The road to MotoGP is a long one, but Honda Philippines, Inc. hopes to make that journey easier by giving hopefuls a headstart.
Honda aims to discover and develop young, talented Filipino riders by giving them a chance to become professional racers through the proper training and development. Training is done on the same type of machinery used in domestic and international racing competitions, with experienced coaches who themselves have succeeded locally and abroad.
Called the Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup (HPDC), the program started last 2017 and recruits the top riders from a try out session into a rigorous training program. Those selected will be racing a CBR150R converted into a full-fledged race bike. The recruits will be trained by the best coaches who have experience racing competitively both locally and internationally.
Honda recently held HPDC tryouts last November 18, 2023, at the Carmona Racing Circuit, Carmona, Cavite. 18 young riders participated the event, taking advantage of the four sessions to show their skills using the CBR150R race bikes. After the thorough, strict deliberation and assessment of Mr. Shigeki Honda, the Founder of HARC-PRO and Coach Charles Nolasco, a retired PSBK (Philippine Super Bike) rider and experienced coach in racing, 12 riders were selected.
They will soon take on the training and development program to prepare them for local and international races. In 2024 HPDC, it is hoped that these selected riders will compete and become the future champions of their respective racing series, further improving their chances of moving up in the next rung of the racing ladder and achieving their racing dreams. Honda calls this step-by-step progression the “Road to Champion” campaign to developing young riders to bring them to international racing scene.
“The Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup is an opportunity to showcase individual skills and a chance to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among young riders. It is a platform where dreams are nurtured, and aspirations take flight,” HPI President Ms. Sayaka Arai.