News 1 Nov 2022

Honda AUSX team resumes US-based training strategy

Outfit returns to MTF to maintain consistency prior to final rounds.

Image: Foremost Media.

The Honda Racing Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) team has returned to the Millsaps Training Facility (MTF) in a continuation of its US-based training strategy ahead of the final two rounds of the 2022 season.

Owned by Yarrive Konsky, the domestic factory Honda team spent the majority of the AUSX and World Supercross Championship (WSX) pre-season in Georgia as part of its US training camp at the coveted facility to best prepare.

Following the opening two rounds of the AUSX series, team riders Max Anstie, Wilson Todd, Kyle Webster and young American Gage Linville are making the most of the MTF complex and resources on hand, which is also the base of Konsky’s US-based Fire Power Honda Racing team year-round.

“We wanted to maintain consistency in our program, especially because the weather is intermittent in Victoria and there is a lack of tracks and the sheer costs to maintain tracks is high,” Konsky told MotoOnline. “Also, we have a great base there with trainers, suspension techs and we have the option of three tracks.

“Kyle is in a position to race for third in the championship and we wanted him to take away a lot from the past two rounds and work forward, while Wilson needs to work on selected things and change his bike slightly and Max wanted to try some new options. It made sense we return.”

Notably, Honda Racing SX1 signing Dean Wilson returned home following Melbourne – where he was third on the AUSX podium – in anticipation of his first child arriving. It isn’t expected that he will return for Newcastle or Wagga Wagga at this point.

Wilson, Anstie and Todd will be based in America full-time next season as part of the Fire Power Honda team, while Webster will compete in Australian ProMX. It’s unclear who will replace the again-retired Dean Ferris alongside him in MX1 and Todd’s title-winning MX2 position is also yet to be filled.

In addition, MotoConcepts Racing (MCR) regular Justin Brayton has returned to his home in the US and is expected to continue his usual training program separate from the Honda Racing team. He also has Paris Supercross planned prior to Newcastle this month.

It’s a hybrid-type structure for Brayton in returning to bid for a fifth-straight AUSX 450 crown, understood to be riding his MCR WSX bike in Adelaide under the Honda Genuine Polyflor Honda Racing banner, but with a HGS Exhaust and Hinson clutch (at least the cover) fitted.

Also in contrast to the Honda Racing regulars, Brayton was equipped with Renthal handlebars and Dunlop tyres – despite on-bike branding indicating otherwise – following the short turnaround from Melbourne to Adelaide of just one week.

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