Akrapovič is delighted to announce it has extended its partnership with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) with the announcement of a multi-year deal to collaborate with HRC in the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.
This new venture will see Akrapovič increase its involvement with HRC from its current collaborations in road racing in the WorldSBK and MotoGP championships to the off-road world of the highly demanding FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.
Akrapovič will be equipping the Monster Energy Honda Team CRF450 RALLY motorbikes with lightweight and performance-oriented exhaust systems. Constructed using lightweight titanium, these exhausts will be produced using innovative technology, including titanium cast parts produced in the Akrapovič in-house foundry. Close collaboration will see the exhausts for the Honda CRF450 RALLY being developed with HRC and Akrapovič engineers working together to create bespoke systems and produce further developments and solutions for one of the most demanding two-wheel sports on the planet.
The first time this partnership will be together on-track will be at the Rallye du Maroc this week, but it will be the Dakar Rally this winter that will offer the biggest test. Its challenges to both riders and machines over strenuous stages that feature sand, stones, rocks, river crossings, and long full-speed sections highlight the ultimate demands on performance and durability, and Akrapovič is excited to meet them.
Akrapovič has been working with off-road exhaust systems for around thirty years and has competed in ‒ and won at ‒ many of the toughest rallies around the world throughout that time. Many successful bikes and cars, including world champions in rally-raid and Dakar winners, have been equipped with Akrapovič exhausts on their path to victory. It is this experience and winning mentality that Akrapovič will extend into its new partnership with HRC in the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.
Taichi Honda, General Manager of the HRC Two Wheels Division:
“We are very honoured to present a new partner to the Monster Energy Honda Team for the coming years. Akrapovič is an exhaust brand with great know-how in the world of rally-raid on two and four wheels. This collaboration will give us more confidence to achieve our goals and to continue to further develop the exhaust system for the Honda CRF450 RALLY.”
Miha Jeraj, Director of the Akrapovič Racing Department:
“It’s a great honour to be extending our collaboration with HRC. As a company, we already have a strong working relationship with them in MotoGP and WorldSBK, and to now take that cooperation to off-road is a big step forward. It’s very satisfying that HRC has identified Akrapovič as the right partner to collaborate with in high-performance and durable exhaust systems for some of the toughest motorcycle racing events, such as the Dakar Rally. We already have a successful history in these types of events, and we’ll be aiming to translate our new partnership into a successful one. We’re all looking forward to the next steps in this collaboration and seeing what we can achieve together.”
