The training ground is international racing! HRC launches new racing rider development program "Honda Racing School & Scholarship" from FY2027

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced that it will launch "Honda Racing School & Scholarship," an overseas practical training program, from fiscal year 2027, with the aim of strengthening the development of racing riders active in top global categories such as MotoGP.

New Scholarship System for Participation in European Races to Support World Challenges from a Young Age

In recent years, the development environment for racing riders has changed significantly, and international race experience from a young age is considered important for stepping up to MotoGP. While promotion from domestic championships was once the norm, the current mainstream route is to advance to the world championships through entry categories such as the "Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup" for ages 14 and up, and then through the European "FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship" and "Moto2 European Cup."

To respond to these changes, the new "Honda Racing School & Scholarship" introduced by HRC is a development program that sets its practical stage in Europe and establishes a system for gaining international race experience from the teenage years. A new scholarship system will be established to cover part of the participation costs when competing in Moto4 or Moto3 Junior, creating a system that allows riders to challenge world-class environments from an early stage.

HRC has previously produced riders such as Somkiat Chantra, who competes in MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship, and Mario Azlan Shah, who competes in Moto2, through its "Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS) Moto Class" and practical development in Asia. "Honda Racing School & Scholarship" will replace these existing development systems and accelerate the development of next-generation top riders.

Comment from HRC President Koji Watanabe

Regarding the establishment of the new "Honda Racing School & Scholarship," Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, expressed his gratitude to the history of the HRS Moto Class, which has nurtured many racing riders over the years, and to all involved. However, he stated that gaining experience on the international stage from a young age is becoming increasingly important, and announced the start of a new challenge to further expand the stage for developing riders who can win in the world's top categories.

The company also expressed its commitment to contributing to the further development of motorsports. HRS, which opened as "Suzuka Circuit Racing School Junior" in 1992, continues its development activities for two- and four-wheeled vehicles as an educational institution where top riders serve as instructors, even after its name change in 2022.