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[LenAshburn]

TEAM HONDA/MORIWAKI Moto2 ENTRY AT INDY TO USE FAMOUS NUMBER 34


INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, July 29, 2010 – Every type of racing features vehicle numbers that forever will be associated with a certain competitor, such as 43 and Richard Petty in NASCAR or 14 and A.J. Foyt in Indy cars. In Grand Prix motorcycle racing, 34 forever will be linked to American legend Kevin Schwantz, who used that number during his career while thrilling fans worldwide with his all-out style that led to 25 Grand Prix victories and the 1993 500cc World Championship.

The FIM, the world governing body of motorcycle racing, made the rare move of retiring Schwantz’s number, a testament to his popularity. But that number is coming out of retirement for the first time since Schwantz stopped racing in 1995, as American Roger Lee Hayden will ride the No. 34 Team Honda/Moriwaki wild-card entry in the Moto2 class at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 27-29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Schwantz is the team manager.

American Honda unveiled the bike with Schwantz and Hayden during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix on July 23-25 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif.

World-renowned artist Aldo Drudi, founder of Drudi Performance, designed the patriotic American graphic design scheme for the bike. Officials also announced that Team Honda/Moriwaki’s Moto2 effort at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP will raise funds to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) Ride for Kids® (RFK) program and its efforts to fight childhood brain tumors.

Since 1991, the Honda Riders Club of America® (HRCA®) has been the presenting sponsor of the Ride for Kids®. For the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, the Ride for Kids logo will be placed on the bike, leathers and uniforms of the Team Honda/Moriwaki Moto2 team. But fans can visit www.rideforkids.org now to make a donation and receive collector apparel.

At IMS, staff will be on site to sell Drudi-designed replica team T-shirts and hats with proceeds designated for the PBTF. There will also be a photo opportunity for fans to have their portrait taken with the painted team bike, with the proceeds to benefit the PBTF. Schwantz also will lead a Lap of Champions at Indy, a parade lap around the GP circuit limited to only 300 motorcycles. Proceeds from this event also will go to the PBTF. A set of autographed leathers from the Team Honda/Moriwaki Moto2 effort also will be auctioned after the race, with proceeds donated to the PBTF.


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Len in Indy