CAS HONDA TEAM BLOG
It’s like we’ve never been away....

Following a long wait and a lot of anticipation since the final round in September last year, the CAS Honda team returned to the fray this week as the 2008 World Motocross Grand Prix season finally arrived. The GP circus rocked up to Valkenswaard ready to embark on the 15-event World tour with many new trucks, awnings, hopes and ambitions.

The usual shenanigans for the CAS Honda squad began almost instantly; a lack of power in the paddock and press area and a series of downpours throughout set-up and practice day made for an interesting start to the weekend.

Come race-day the sun shone for the 26,000 strong crowd at the Eindhoven track, which is located close to the CAS Honda HQ. There was a battle to find a good viewing spot, passionate fans covered in the soft mud that had proceeded to spread around the outside of the track, a press office full of snappers and writers and a buzzing atmosphere, which all reminded us exactly why we are drawn back year after year to the addictive racing scene.

Over the winter months the hard work that has gone into setting the CAS Honda outfit up for the year has been unquestionable. A lot of testing, preparations, sponsor negotiations and machine development have taken place behind the scenes.

A few changes to the team set-up include a huge conversion by SC Sporthomes to the race trailer, which provides the staff with a base to work from; this is now complete with a luxurious living area for the mechanics, an engine room, bike storage and an outside kitchen for hospitality.

The cheerful CAS Honda camp, which is now supported by drinks giant Monster Energy, were looking forward to getting back to doing what they do best, once again aiming for World Championship success. The Honda-backed team have high hopes of newly employed Billy Mackenzie alongside the ultra-experienced Mike Brown – both of which are current British Champions.

But apart from a few 'cosmetic' differences around the paddock, there are some things that really do remain the same. The CAS Honda family instantly got back into the swing of things with team owner Harry Ainsworth taking charge of the washing up, Sam Fox ensuring the 'boys' were fed and watered, and the mechanics returned to operating like clockwork in the tense build-up to the first race. The usual humour around the camp along with the trail of CAS Honda supporters were present and it really was like we'd never been away….

The weekend started well as Billy made his Grand Prix debut aboard Honda machinery, and qualified in fourth position. But it wasn't quite to be in the first Moto. Despite holding second position to Belgian rider DeDycker until the closing stages, Billy made a mistake and was relegated to tenth place.

Undeterred the Scot was determined to make amends in race two and despite encountering two crashes, he finished in a very strong second position, only four points shy of an overall podium finish.

Teammate Brown had a difficult weekend but managed to achieve 12th position overall. The American rider is more suited to a hard-pack track, rather than the soft sand seen at Valkenswaard and is looking forward to competing at events more suited to his riding style.

The CAS Honda camp will attend the press day at the all-new Mallory Park British GP track on Friday to give feedback on the developments of the new circuit ahead of the race on June 1st. The team then heads to the third British Championship round at Torrington, Devon this weekend followed by the second World Championship Grand Prix in Spain on the 20th of April.

By: CAS Honda, Photos: Paul McCready