Team Honda Racing’s brand new semi-trailer has been delivered to its Melbourne workshop.

Team Honda Racing has taken delivery of a brand new semi-trailer to house its Australian Superbike Championship operation and its associated training and sponsor programs.

The South-African designed transporter was delivered to the team’s Melbourne workshop recently and will undergo a series of compliance checks before it hits the road.

Team principal Paul Free said the new transporter represented the level of commitment the team has to the championship and the Honda brand’s position in the marketplace.

“Having a contract with Honda, I feel that that is the level that I want and Honda want to portray ourselves at,” Free told CycleOnline.com.au.

“We’ve always operated out of a semi since I’ve been with Honda, but to have a truck of that size and nature is really indicative of where Honda sits in the marketplace.”

The design draws influence from transporters operating on the European circuit, though this project was managed by the South African-based owner of Anassis Racing, Brad Anassis.

“Some of the trailers that are Europe-based, in World Superbikes and such, have this sort of layout,” said Free. “The guy that actually was instrumental in the build was my mate Brad Anassis in South Africa, who coordinated the whole job from start to finish.

“I didn’t actually see it until it arrived here. It’s built on a similar design to the one he has for his race team over there, with a number of features to suit our team needs.

“The design of the trailer is very unique in that the motorbikes travel underneath, so they’re on the ground level. On the same level, above the wheels, there’s water tanks and fuel tanks and generators and the like.

“And behind the wheels there’s roll cab toolboxes and that sort of bulky equipment, plus plenty of storage throughout.”

Upstairs is a workshop, additional storage, plus an area for the riders including change rooms, a shower, and a kitchen.

A separate space will be used for entertaining sponsors and guests, which Free says is an integral part of the team’s operation.

“We’re very involved with all of our sponsors and have a number of outside-industry sponsors so this will be a great base to welcome them to,” he said.

“It will also be the base for the ride days, training programs and the like, and a few different things we’ll venture into in the future.

“It’s quite a unique project and one I’m proud of. It’s different to most of what you see in Australia, even in terms of V8 Supercars, and it shows our commitment to Honda, and to the sport.”

Free was unsure if the new transporter would be cleared for compliance by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport in time for travel to Darwin for the series’ sixth round on 14-16 September.