And it begins! The first official test for Team Honda Racing on the 26th and 27th January will provide the new team with its first taste of what the 2011 season of the Australian Superbike Championship may hold on board the Honda CBR1000RR11. Testing at the Eastern Creek circuit as part of the BMW World Superbike test will set the wheels in motion ahead of their first round at Phillip Island for the World Superbike Event at the end of February. Team Principle, Paul Free from Motologic is no stranger to success on the Honda brand, having led the factory Honda team to numerous championship wins in both the Supersport and Superbike categories, making his team one of the most successful in the Australian Championship. In 2011, back on Honda and in control of the factory team once again, Free has charged #27 Jamie Stauffer and #47 Wayne Maxwell with the responsibility of making this season the most successful yet for the team. Maxwell raced for Paul Free under the Honda banner in 2008 and 2009 and knows the brand and the team well. Coming very close to winning the championship twice now, Maxwell took 3rdin the Superbike Championship in 2009 and 2ndin 2010 on a CBR1000RR; Maxwell’s dedication to his goal has never been stronger. #47 Maxwell: “I’m really excited about this season with Team Honda Racing; to be riding for Paul Free again and working with a familiar crew will be awesome. It will be the first time in 5 years that I will have a new crew chief and I’m looking forward to working with Shaun Clarke from Motologic. I am also looking forward to working with Motologic’s new suspension range, SMART Racing Components and helping to develop the system in the CBR1000RR.” “This year, it will be all about consistency as there are 3 or 4 riders who are likely to be challenging for the front of the field so it will be very important to be in the top 3 for every race. It is going to be a great year with Team Honda Racing.” Stauffer may be new to racing the Honda brand; however he is one of the most experienced riders in the series, having won multiple Australian titles in both Supersport and Superbike. Stauffer raced for Paul Free in 2010 and knows that the team will be extremely strong on the CBR1000RR. He is looking to make his mark on the 2011 season early and has the Superbike title squarely in his sights. #27 Jamie Stauffer: “The 2011 season is going to be awesome. I have a great team and a great bike that will see us running at the front of the pack. I can hardly wait for round 1 at Phillip Island in February. I have had a chance to ride on the CBR1000 around Phillip Island at the 6 hour with Team Honda Racing and we were competitive immediately, so we will be chasing race wins from the first race at the first round of the season. I am really looking forward to getting started.” As the Team Honda Racing transporter makes its way to Sydney, the Team Principle, Paul Free will also be contemplating the season that is about to commence. The team have been very rigorous in their pre-season preparations and Free is determined to take his team to another championship win this season. “It is fantastic to be back on the Honda brand and working with the CBR1000RR11. It is a great package and we have been hard at work preparing the new bikes for this test at Eastern Creek. I believe the work we have already carried out on the CBR1000RR at Motologic will provide Jamie and Wayne with a great start to the season and I am really looking forward to testing this week and gaining both riders’ feedback. I see no reason why we can’t be winning from the first race in 2011.”