IDEMITSU Honda Racing India ready for Asia Road Racing Championship

IDEMITSU Honda Racing India is the only Indian racing contingent at the racing competition.

The Indian contingent reached the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on Thursday where Asia’s best riders will fight out in Round 3 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). ‘IDEMITSU Honda Racing India’ is the sole Indian racing team taking part in the racing competition.

Leading the ARRC charge in Asia Production (AP250) class is the experienced Rajiv Sethu. After sweeping double digit points for the first time in Australia, Rajiv is being viewed as a serious contender in the 2019 championship. Compared to his 27th position last year, Rajiv is already in the top 12 with 18 points so far in the Asia Production 250 (AP250cc) class.

Prabhu Nagaraj, vice president – Brand and Communications, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “2019 is shaping up as the best year for Honda’s solo Indian team at ARRC. Rajiv Sethu is coming of age and is already in the top 12 riders this season."

READ | Monaco Grand Prix: Hamilton talent saved us from defeat, says Mercedes boss

Backing Rajiv up will be his teammate Senthil Kumar. Marking 2018 as his debut year at the Thai Talent Cup, Senthil showed promising signs at the Chang International Circuit last year. In his debut ARRC year, Senthil has already won two points and is all charged to push the throttle in Chang, an international circuit where he has the strong benefit of prior racing experience. The Indian duo of Rajiv and Senthil will be racing with 25 of Asia’s top riders from Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taipei in the AP250cc class.

Sharing his thoughts, Rajiv, said, “I am both mentally and physically charged up for this round. With the support of IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team and my coach Koyama, I want to re-write history by aiming for a podium at Chang – the circuit where I scored my first ever international points. My target is not top 10 finish, I want to push hard and surprise everyone even more this round”

Meanwhile, Senthil said, “In 2018, Honda gave me my international break in Thailand Talent Cup 2018. And in 2019, Honda again gave me a bigger chance in Asia’s toughest championship. With the full backing of my fantastic IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team, I am now much more confident on bike handling. Chang is a familiar track for me. This is my best chance to return to top 15 and eye even higher finish.”