News has reached us that HM Plant Honda boss Neil Tuxworth has been forced to lay off top mechanics sparking speculation the credit crunch really is biting in Louth.

Honda have stated previously that although their F1 team has been culled, the British Superbike team would only scale down its testing schedule with Honda UK General Manager Steve Martindale saying they would look at what they needed to run the team, instead of what they wanted.

It would now seem that, with technicians out of work three days before Christmas, HM Plant may well be a one-man team for the 2009 season, if they're there at all. However, BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs has said he believes the team will remain with a two-rider setup.
He said: "Honda have said to me they are committed to a two-man team for the 2009 British Superbike season despite the staff cuts."
Honda Japan have given out an edict that all MotoGP bike are to be built in the factory, not in Europe, to save money, and that everyone will now fly economy class instead of business.

Attempts to contact Neil Tuxworth have so far been fruitless...