Honda Australia has announced that two talented young Australian riders, Josh Hook and Josh Pickering, will be competing in the 2012 Asia Dream Cup.

The Asia Dream Cup will be held as part of PETRONAS Asian Road Racing Championship and will see the two young Aussies competing on Honda’s popular CBR250R.

This brand-new category has been deemed as a scholarship program in which 21 riders from Asian countries and Australia will all ride Honda’s CBR250R to exhibit their talents in riding.

The 2012 Asia Dream Cup will comprise of six rounds kicking off in Malaysia on May 13, followed by Indonesia on July 01, China on August 05, Japan on September 09, India on November 11 (TBC) and finishing in Qatar on December 15.

Josh Hook already has a busy 2012 planned as he is competing as part of Team Honda Racing on board a CBR600RR in the ASBK Supersport category. Hook was last year’s Australian 125GP Champion and participated in the Red Bull Moto GP Rookies cup in both 2009 and 2010.

Josh Pickering has experience in off-road racing in Australia and among many podiums, claimed the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championship title in 2009 (U13) and 2010 (U16) as well as various state championships.

Honda’s involvement in the Asia Dream Cup is important exposure for the CBR250R as well as being an ideal platform for youth riders to be nurtured and developed on their way to achieving international championships.

Always enthusiastic about opportunities to support upcoming Australian talent, Honda Australia is excited to be supporting Josh Hook and Josh Pickering and is confident the riders will achieve excellent results.