Honda’s Indian team takes their maiden ARRC podium finish on home turf

Honda’s Indian team has taken their maiden podium at the Asia Road Racing Championship 2018 round four on home turf. Taiga Hada from Japan takes third place in the first race of the SuperSport 600cc class. Rajiv Shetty clocks the fastest lap time in the first race of the AP250 class. The Idemitsu Honda Racing India Team is all set for another victory in todays race at the Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai.

Japanese rider, Taiga Hada who is 19-years old was the only entry into the SuperSport 600 class from the Idemitsu Honda Racing team. Hada was in top form, qualifying sixth on the start grid with a lap time of 01:41.384 and managed a commendable third place in the first race. The win earned him 16 points, making it a total of 40 points on the overall leaderboard.

Speaking about his podium finish, Taiga Hada said, “Having scored double podiums in my previous outing at Madras Motor Race Track, I am very excited to register one of the third consecutive time. The support from the crowd was electrifying and that inspired me push harder in every corner. This is one of my most favourite tracks of the calendar and I am going to aim for a win tomorrow.” 

Rajiv Sethu and Anish Shetty qualified in 19th and 20th  in the Asia Production 250cc class. Recovering from a wrist injury, Rajiv picked up the pace and finished within the top 13 on the leaderboard while also setting the best lap time of 1:50.945. Anish was not able to complete the race due to an unfortunate high side on the seventh lap.

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Honda’s Indian team snatches first ARRC podium on home soil 

·         Honda Japanese rider Taiga Hada finishes 3^rd in SS600 race 1

·         In AP250 race 1, Rajiv Shetty earns first point of the season with fastest ever lap time

·         The rookie rider Anish crashes out in 7^th lap

·         Honda’s solo Indian team ‘IDEMITSU Honda Racing India’ gets ready for 2^nd race tomorrow

Chennai, August 04, 2018: Chasing the dream of winning Asia’s top motorsport championship on home-soil, IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team by T. Pro Ten10 Racing made a cracker of a start in the Round 4 of Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). Today proved to be a historic day with the Indian flag flying high on the podium for the first time.

 For 19 year old Japanese rider Taiga Hada – the solo entry of IDEMITSU Honda Racing India in the premier SuperSport 600 (SS600) class, Chennai was sweet start. Earlier today, Hada qualified 6^th in the grid with the fastest lap time of 01.41.384. Pushing ahead full steam, Taiga Hada made a strong start in race 1 and soon started leading the ranks with Anthony West and his play-off keeping all on toes right till the finish. Gaining the first podium of the championship for the solo Indian team, Hada finished 3^rd. Winning 16 points in race 1, Hada is now with 40 points and in top 7 of the championship.

 Meanwhile, with 24 riders completing the Asia Production 250 (AP250) grid, Indian boys qualified at 19^th and 20^th. Race 1 was a mixed bag for the Indian riders. Fresh from leading the national championship and his recent international exposure at Thai Talent Cup, this was the first race for the 20 year old Chennai boy Rajiv Sethu after the full recovery of wrist injury. Picking up ranks in the close contested race, Rajiv quickly climbed up to finish in the top 13, thereby scoring his first 3 points of the season with his best lap time of 1:50:945. Meanwhile, for the rookie rider Anish Shetty the high slide in the 7^th lap prevented him from finishing the race.

 Sharing his excitement with the Indian team’s performance in Round 4 of Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) 2018 in Chennai, Mr. Prabhu Nagaraj, Vice President – Brand & Communication, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are extremely delighted with the performance in home soil. Making us proud, Taiga Hada’s first podium and Rajiv Sethu’s first points for the season is a major reason to cheer for us. Anish’s crash was unfortunate but I am sure he will bounce back stronger tomorrow. The pace has been set today and I am confident that our riders will give us more reason to celebrate tomorrow.”

 Talking about today’s race, RAJIV SETHU – IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team by T.Pro Ten10 rider said, “While I had a bad start today and I was confident of the setup of my bike. Too many riders crowding around me which kept pushing me outside of the racing line. But I kept my cool and kept gaining on everyone. Climbing 6 positions, I am ecstatic to score my first points for the season in front of the home crowd. My recent stint in the Thai Talent Cup has been a game changer, giving me more exposure to the highly competitive international racing. With this huge morale boost I will soak pressure better and push harder tomorrow.”

 Scoring a morale boosting podium, TAIGA HADA – IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team by T.Pro Ten10 rider, “Having scored double podiums in my previous outing at Madras Motor Race Track, I am very excited to register one of the third consecutive time. The support from the crowd was electrifying and that inspired me push harder in every corner. This is one of my most favourite tracks of the calendar and I am going to aim for a win tomorrow.”

 Results: