Honda companies in the region have been involved in various motorsport activities to develop team members and young riders, ranging from organising local racing programs to participating in international races with their own team at the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in the AP250 and SS600 class, as well as the Suzuka 8-hour Endurance Race.
Zaqhwan
Malaysian rider Zaqhwan Zaidi has been picked to ride the CBR1000RR SP2 machine and will compete in the Superbike class in the Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ) All-Japan Road Race Championship (ARRC) for the 2018 season before moving into the inaugural ASB1000 class at the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship in 2019.
Prior to the formation of the new team, Honda’s ASEAN racing team - Satu Hati Honda Team Asia, has been actively competing in the Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance Race since 2012.
Now, the team will expand its competitive horizon to include the Superbike class in international championship races within Asia.
Tamada
Former MotoGP and World Superbike rider and current team manager of Satu Hati Honda Team Asia Makoto Tamada will helm the new team before taking on the MFJ All-Japan Road Racing Championship (JRR) in 2018 in the JSB1000 class, including the Suzuka 8-hour Endurance Race.
In 2019, the team will change its focus to winning its inaugural FIM ARRC participation in the ASB1000 class.
The collaboration among the Honda Group of Companies in Asia & Oceania include
AP Honda Co., Ltd. (Thailand), Boon Siew Honda Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia), Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt., Ltd. (India), PT Astra Honda Motor (Indonesia), Honda Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Vietnam), Honda Philippines Inc. (The Philippines) and Honda Australia Motorcycle and Power Equipment Pty., Ltd. (Australia).
