About the MoviStar Honda PONS NSR 500 '98

The Honda NSR 500 has been the machine of world grand prix 500cc class champions since 1994. In 1997, the Repsol color works machine and their riders made a strong showing, entering top positions at 15 races. In addition tot he works machines; Semi works teams of the MoviStar HONDA PONS and FCC Technical Sports were supplied machines. Then Carlos Checa, a rider for MoviStar HONDA PONS finished in 2nd place at the France, Holland and Catalonia GP. Especially the MoviStar HONDA PONS team attracted much attention. The Spanish mobile telephone company MoviStar is sponsoring the team owned by legendary racer Alfonso Sito Pons. The owner entered the World Grand Prix 250cc class in 1981, then drove the NSR250 and had the title of champion in 1988 and 1989. The champion rider Sito Pons entered the 500cc class in 1990, and played an active part in that season and retired in 1991. In 1992, he made his own team "HONDA PONS" and had many successful seasons. Carlos Checa joined the team in 1996, and two years later John Kocinski, the 1997 super bike race champion, signed on. Carlos Checa finished in 2nd place in the number 2 Malaysian GP, and took the pole position in the number 3 Spanish GP. At the number 5 France GP, Checa finished in 3rd place, Kocinski in 4th. The number 6 Madrid GP saw Carlos Checa win in front of a jubilant crowd. This team has proven itself to be a worthy opponent of the works.