HRC Test Rider Takumi Takahashi to participate in his first MotoGP™ race as a wildcard

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is pleased to announce that Takumi Takahashi, HRC test rider, will participate in a MotoGP™ race as a wildcard rider for the first time. He will compete in round 15 of the World Championship at the Grand Prix of Japan for Team HRC with NISSIN, taking place on Sunday 11th October.

Takahashi, who races in MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship for MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO, has achieved three Suzuka 8 hour victories (2010, 2013 and 2014), is regarded as one of the most promising young riders in Japan.

HRC’s wildcard in Grand Prix of Japan will be the first since 2011 with Shinichi Ito.

Shuhei Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of HRC:

“We are very happy that Takumi will be able to have practical experience in MotoGP as a wildcard rider. He is a growing young gun as a test rider and I hope he is able to demonstrate his abilities with a strong performance in front of all the home fans. Please support him and HRC.”

Takumi Takahashi:

“I have taken part in MotoGP tests several times and have been able to witness the level of the top riders with my own eyes. I am very excited to have this opportunity to participate in a MotoGP race and I would like to thank HRC for this opportunity. I will do my best and work at 100% hoping to match everyone’s expectation.”

Profile of Takumi Takahashi

2004 MFJ All Japan Road Race GP125 Championship (CLUB HARC-PRO.)

2005 5th in MFJ All Japan Road Race GP250 Championship (Burning Blood RT)

2006 4th in MFJ All Japan Road Race GP250 Championship (Burning Blood RT)

2007 2nd in MFJ All Japan Road Race GP250 Championship with 2 wins (Burning Blood RT)

2008 Champion in MFJ All Japan Road Race GP250 Championship with 4 wins (Burning Blood RT) 3rd in Suzuka 8 hours (HARC-PRO.) *the youngest podium rider in Suzuka 8 hours

2009 8th in MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship (Burning Blood RT) 3rd in Suzuka 8 hours (Sakurai Honda)

2010 The youngest winner in MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO) Winner in Suzuka 8 hours (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO)

2013 7th in MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO) Winner in Suzuka 8 hours (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO)

2014 2nd in MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO) Winner in Suzuka 8 hours (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO)

2015 MFJ All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO) Suzuka 8 hours (MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO)