SportBiKeZ

Heading in to the 11th round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park this weekend and there is still no further news on what riders will be racing in what teams in 2009.

Historically all the major signings are completed by the Brands Hatch race at the beginning of August, but this season the whole WSB paddock remains in limbo one month on.

The main reason for the delay is over who will replace Troy Bayliss in the Xerox Ducati team when the Australian retires at the end of the season. To date there have been numerous names thrown in the hat ranging from Max Biaggi, Chris Vermeulen, Noriyuki Haga, Ben Spies and Briton Shane Byrne.

Ducati were expected to make the eagerly awaited announcement last week, but the decision has been delayed yet again and MCN understands that there is a whole series of meetings planned this weekend which could determine the final outcome.

With the factory Ducati ride still undecided it’s proving difficult for any of the other rides to be finalised. Currently there have been no confirmed signings at the Yamaha Italia team, Ten Kate Honda are yet to announce their three man rider line up and Alstare Suzuki have only one rider confirmed with Max Neukirchner already signed for 2009.

BMW is another big player with a ride available. The new to WSB manufacturer announced the signing of Ruben Xaus back in June, but are yet to confirm their second man.

WSB has also become a melting pot for young and old talent with BSB young guns and MotoGP veterans all fighting for a top ride alongside the established WSB regulars.

Now in its fifth year of production, the CBR600RR has firmly established itself as both a winner on the streets and a dominating force on the racetracks of the world. A mid-displacement Super Sports favourite renowned for its peerless combination of aggressive performance and comfortable riding ease, the CBR600RR and its immediate predecessor, the CBR600F Sport, have together garnered an astounding six consecutive World Supersport championships in the capable of hands of privateer team Ten Kate Racing and its extraordinary riders.

Over the years, the Ten Kate Racing team has enjoyed phenomenal success attained through hard work and steadfast determination, culminating this year in new rider Kenan Sofuoglu’s record-setting capture of the 2007 World Supersport crown at Brands Hatch circuit with three more races left in the season. This impressive victory has been especially significant as it was accomplished aboard the totally new third-generation CBR600RR, proving its dominating performance potential right out of the box.

Over the last six years and four generations of Honda CBR600 supremacy, the following Ten Kate riders have ridden to victory in the World Supersport championship for complete domination of the series:

1. 2002 — Fabien Foret (CBR600F Sport)


2. 2003 — Chris Vermeulen (CBR600RR)


3. 2004 — Karl Muggeridge (CBR600RR)


4. 2005 — Sébastien Charpentier (CBR600RR)


5. 2006 — Sébastian Charpentier (CBR600RR)


6. 2007 — Kenan Sofuoglu (CBR600RR)

Simultaneously, in this year’s exciting World Superbike championship, the same HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team is currently leading the series with the remarkable James Toseland powering his CBR1000RR Fireblade through wet and dry to take a commanding lead heading into the final stretch to the end of the season. Achieving a remarkable rate of success in hard-fought battles against formidable racing competition, rider, team and Honda CBR are setting the stage for even greater victories to come.

The HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR Special Edition

In commemoration of the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team’s proud success this year, Honda is releasing a special replica edition of the CBR600RR in full HANNspree Ten Kate livery that evokes the winning spirit and passion for racing that have made such a mark on the World Supersport and Superbike racing circuit.

Giving streetbike riders the chance to feel like 2007 World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu and his team-mate—and 2005 and 2006 Supersport champion—Sébastian Charpentier as they dive through the corners and dice with the leaders, the new CBR600RR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda replica edition provides a breathtaking combination of aggressive motorsport looks and proven RR riding performance for full-blooded excitement that never grows old. This stunning replica’s outstanding distillation of Honda Racing DNA is readily apparent in its aggressive styling, in its race-based construction and in its blistering performance, all of which combine to create a worthy road-going offspring of Honda’s famed multi-time world champion. The exciting new HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR is where it all begins.

Colours

• HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Racing colours: Pearl Sunbeam White (with Graphite Black & Digital Silver Metallic)

New Features

• HANNspree Honda Ten Kate Honda racing replica colours, graphics and decals


• Distinctive green stripe on black wheel rims.