Honda of Houston Suspends Amateur Support Program
Thursday, February 23, 2012 | 2:50 PM
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PrintDue to changes in the amateur support programs provided by manufacturers, Honda of Houston Racing, the amateur motocross support subsidiary of Honda of Houston, Houston’s exclusive Powerhouse Dealership, is suspending its amateur motocross trackside support program. The program which began in 1997 has supported amateur motocross across the country providing riders both young and old everything from technical services, parts support and bike transport. “We’ve been part of the careers of some of the sports premier riders and we are grateful for that experience,” says Race Team Manager Shaun Martin.
Today’s pro supercross and motocross fields see a number of riders that have participated in HHR’s program. Riders such as Josh Grant, Will Hahn, Tommy Hahn, Jake Weimer, Lance Vincent, Chris Plouffe, Jessica Patterson, and many more have all benefitted from the guidance and support provided by the HHR crew. “It is with great regret we are forced to make this decision, but the current economic state prevents the manufacturers from continuing the support we have been so successful with,” says Honda of Houston President Dave Martin. Martin goes on to say “Honda of Houston Racing would like to thank the many sponsors over the years that have helped the team achieve its goals and hopes the HHR program has contributed in some small way to the success and well being of amateur motocross racing and the customers of American Honda.”
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Very sad.
Could motocross for the common family be a thing of the past? This sport is far too expensive for the now declining middle class.
lol, obvious troll is obvious
@pizzacorner, I like the way you think...
Pizzacorner: We are Brothers! there are two things, well three counting breasts that I am passionate about. Moto & Politics and you were right on in your observations re: Obama. A complete socialist who promised to "fundamentaly change America" which sadly he is doing, and using the constitution for toliette paper along the way. My "Vet243 tag line is related to the fact that I ride the "Vet Class" and was once upon a time an Army Ranger. The average idiot does not appreciate the ramifications and impact of a socialist agenda. If you can't see how the direction of the president's policies is impacting out beloved sport you're an ignorant fool.. If you are indifferent get ready for things to get worse before that get better.
Nuff about politics GO RV!
I think it was more greared to the fact that this is a moto forum and not politics. no one should feel ashamed and is open to whatever they want to say or believe within the framework of the forum, get it together bro. Clinton was actually the first violator of WPA in Cosovo.
Meanwhile back at the ranch...This is a drag. Shaun, Navi and the gang were great guys to have at the Amature Nationals. They will be missed!
I saw the same list on another forum. Nice original thought.
Actually, anyone who still supports Obama should feel ashamed. The way he and his party have handled the past few years is disgusting.
OK ...Watch KTM pick up all the amateurs now!!!!They have done a ton of work at these levels for some time now.
Not a good move here by Honda (or Suzuki for that matter) and it will cost them big...just wait and see.
I will still buy a Honda. I respect them for not spending money they do not have. The bikes in the future may look identical to what we're riding today with different stickers. Not gonna be big changes if they aren't makin money. It's a shame, but non-the-less, a 2012 - 450 is way more than I need. Sure hope some of these parents that have sold everything in hopes lil Joey makes it big have a back-up plan.
dash ...here and in China money has to be invested to be made....(moreover in difficult times)or maybe you think KTM comes from another planet???They are investing,,,maybe not even making $$.
Honda has made tons and tons of $$ and has tremendous backup I can assure you....but things like these just shove away.
I can also guarantee HHRs commnication is to have everyone see how much they dissagree with that decision.
Watch Joey jump to KTM..or whoever can support him...it will come down to that.
amateur support drying up, bike prices skyrocketing into the stratosphere... the future of motocross looks bleak
@SpottedMarley, The future of everything looks bleak. This is what you call the trickle down affect. If he gets 4 more years were in real trouble. The guys that ride motocross and buy dirt bikes are not the ones recieving free money from the government. We work hard pay our taxes, save what we can to hopefully continue our hobby of motocross. I just bought a new 2012 Honda crf450. It has taken me 8 years to finally save up and buy one out right. If I could just have back $8000 of the $47,000 I paid in taxes this past year I probably could of bought one long ago. The motocycle factories are hurting as well as the dealers. The dealer I bought my bike from said their sales have been cut completely in half and thats on a good month. I'm not sure how KTM does it, the big 4 are hurting and obviously cutting back, but KTM is spending, spending.
Oh by the way every 30 minute moto you do and burn 2 gallons of gas will cost you $12.00 every moto to fill up your bike. Just a thought.
Actually we should have lined Bush up in front of a firng squad 8 years ago, but we wanted him to fix his massive F-up and it wouldnt be too bright to replace the guy in charge in the middle of such hightened military activity. Obama was handed a shit sandwich and expected to turn it into pb'n'J. Noone had a chance from any party after Bush ruined the best economy we've ever had by starting a war that should have been a Spec Ops mission.
There would be little or no debt had Bush had a brain to use, is what it is though. Our Congress is a pathetic, pathetic entity. They couldnt agree on whether the sun is hot or not.
@someguy
The finances of both administrations have been disgusting. Certainly not defending Bush spending but the Obama administration has been even worse. Are you out there in California or young in a "college town"? Be careful with what you are fed out there...
So sorry to hear this, but not a big surprise. Sales are off 50% in some areas, so many dealers have gone under. And yep, we can thank our greedy, power hungry politicians AND the greedy scum that run our corporations nowadays. They are both willing to drive the entire country into the ground to line THEIR pockets with untold millions. Enlisted to fight communism in 1970, now half the American population is so stupid they'll vote to keep one in the White House. Unbelievable!