Reinforcing their commitment to strengthen Honda’s involvement in motorsports in the Asia & Oceania region, the Honda Group of Companies confirmed recently that it will pursue the challenges of motorcycle road racing in the region with an aim to develop world-class motorcycle riders and team mechanics. The announcement was made after the qualifying day of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) held at Buriram International Circuit, Thailand.
Honda’s motorcycle subsidiaries in Asia including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India have been strengthening their presence through establishing the Honda racing school, forming their own road racing teams, organizing local Honda one-make races, and competing in local, national, and international races.
Through Honda’s efforts, young riders and team mechanics continue to broaden their experience and improve their skills by undergoing intensive trainings and participating competitions in various races for local and national championships. The most promising stars will move up to greater challenges by joining Honda’s racing team for international races namely the ARRC. Outstanding riders and mechanics from Honda’s Asian teams will ultimately have a chance to join Honda’s racing teams for world-class races.
Mr. Soichi Yamana, department manager of Motorcycle Department, Motorsports Division, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Mr. Atsushi Ogata, director of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Mr. Ryo Takahashi, general manager of Motorcycle Business Division, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Makoto Tamada, team manager of the Honda Asia-Dream Racing were present during the event.
Honda also updates its participating teams in the 2018 ARRC. Currently, Honda teams from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India are competing in the Underbone 150cc (UB150), Asia Production 250cc (AP250), and Supersport 600cc (SS600) classes. Rheza Danica of the Astra Honda Racing Team from Indonesia is set to take the 2018 AP250 rider championship.
The motorcycle company will also be represented by Honda Asia-Dream Racing, a team for which top personnel from Honda subsidiaries and Honda racing teams across the Asia & Oceania region are being recruited, at the 2019 ARRC. It will be spearheaded by the former MotoGP racer Makoto Tamada as the team manager and Zaqhwan Zaidi from Malaysia as team rider. The team finished in 17th place in the Japan Superbike 1000cc class (JSB1000) at the 2018 All-Japan Road Race Championship (JSB) and took 7th place in the Suzuka 8-hour Endurance Race. In 2019, Honda Asia-Dream Racing will continue to participate in both championships, challenging itself to perform better and finish in higher positions.
With the collaboration of team members throughout the Asia & Oceania region, Honda strives to excel in world-class motorcycle racing.