11th of December 2015
Yarrive Konsky Takes A New Direction for 2016
After eight years as Team Principal of Honda Australia’s factory-backed national Motocross/Supercross racing effort, Penrite Honda Racing team owner Yarrive Konsky is pursuing a new direction for 2016, however will maintain a level of professional involvement in motorcycle racing.
“I first joined Honda Australia in 2003 when I hired Victorian racer Troy Dorron and with Honda’s support we challenged the factory-backed teams, finishing second in both the Australian Motocross and Supercross Championships,” says Yarrive of his first race effort activity with Australia’s top-selling motorcycle brand.
“In 2008 I was given the opportunity to manage Honda Australia’s factory Motocross/Supercross race team and in the seven years since, I am extremely proud to be able to say we have won five Australian Championships, finished runner-up in another two and third in another. Overall in 8 years of senior competition we have been on the podium 124 times across Supercross, Motocross, Superbikes, Australian Off-Road Championships, Hattah Desert Race and Enduro X”
Penrite Honda Racing has just wrapped upthe SX2 category of the 2015 Australian Supercross Championship. The team raced to 4 wins, 2 second place finishes and 3 thirds across two classes and over 6 rounds.
“I have been with Honda Australia for 13 years and have been team principal for 8 of those years. We have just achieved our fifth Australian Championship, which is a fabulous way to reward the partnership,” Yarrive says.
“I am so proud to be able to say that I have made some amazing relationships through my long association with Honda and look forward to working with them in future.
In a role that constantly expanded over the years, Yarrive’s experiences with Honda Australia have included the development of Junior racing programs, riding schools, the RED Riders program, below- and above-the-line promotions, event management, rider training and coaching. Paul Broomfield, Shane Metcalfe, Cameron Taylor, Cheyne Boyd, Glen Bell and Lee Hogan have all been involved in SMART at one time or another over the years.
While Penrite Honda Racing will no longer compete as Honda Australia’s official team in Motocross and Supercross, it will race in 2016 in a concentrated Supercross-only program partnered by Honda.
“I simply love racing, and there is no questioning my loyalty towards two-wheeled competition, I will run a Supercross only team with Penrite and Honda, do some riding and racing myself and be involved in the Supercross Championship” Yarrive reveals.
“I have accepted a position on the executive group of Erebus Motorsport with a primary role as General Manager of Commercial and Communications,” Yarrive is proud to announce.
“I have just turned 41 this past month and I feel I need a new challenge and opportunity to further my experiences and education.
“Every year since my first season as Team Principal of Honda Australia’s Motocross and Supercross racing activities I have managed to source out-of-industry sponsors. Some I have lost, some have moved to other teams, but many have remained and even escalated their involvement to support the sport as a whole.
It goes without saying that after so many years of dedication and devotion to motorcycle sport and the motorcycle industry, Yarrive has made some amazing friends and relationships that have greatly contributed to his being in the position he is in today, and he wishes to acknowledge their loyalty.
“Firstly, to all my staff members, both past and present, I wish to say thank you,” Yarrive states.
“From the bottom of my heart I have to explain that your relentless pursuit to racing, winning, supporting the team and its riders and sponsors has been the primary driver that kept me going. I am delighted that Honda Australia has signed on one of our full-time junior technicians (George Rawling), while Steve Powell, the owner of SPMX and sponsor of Penrite Honda Racing, has employed our other full-time lead technician (Blair Myer). I look forward to working with Steve and Blair in the future as team members of our Supercross Program. Steve has been instrumental in building our winning motorcycles over the past two seasons, while Blair has been a breath of fresh air. His tenacity and professionalism can be witnessed in the team’s professional endeavours off and on the track. Martine of Fluid PR has been involved in everything I have been a part of since 2009 and her commitment is priceless. Darlene Van Slooten will continue on in a part-time role and Kasie Powell will maintain her involvement on a casual basis. Wayne Harker will also continue as the logistics manager”
“To everyone at Honda Australia, I thank you for the amazing opportunities and I look forward to working with you on a different level in future.
Yarrive wishes to pay special thanks to the following individuals:
“Toby Dymond (Penrite Oil) your passion and appreciation for motorcycle sport can be seen in everything Penrite does. As naming / lubricants partner of Honda Racing for the past 3 years you have made it possible for our team to perform and win. From amateur racing to the Australian Supercross Championship, Hattah the Broadford Bonanza and Moto GP, Penrite Oil is supporting motorcycle sport in Australia and we are all in debit to you for your company’s generosity and contribution. However personally I will always be thankful for your appreciation and acknowledgement of the team’s hard work. That to me is worth more than any sponsorship. To the Dymond family thank you for supporting our programs and to Jarrod Harding thank you for pushing me to be better, for making me strive to be better and for being there for the team as we set the bar in marketing and activations.
