Josh Hook won his first race with Team Honda Racing and would go on to challenge for the Australian Supersport title until the final stages of the season. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

In today’s Rewind we look back at signing of Josh Hook to factory Honda, as the up-and-coming racer chases success in his third ASBK championship class in as many years.

Hook’s talents were realised early, and his diligence and dedication to forging a career in road racing were given a great boost when he was drafted into the Red Bull Rookies Cup alongside the MotoGP championship.

Spending two years in the series gave Hook a chance to refine his skills, and, under the mentorship of Kevin Schwantz, he returned to Australia in 2011 a seasoned competitor.

Hook climbed the first rungs of the ASBK ladder in a hugely successful 125GP campaign in 2011. He won the title in convincing fashion and in a short space of time opened the door to find the Honda factory team knocking, hand-picking him to lead their re-entry into the Australian Supersport Championship.

Hook won his first race with the team on the CBR600RR, and would go on to score a total of eight podiums from 10 starts for an eventual second-place finish in the championship. A mechanical issue in the penultimate race put him out of the running after he sat in the box seat to take the title all season long.

Proving himself on the 600, Hook was ready and eager to make the move to the factory Honda Fireblade after Wayne Maxwell’s departure saw a seat become available.

In the short space of time on the bike Hook has acquitted himself incredibly well, finishing fifth in the first point-scoring round of the ASBK season.

A valued member of Team Honda Racing, Hook has the determination and, importantly, the raw talent that will undoubtedly see him develop as a Superbike race winner in seasons to come.

Click here to read CycleOnline’s news story from January 2012 announcing Hook’s factory Honda role