In the belly of the American Honda Motor Corporation (AHM), the stage is set for the biggest change in the team’s history.  Media and AHM employees are anticipating the formal announcement of perhaps the worst-kept secret in the paddock.  The news that awaits clearly isn’t that the team will be using Honda Groms to maneuver through the pits, or that big beautiful red generators will be powering team equipment.  No. While those things are true, the big news that has gathered the crowd is the formal announcement and introduction of the 2017 Genuine Broaster Chicken / RoadRace Factory’s newest partner and supplier of race weaponry.  American Honda Motor Corp.

For the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Season, the team will be piloting the highly anticipated and completely redesigned Honda CBR1000RR.  AHM and the team have reached a multi-year deal that will see the team take on the lead role in the continued development of the latest generation of the CBR family.  In what is expected to be a steep learning curve, the coalition of Broaster Chicken, Honda, and RoadRace Factory are fully committed to providing the sport a much needed injection of diversity and enthusiasm.  To that end, all major principals were on hand for the event.

Last season saw the entrance of a new team sponsor, Genuine Broaster Chicken.  While the 2016 season was nothing short of a challenge that tested the determination of all involved, the good folks at Genuine Broaster Chicken stood by the team.  During the off-season, Jay Cipra (President and CEO – Broaster Company) negotiated a larger deal with team principal Danny Walker.  This new deal was a clear show of confidence in the team and its ability to run more than just a competitive effort.  Genuine Broaster Chicken has doubled down on their sponsorship of the team and has helped create a team structure that will allow more resources to be available to Jake Gagne and the 32 Crew.

For Honda’s part, they have committed to a multi-year technical deal.  To be clear, this is not a full factory effort by Honda.  This a technical support deal that will supply the team with bikes and technical guidance while helping to bring Honda back to American Superbike Racing.  AHM has fully committed to this new partnership, as evidenced by the location of the introduction, and are just as eager to showcase the new CBR for the American fans.  It has been a long time since AHM has provided this level of support in American road racing.  They felt that now was a great time to reenter the paddock due to the strength of MotoAmerica’s popularity and the organization of the Genuine Broaster Chicken team.

We are certainly very excited about this new partnership and we can’t wait to see you all at COTA for Round 1 of the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship!

Jake Gagne

“I’m really very excited to have American Honda Motor Corp, come on-board with us for the next few seasons. I can’t wait to get testing the new CBR1000RR.  I haven’t even thrown a leg over this beauty yet, so I’m pumped to get testing and learn this bike.  I’m also stoked that Genuine Broaster Chicken has come out with such an incredible show of support for myself and the team.  I feel fortunate to have this opportunity and I can’t wait for COTA to get here to show everyone what this new team can do.”

Jay Cipra – Broaster Company

“I’m very excited to be a part of Danny Walker race team and the RoadRace Factory.  I’m looking forward to the ongoing partnership that we have renewed for this year. Last year was our first introduction to the RoadRace Factory although we have been involved in racing for about 5 years, we liked the style in which Danny Walker ran the team and it was a great experience for us and it’s something that we look forward to carrying on this year and potentially further.  I think that with the addition of Honda this season we’re looking at some very exciting things for the future of the Broaster Company and for Jake.”

Mike Snyder – Senior Manager of Marketing for Powersports American Honda

“We are happy to be technical support sponsors for Danny Walker and the Genuine Broaster Chicken / Honda team.  We will be providing motorcycle support, technical support and parts from HRC (Honda Racing Corporation).  We feel that this new partnership can bring a new level of competition to the series.  MotoAmerica has been doing a great job of bringing back American Road Racing and we’re happy to be back in the premier class.” 

Danny Walker – Team Principal

“The RoadRace Factory is obviously super excited with the relationship that we formed last year with the Genuine Broaster Chicken folks when we attempted to run the superbike class for the first time.  We learned quickly that it was really tough to run a bike and be competitive without some manufacturer support.  To be a part of American Honda getting back into American road racing is an awesome deal and I couldn’t be prouder of this.  We know we are starting at the bottom but we have a lot of torque and hopefully we’ll get there.  We have a multi year deal with American Honda Motor Corp so we have a little bit of time to work up to the highest levels.  But I know my guys and I know Jake and they are going to be working their rear’s off to make this bike a contender from round one.”

(Story from RoadRace Factory press release; photos from RoadRace Factory/GeoCrash Photography)