“Tony Hinton (Honda Australia): You truly resonate the meaning of teamwork – one goal, one vision. Your dedication and desire to place Honda in front motivated me from the first time we met. Your wisdom has been a major factor behind the development of many teams, riders and the careers of numerous team personnel.
“Glyn Griffiths (Honda Australia): Your unconditional support is priceless and your encouragement has pushed me to tackle new goals. Your understanding of what it takes for a team to win can be witnessed in the results we have achieved, along with the results the road race team has achieved since your inception.
“Peter Singleton (Honda Australia): Thank you for the continued opportunity and loyalty.
“Jason Nicholas (Honda Australia): We changed the buying trends of consumers and we learnt a lot doing it. We also initiated factory-backed support for freestyle MX riders and got behind the biggest names in our sport, including Robbie Maddison, Cameron Sinclair, Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams and Josh Sheehan.
“Stuart Strickland (Honda Australia): You taught me a lot, even when you were saying nothing and have been my biggest and most influential mentor, I miss our discussions the most – you always challenged me.
“Graeme Baynes (Honda Australia): Your loyalty and understanding made me rich beyond measure.
“To everyone at Honda Australia, I thank you for the amazing opportunities and I look forward to working with you on a different level in future.
“Doug Sharp (Gas Imports/THOR): You are my best friend. In life you fall in love with people, not brands. Your grounded approach has helped me develop as an individual and the support you and Sean Gallagher provide goes so far over and above the mere supply of product. You are always there for me when I want to try something new. Thank you.
“Brenden Stoeckert (Link International): You have been a partner of my personal racing and race team programs for more than 20 years. Not every day has been perfect, but again, people develop relationships not brands and I am honoured to call you a friend and partner. Your staff Don Nicholas and Mark Kelly are consummate professionals and have remained loyal throughout and I am equally honoured to call them my friends.
“John Chido (Monza Imports): You were the first to believe in what I was doing and that meant a lot, as you are a leader and one of the greatest successes in the sport I yearned to succeed in.
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“Peter and Lincoln, there has to have been many instances when you questioned my imagination and proposals, however you always backed me and gave me the freedoms to try new things”.
“Bernie and Joel Ryan, wow....Our relationship would arguably be the longest I have had. It spans 21 years, when you first sponsored me with TRT. Thank you for always being there”
“Steve Crammer, I think at times you think that I am a nutter, however whenever I came to you with something you backed it. Staring in 2010, Allerton, support MX teams, my own team. You always had an open mind. We have had some amazing results”.
“Finally, to all the riders that have been a part of my race programs, thank you. Each of you has touched my heart in one way or another. I remember winning races with Shaun Williamson, dominating with Kade Mosig, Dylan Berwick, Josh Cachia, Matt Phillips, Hayden Melross, Eagan Mastin and Wade Carter in Juniors and my friends Ben Williams, Adam Bailey, Adam Robinson, Ash Bledniak, Daniel Howley, Chase Mosig, Brent Landman, Luke Urek, Glen MacDonald and many others and although we may not have received the fanfare or recognition we get for winning Senior championships, it will and does rate as some of my greatest and most rewarding achievements and moments.”
Lastly Yarrive shares an amazing opportunity he felt blessed to be a part of on the weekend.
“Knowing that Taylor Potter’s mother was fighting cancer, a fight she lost only 19 days ago. Knowing that he has dedicated his everything, knowing that he needed someone to believe in him, knowing that I am blessed to have my mother here with me, our team offered him a spot for the final round. The team offered Taylor the opportunity 5 weeks ago. Taylor sent me the following message following his mums passing - "She loved you mate, I asked her if I should ride the last round with you, she didn't hesitate to say yes. I always run my every move by her. You sold me my first kx60 mate and you were going to give me a ride at Melbourne for my last professional race.I don't need to say any more but you were put in my life for that so thank you"
I will always feel rich beyond measure because of the experience our team shared on Saturday night. Our entire team were in tears following Taylors 3rd place in the final round of the Australian Supercross Championship on a 450. This is something that he will have for the rest of his life. His father (Ken) and I embraced and couldn't contain our emotions. That was powerful. No words were required, the feeling of relief, love, acceptance, understanding were felt in the strength and love of the bear hug we gave one another - dam I felt so very lucky”.