American Honda, to use a Mario Puzo-inspired Mafioso term, has 'gone to the mattress' in preperation for their 2003 600 Supersport assault.

Honda has a record five teams with multiple riders on contract in order to give the CBR600RR the best shot at winning 600 Supersport races in 2003.

At some 2003 races there could be as many as ten factory or factory-supported 600s on the grid. They're shoring up men and equipment to battle against the other factories in what will be come an all-out Supersport war.

At last count, this is how the Honda teams shape up: Honda has the factory team of Miguel DuHamel and Ben Bostrom racing the class, with DuHamel on a full-time 600 basis and Bostrom for "selected events". They may, again may, be joined by Kurtis Roberts on a DOT bike as well. Then there will be two (correction, one) Bruce Honda riders, two Erion Honda riders (including Jake Zemke, Roger Lee Hayden and others). Those two long term Honda operations will be joined by the No Limits Honda team and also the Annandale Honda squad.