale under license from American Honda.

Showa
Honda and Showa® have celebrated countless championships over the years and will bank on decades of experience to elevate the Red Riders to the championship podium in 2011. Showa is also an OE supplier to Honda (and other manufacturers as well), and its expertise in motocross suspension is very beneficial to the team.

Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals
Pro Honda® Oils and Chemicals has supported Honda's motocross team for 30 years, supplying a full line of lubricant and motorcycle products. Only Pro Honda products are approved by Honda R&D, and they are available at Honda dealerships across the country.

Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA)
For 17 years as a motocross team sponsor, the Honda Riders Club of America® has offered its members a wide variety of activities and services, such as pit tours, VIP hospitality and even dinners with Honda's racing teams. The HRCA® regularly offers members an inside look at Honda racing through its member publication, Honda Red Rider™ magazine.

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires
Dunlop® has an unequaled win record in virtually every form of AMA racing and, as a Honda racing team sponsor for more than two decades, has contributed immensely to the motocross team's record 59 national titles. Working hand in hand with Honda's factory riders and technicians guarantees cutting-edge tire technology for the Honda team, and the partnership pays dividends for casual off-road riders as well.

Renthal
Among manufacturers of handlebars and sprockets, only Renthal® - a 25-year Honda racing team sponsor - can boast more than 100 world and national championships. It goes without saying that American Honda's motocross team has won many of its championships with Renthal products.

D.I.D
D.I.D® has been a longtime Honda racing team sponsor and puts what it learns in competition into the OE products it supplies to Honda and other manufacturers. Spokes, rims and drive chains take an unbelievable beating in the world of professional motocross, which is why the Honda team puts its trust in D.I.D to provide components that can take the constant abuse.

VP Racing Fuels
This marks the tenth year that VP Racing Fuels® has been a Honda racing team sponsor. VP's experience in blending championship-winning fuels dates back 31 successful years, and in addition to its Motocross and Supercross titles with Team Honda, the company also boasts several NHRA Pro Stock titles, plus championships in off-shore, off-road, circle-track and aviation competition.

Twin Air
Twin Air®, one of the originators of oiled-foam air filters, enters 2011 and the 12th year with the Honda racing team. Twin Air has been racking up championships around the globe for more than three decades.

Yoshimura
As a sponsor and supplier of cutting-edge four-stroke exhaust systems to the Honda racing team, Yoshimura® spends countless hours each year developing racebike exhaust systems and building products for consumers. The largest aftermarket exhaust manufacturer in the world, the company has been building four-stroke exhaust systems since 1954.

Hinson Racing
Hinson Racing®, the supplier of clutch components to the Honda racing team, has won titles in every major professional off-road series and expects to add more to its mantel with Honda in 2011. The massive power produced by the Honda team's factory engines is readily handled by Hinson Racing clutch components, which deliver the ultimate in off-road performance and reliability.

GEICO
GEICO Motorcycle Insurance is underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company and has been designed to meet the unique insurance needs of all powersports fans. In addition to covering cruisers; street sport, touring and high-performance bikes; and scooters, GEICO can also handle the insurance needs of those who ride an ATV or drive a boat or personal watercraft. If you use an RV to tow your favorite ride, GEICO can handle your RV insurance needs as well. www.geico.com