Team Honda Austria Rules the European Supermoto Race Scene
- 23 Apr 2010
Supermoto is an evolution of motocross and road racing, run on tracks typically configured with 70 percent road and 30 percent dirt. It requires a very specific set of skills crossed-over from both racing venues, and Team Honda Austria is cultivating two of brightest new stars on the international Supermoto landscape. According to team marketing spokesperson Claudia Rothbauer, Team Honda Austria (THA) first got involved with Supermoto back in 2000, and they have always supported private Honda riders right from the start. The Honda Manufacture supported Supermoto team as its known currently was formed in 2006 with multiple Austrian State Champion Christian Ackerl and Red Bull Rookie Andreas Simpson Rothbauer, or Andi as his sister Claudia calls him, heading the team. Ackerl left the team in 2008, but the original team manager, Gordon Hrgota remains.
Andi Rothbauer has experienced several team mates over the years, being that the team encourages and supports young riders to a professional level in both racing and sport marketing, acting as a kind of racing farm league. In 2008 and 2009 THA racers Viktor Bolsec and Andi grabbed the International Austrian State Championship titles in both the S1 and S2 class. Earlier this year, having sharpened his skills, the Croatian Bolsec left the Austrian Team to join the Italian HM Honda Team. Taking his place on the THA team is the young raising star and new junior racer Florian Wedenig. Andi started racing Supermoto in 2002 and immediately displayed a knack for it. He attended the try-outs for the KTM/Red Bull Supermoto Junior Cup. Out of more than 200 riders, Andi made the top 20, and was allowed to compete in the Junior Cup. He finished his first season third overall. He is now considered a top-five international rider aboard his Honda CRF 450R with Supermoto modifications. Winning the International Austrian State Championship S2 was a dream come true and is so far his biggest accomplishment. He is also getting huge props for his stellar performances in the World, European, and Supermoto of Nations Championships. The newest team member, Florian Wedenig brings with him familiarity in motocross, cross country, as well as Supermoto Junior Cup experience. The young racer finished the OEMTC Dunlop Junior Cup in second place last year, which is why team manager Hrgota offered him a spot on the team. "K&N was one of the first sponsors of Andi Rothbauer, back during his KTM times," explains Claudia. "In 2006 with the change to Team Honda Austria, K&N decided to stick with Andi and with supporting the team. THA riders have always trusted the high quality products. The team is using Air Filters HA-4509XD, Oil Filters KN-116 as well as Recharger Filter Care Service Kits 99-5000. Andi says "We are pushing our Honda CRF450R Supermoto Modification bikes to the very limits, K&N provides us with the great high performance filters that our bikes need for maximum filtration and optimum airflow, so we can compete on such a high level." The Supermoto season has just kicked off with the first race event of the International Austrian State Championship series. In another two week the World and European Championships get started with the first event in Italy. Andi is planning on riding a few quest starts with both international events, but he is as yet still working out sponsorship support for any fulltime involvement. Wedenig will continue to focus primarily on Supermoto in Austria. The goal is to get him up to speed and to start gaining Pro-Rider experience. "We are planning on doing even more effective videos and photos to present to our sponsors such as K&N, especially for the internet," say Claudia. "Andi is riding Supermoto and stunt shows at all kinds of venues and company events, as well as Supermoto instructor classes all over Europe." Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
