Heidolf to run new 250cc Honda squad in 2009

Former 250cc rider Dirk Heidolf will return to the quarter-litre category in 2009, as Team Manager of a new outfit for the World Championship.

The German has been the driving force behind the formation of Honda Germany Racing Team, a project that will incorporate two riders undertaking their first full Grand Prix season.

`Toni Wirsing, a German rider, and Bastien Chesaux from Switzerland will be our riders for next year, with Honda bikes,´ says Heidolf, who retired from active competition at the end of 2007. Wirsing rode in four wildcard appearances in the 2008 250cc campaign, whilst Chesaux competed in the last eight 125cc races of the year.

`The plans are nearly all in place; we have the bike and the riders and four big sponsors who will be supporting the team. One is a bank, and the others all come from around the Sachsenring area where the team are based.´

The idea of the outfit is to run a similar structure to that of Jorge Martinez `Aspar´, with riders also competing under the Honda Germany Racing Team banner in Minimoto competition as part of a long term project. `We have eight riders signed up at the moment, but we will be starting slowly because of our small budget,´ adds the new team boss.

Although not permitted to test at the conveniently located Sachsenring track, the Honda riders are expected to make appearances at Jerez and possibly Brno before the start of the 2009 season.