Early in August Honda signalled its intention for a full strength return to the Australian road racing scene after an absence of 12 months. The recent signing of teenage sensation Josh Brookes is a definite shot in the arm to that resolve and signals to the opposition that Honda is back in the paddock and means business.

Honda MPE General Manager Ian Juster welcomed Josh to the Honda camp this week, "Brookes is a very enthusiastic and talented young rider and I am sure this partnership with Honda will prove beneficial to both parties. It will be an exciting time for the company in 2002 with both the Fireblade and CBR 600 F4i competing at the highest level with full support from Honda. Make no mistake we are out to win in 2002 and will do everything in our power to ensure that we do so."

Honda Racing's Mick Smith is looking forward to working with the young Brookes. "We had a bit of a break from racing in the Australian scene this year as we lent our support to Adam Fergusson in World SuperSport. Now we have decided that we wish to make a return to domestic racing in 2002 and, after seeing Josh's performances aboard Geoff Winzer's Fireblade we thought that it would be a good idea to get him onboard as part of that plan. Next year we plan to race in Australia, but with the actual race series not yet set we cannot firm up the series participation. We would like to race both the SuperBike Championship (ARRC) and Formula Xtreme with a two-rider team that will compete in both SuperBike and SuperSport. The signing of Brookes is very exciting for us here at Honda Racing and we look forward to working towards our championship winning goals with young Josh."

Brookes is eager to defend his #1 plate in SuperSport while also being given the possibility to add a SuperBike Championship to his resume.

"I think that the Honda is going to be the way to go in 2002 and I think the package we will have for next year should give me the best opportunity for success," said Brookes.

"We got some serious speed out of the current Fireblade but for next year we have been told that the 2002 model will have around 10 more rear wheel horsepower in standard form so that should transfer well to the race bike. I know the Fireblade chassis quite well and with mechanic Garry House returning from Europe I am confident that we will have the know how to overcome any obstacle that is put in our way." he concluded.

Josh Brookes commenced his racing career in Motocross and like so many of Australia's best road racers also has extensive dirt track experience. Josh took the 2001 Australian SuperSport Championship this year from riders such as Daniel Stauffer and FX Champion Robbie Baird. But what brought him to the attention of Honda were his exploits aboard a Fireblade in the Formula Xtreme Tri-State Series where he put in some great performances to take many race wins.

Full Name - Joshua Andrew Brookes
Age - 18 years
Born - Auburn, Sydney, 28th April 1983
Lives - Bringelly, Sydney
Family works in - Roof maintenance
Started riding - First bike at age 4, Honda QR 50
Started racing - 1988, Age 5, Motocross at Appin in NSW
Racing history - Began competing in Motocross at age 5 (1988) and dirt track.   Over the next eight years Josh won several open, state and Australian Championships in Motocross, short circuit and long track. In 1997 (age-14) Tony Hatton introduced Josh to the Moriwaki 80 class. Josh took to it straight away by finishing in a podium position in every race he entered including the season finale 1-hour race at Oran Park. Josh was then invited to Japan for the 'one day heroes championship', which he won from Damian Cudlin. The same year he also competed in the 80cc 3-hour race where he finished 3rd behind Anthony West and Garry McCoy. During 1999 Josh raced in three rounds of the Australian 125 championship but still managed to finish in the top ten. Last year Josh completed the Australian 125 season and took 2nd place, 10 points behind Jay Taylor. Australian SuperSport Championship winner in 2001.
Other sports participated in - Athletics and swimming
Height and weight - 176cm, 68 kilograms
Favourite food and drink - Japanese cuisine, Milo
Favourite circuit - Oran Park
Most memorable racing moment - GP Wild card last year (2000)
Favourite way of training - Cycling
Riding in 2002 - Both SuperBike and SuperSport for Honda Racing Australia