Between the Races:
Rockwall Honda's Michael Worrell
March 1, 2006
By CJ
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If you walk through the pits at an Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross round, one of the first things you’ll notice is the large number of satellite teams compared to an AMA road race paddock. These teams are a sign of a sport’s health, so we were happy when Rockwall Honda came on the scene partway through last season. Based out of a Texas dealership, the team is preparing for their first full season on the circuit. We had this quick conversation with team- and shop owner Michael Worrell at the recent Fontana test.

After racing dirt bikes most of his life, Michael Worrell fell in love with road racing and formed the Rockwell Honda team. CJ photo

RRX: Were you into bikes before opening the dealership?
Michael Worrell: Yes, I’ve raced motorcycles my whole life, mainly a lot of off-road stuff. I got the shop and rode a street bike for the first time, and I just fell in love, and I’ve been addicted ever since. I did some CMRA stuff with Ty [Howard], did some local stuff, and realized that this is my passion and I wanted to take it to the next level. We rode last year with Mike Hale, and I think we competed in three or four races, but this will be our first full season. Our riders, Ty Howard and Ryan Andrews, are both Texas boys, and basically our whole crew is Texas-based except for our crew chief, Robert Ward, and our engineer, who’s from California.

So your motivation for this was just passion?
Yes, just love, and I realized that if there was anything I’d like to do, it was to make a living in road racing, and if I could form a relationship with Honda and be able to manage it as a business; that’s my ultimate goal.

Are you getting any support from Honda, or are you pretty much on your own?
Honda has stepped up and helped me considerably this year, plus Pro Honda Oils. Actually, a lot of the industry guys have come up—Dunlop is also helping us out this year—but mainly our sponsors are Honda, Pro Honda Oils, and a few other guys who have pitched in considerably, like Kienast Custom Homes. He’s actually going to try to do some AMA racing this year; he and I started racing against each other and just kind of ended up at this point.

Cool. What class are you running this year?
Just Formula Xtreme. We’re actually building a Supersport motorcycle, but right now with the workload we have, I just don’t see it being feasible. And really, I don’t want to misguide our direction; our focus right now is just to compete in Formula Xtreme, and I think Honda’s objective for me is to defend their title and get some more exposure in that class.

Do you think Honda is using you as kind of a development squad for Erion Racing?
Actually, the way I got into this situation is that Kevin [Erion] and I are buddies, and we had spent some time together, and he convinced me that this was possible—with his help. He’s held my hand the entire time and I wouldn’t be where I am without Kevin, and he and I work together daily. It’s very, very cool. Mainly, Kevin gives me some of his information, and Chuck Miller has been passing down some of his information, and with those combined forces I really have a nice opportunity and a lot of information to apply. Everybody has really, really supported me, and the Honda guys and the Erion guys have just been perfect. I really couldn’t do this at all without both of those groups.

Rockwell Honda consists of Ty Howard and Ryan Andrews, who will race in the Formula Xtreme class. CJ photo

What would you say to another shop that was considering doing the same thing? Is it a feasible thing?
Well, I don’t know if I would use the word “feasible.” I think there’s a lot of opportunity and that the sport is growing so much, that really it’s a shift in perception. You’re starting to see outside-source sponsors, like Xerox in World Superbike and some of these other guys, and of course Michael Jordan’s team coming in…. I think there’s a lot more interest and I think people have an opportunity to get in there. And you know, on an entry level it’s still as fun as it is on a factory level; if anything, it’s a bit easier, so I think there’s opportunity for other people out there, it’s just a matter of going out there and spending the time and effort to make it happen. It is difficult to get things going your way, but the gratification is twice as much. I guess good things don’t come easy. But yes, I think it’s possible for anyone to do anything; you can buy a Honda motorcycle off the showroom floor, you can source people like myself to get you up to speed, give you some resources, and hold your hand, because people have held my hand. It’s realistic, and it’s a genuinely attractive sport for everybody. You know, I’ve never brought anyone out here who didn’t get excited.

So what’s your objective for this year?
My goal is pretty much to complete the season without any type of accident for our riders and to satisfy Honda’s requirements and possibly [compete for] the title. My goal is top-five this year, and to finish the season while completing all the obligations I’ve taken on.

Great, well, good luck. See you in Daytona.
Thanks, see you there.