With a new look, new name and new addition to the team, Honda’s factory motocross outfit is ready to contest the 2011 MX Nationals, which get underway in March.

Carlton United Breweries continues their naming rights association with Honda Racing through Konsky Motorsport.

Carlton Dry will be the new naming rights sponsor of the Factory Honda team, after CUB enjoyed a successful year of racing with the team sporting Cougar Bourbon branding.

Demographic and geographic benefits fuelled CUB’s decision to align their premier beer brand with the leading motocross team, which will race under the title of Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing.

“The sport of motocross and supercross is becoming increasingly popular amongst young males and it reaches out to a demographic that is traditionally harder to reach,” said Vincent Ruiu, group marketing manager Carlton Brands.

“Carlton Dry is synonymous with action, entertainment and excitement and we feel that the Honda Racing team are a great representation of what the brand stands for.”

Not only is there a new name to the team but also a new face. Cheyne Boyd has signed with the Honda team, bringing an extra edge to their 2011 Pro Open campaign.

The young and determined Todd Waters will stand alongside Boyd in contesting the Pro Open class on board a Honda CRF 450.

Waters is confident about Boyd joining the team and feels his experience and presence can only help.

“Last year I didn’t have a teammate in the Open class so it is great to have someone as experienced as Cheyne on board, he pushes me and it will make me lift my game,” Waters said.

“We have spent the past few weeks testing and training and I am able to compare my times and techniques against his.

“The team has also enlisted a new sports physiologist, Jarrah Breese, who has put me on a completely different program so I am really excited ” Waters added.

Boyd is equally pleased with becoming a part of the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing Team.

“I am excited to have signed with the Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing team,” Boyd said. “They are organised and professional and they are putting everything into giving me the best bike and preparation possible.

“I have only been back on the bike for eight weeks but I feel great and the Honda is awesome. I feel refreshed and recharged after spending five months off the bike recovering from injury so I really feel this is my best shot at the championship yet.”

Team principal Yarrive Konsky said the signing of Boyd and the alliance with Carlton Dry was another step forward for the team.

“Carlton Dry is a prominent brand amongst our demographic and their alliance can only increase our presence and profile,” Konsky explained. “I look forward to the exciting programs we have planned throughout the year.

“I believe we have assembled an incredible team and rider line-up for 2011. We tried to get Cheyne in 2009, he is the consummate professional and is an extraordinary talent, we are delighted to have him on the team,” Konsky concluded.

Tony Hinton, general manager of Honda Motorcycles Australia is equally excited at having such a strong rider line up for 2011.

“To see such high calibre riders signed for 2011 is really exciting for us, we feel the year is shaping up well and are looking forward to success,” Hinton added

Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing will continue to test in preparation for the season opener at Broadford’s State Motorcycle Sports Complex on Sunday, 13 March.