The “Honda Italian Racing Project” is an innovative project that was presented at Mugello by Honda Italia and HRC, who have joined together with Team Honda Gresini to create a new generation of riders. Thanks also to the institutional partnership offered by the Italian Motorcycle Federation, the project has allowed 21 riders aged between 9 and 13, selected after a free-to-enter practice session, to learn how to race and develop intofully fledged racers. They’ll be taught all about race tactics will also be undergoing physical preparation and sport psychology studies. They even got the chance to gain Grand Prix experience with Team Honda Gresini at the recent San Marino Grand Prix. Focus: FIRST STEPS OF A CHAMPION At Team Honda Gresini the search for future Honda champions is on. At Misano, the home of Fausto Gresini’s team, the 24 kids from the “Honda Italian Racing Project” were able to breathe the atmosphere of World Championship competition and get a taste for the dream they want to turn into a reality. The Italian affiliation of the Japanese manufacturer is already known for its numerous promotional initiatives, such as the Honda 125 trophy that gave rise to the likes of Marco Melandri, Alex de Angelis and many others, and this new project gives youngsters the opportunity to race free of charge aboard four-stroke Honda NSF100s. The riders were chosen from over 100 youngsters, who tested at tracks all over the country, including Francesco Cecchini, son of Fabrizio, Toni Elias’ Crew Chief. But this will be much more than a race series for these kids and more of a race school. The trip to Misano was every schoolboy’s dream: a visit to the Honda Tribune, pit and paddock tour and a meeting with none other than Satoru Horiike, Director of HRC.