Honda drop out of AMA

Added on Monday, December 15th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Honda has pulled out of the AMA Superbikes Championship for 2009 as the company seeks to cut costs following the financial downturn.

After announcing that they would withdraw from Formula One for the coming season, Honda have now decided to cut all factory support for the AMA Pro Racing competitions with immediate effect, leaving former World Superbikes champion Neil Hodgson without a team for the new season.

The 35-year-old Brit was told of the surprise decision at around 10:15pm on Friday night whilst at his home in the Isle of Man, leaving the Burnley-born rider devastated and frantically looking for employment for 2009.

“I’m absolutely devastated, I’m obviously devastated. That goes without saying,” Hodgson said early on Saturday morning. “I truly believe Honda have got the best road bike out there and the DMG rules were working in our favour and I think we’ve got a real good chance at fighting for a championship and having a great, successful season.”

One option available is a test riding role – similar to the one that he fulfilled with Ducati / Bridgestone in 2007 although with the current crisis, options are likely to be thin on the ground.

He added: “It’s not a good situation. The world, when you hear about the recession and that lot, you kind of think it’s not going to affect you personally, or you hope it’s not going to, and it’s surprising when it does. It’s a bit of a shock.”

Last week, Honda did confirm its commitment to MotoGP and British Superbikes racing following the decision to quit F1.

In related news, doubts are likely to surface over the future of Suzuki in motorcycle sport following their decision to withdraw from the World Rally Championship after just one season in the competition.

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