Almost ten years after Castrol helped Colin Edwards to the 2002 World Superbike Championship title, it is back to aid Jonathan Rea's 2011 chances.

Honda has officially confirmed its World Superbike Championship effort will once more be backed by Castrol, reviving a relationship that yielded three titles between 1997 and 2002.

The oil lubricants giant has enjoyed a long-standing association with Honda since the Japanese manufacturer entered two-wheel racing back in 1959, one that has lasted up to this year.

However, it was Castrol's role as title sponsor during Honda's three World Superbike title wins in 1997, 2000 and 2002 that will forever maintain its place in both the history books and in fans' memories.

While Castrol has maintained a small interest in sponsoring Honda over the last few years, this is the first time it has stepped up to the role of prominent backer since the end of that 2002 title-winning season with Colin Edwards.

Pulling the wraps off the bike that will be prepared by Ten Kate Racing and campaigned by Jonathan Rea and Ruben Xaus in 2011, the red, white and green bike design harks back to Edwards's 2002 mount and replaces the pale green and white of the HANNspree backed machine.

With recognisable branding, Castrol sponsorship manager Donald Smith believes the time is right for the brand to return to the forefront of motorcycle racing.

“Castrol are delighted to join Honda once again to see the return of the famous Castrol Honda World Superbike team to racetracks around the world. Motorcycle racing provides Castrol with the ultimate environment to test and develop our advanced Castrol Power One technology and the Castrol Honda World Superbike team provides a powerful and exciting platform to demonstrate the performance of our Castrol Power One products.”

“We are absolutely thrilled that Castrol has shown this level of faith in Honda and its World Superbike championship team,” added Honda Motor Europe manager Carlo Fiorani. “We are really looking forward to the 2011 season and to achieving even more wins under this famous racing banner.

“It's great to have an such an iconic motorsport brand as title sponsor for the team and, personally, I think the Castrol Honda CBR1000RR race machine looks absolutely fantastic!”




Source:Honda, Castrol revive iconic partnership | WSBK News | Jan 2011 | Crash.Net