Honda and Yamaha are considered the most important [MotoGP] event of the year in Japan. Japanese manufacturers want to make a good impression on local fans and company executives, despite the increasing difficulty of dominance in Europe in recent years. Although Motegi was a tough weekend, Honda organized a special event this year. The brand is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Tokyo; it is celebrating the brand that competed in the premier class of the World Motorcycle Championship for the first time. On this occasion, historical Honda race machines were displayed at the Twin Ring Motegi on Thursday. This exhibition featured the RC181, the first Honda engine to compete in the 500cc class in 1966. With this engine, Mike Hailwood became the World Champion in 1966 and 1967 after Giacomo Agostini. Furthermore, this machine also won a victory in the Brit's Isle of Man race. It is noted that an engineering award was also won in the premier class this year. For a photoshoot, Jim Redman's (#2) machine, a teammate of the era, took the stage instead of Hailwood's machine. Nicky Hayden and Marc Marquez's MotoGP machines were also present at the exhibition. On Sunday, it was announced that Luca Marini and Somkiat Chantra would compete for the Honda team for Joan Mir at the end of the week, with Luca Marini starting in the number 10 and Somkiat Chantra riding as number 15 for Honda. These races were evaluated within the context of the current races at Motegi.
Display of Historic Machines
This section focuses on the history of Japanese manufacturers in MotoGP. The Honda machine RC181, which competed in the premier class of the World Motorcycle Championship for the first time for Honda, was displayed to mark Honda's 60th anniversary. This machine stood out as the first Honda engine to compete in the 500cc class in 1966. This machine ensured that Mike Hailwood became the World Champion in 1966 and 1967 after Giacomo Agostini. It is also emphasized that this machine won a victory in the Brit's Isle of Man race. It is stated that an engineering award was also won in the premier class this year. For a photoshoot, Jim Redman's (#2) machine, a teammate of the era, took the stage instead of Hailwood's machine. Nicky Hayden and Marc Marquez's MotoGP machines were also present at the exhibition.
Races of the New Generation
This section examines current races and future contests. It was announced that Luca Marini and Somkiat Chantra would compete for the Honda team for Joan Mir. At the end of the week, it was recorded that Luca Marini would start in the number 10 and Somkiat Chantra would ride as number 15 for Honda. These contests were evaluated within the context of the current races at Motegi.
With Numbers
- Marc Marquez is competing in 2nd place with 294 points in the 2026 MotoGP season (Ducati Team).
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
