Honda marks 60 years of world championship racing

Honda recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of its involvement in motorcycle world championship racing, with some of the company's motorcycle racing legends both past and present coming together at a ceremony in Assen, the Netherlands, to mark the historic occasion.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was joined by former Honda World Champions Mick Doohan and Freddie Spencer, along with the first Japanese racer to win a Grand Prix, Kunimitsu Takahashi.

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Also present were HRC Director Tetsuhiro Kuwata, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, FIM President Jorge Viegas, VIPs and members of the international media.

The event marked six decades since Honda contested its first world-class event, the Isle of Man Ultra-Lightweight TT for 125cc machines, staged on June 3, 1959.

"No one could have imagined that after 60 years Honda would still be competing and winning all around the world," said Kuwata.

"Honda is the only company contesting all major motorsport disciplines: from MotoGP to Formula 1, from Motocross to IndyCar, from Dakar to Trials and from World Superbikes to Enduro. Competition is an important part of Honda's philosophy, and an excellent way to develop new Honda products."

Marquez, who had taken time out from his preparations for the Dutch round of the 2019 MotoGP series, said he was very proud to be playing a role in the brand's history.

"Many of the most iconic bikes have been created by Honda," said the Spaniard, who has won five of the last six MotoGP titles aboard his Honda RC213V.

"I am very proud to have played a part in the history of Honda's racing success and look forward to achieving even more in the future."

This year also marks the 25th year of Honda's collaboration with Repsol – a partnership five-time world title winner Mick Doohan knows well.

"I can still remember my first visit to HRC in late 1988, a few days before I signed to be part of Honda's 1989 500cc World Championship effort," said Doohan, who won the 500cc World Motorcycle Championship in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 500cc aboard Honda NSR500s.

"I was immediately impressed with the commitment of all the staff as I toured the facility. Reading the signs with 'Tomorrow's Technology Today' everywhere stood out and sold me on Honda's philosophy."

Spencer won Honda's first premier-class World Championship in 1983 and met company founder Soichiro Honda soon after.

"I won my first 500cc World Championship on September 4, 1983, on a Honda in Imola," said Spencer.

"Then on September 7, Mr Honda put his hands on my shoulders and said: "Thank you". That fulfilled my dream and gave Mr Honda his."

Takahashi was 21 when he became the first Japanese to win a Grand Prix: the 1961 250cc West German GP. He went on to win a further three GPs with Honda.

"I remember Soichiro Honda and his team were determined to make the best machines in the world and that is how Honda Racing's activity started," said Takahashi.

"I feel strongly that the Honda Racing spirit has been handed over to new generation!"

Ezpeleta underlined the enormous impact Honda has made on motorcycle racing and the motorcycle world in general over the past six decades.

"Over 60 years, Honda has set benchmark after benchmark, becoming the most successful manufacturer in motorcycle Grand Prix racing," he said.

"It makes us very proud to have been part of its story and for it to have been such an integral part of ours."

Viegas echoed the sentiment.

"As the biggest manufacturer in the world, Honda has the responsibility to have a strong presence in competition as it has proved over these six decades and achieved many titles in all disciplines along the way," he said.

"However, it is today in MotoGP that Honda has its biggest battle to prove that its products are the most innovative and are well proven by the time they reach its customers."

Takahashi and Doohan rode a lap of honour aboard two legendary Honda racing motorcycles around the historic Assen TT circuit, ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix race.