Honda’s riders Rajiv Sethu and Anish Shetty chase the Indian dream

Honda 2Wheeler India’s solo Indian team is all set to make the country proud in an international level. After an intense 3 rounds in Thailand, Australia and Japan; Round 4 of Asia’s most prestigious motorsport championship – FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) kicks-off in home soil (Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai) from 3 – 5 August, 2018.

Taking Indian racing talent international, Honda has formed India’s first ever racing team ‘IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team by T Pro Ten10’in ARRC in the 2018 season. This weekend, Indian rider duo of Rajiv Sethu (#80) and Anish Shetty (#81) clash against the titans in Asia Production 250 (AP250) class. Additionally, fighting for a win in SuperSport 600 (SS 600) is the team’s third rider, Taiga Hada (#23) from Japan.

Sharing an overview of the Indian team’s strategy in Chennai round of Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), Mr. Prabhu Nagaraj, Vice President, Brand and Communications, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Honda 2Wheelers India has a dream to develop iconic Indian riders of international level. With our first ever Indian team in Asia Road Racing Championship, Honda is taking Indian motorsport global. By now, Rajiv and Anish are now more attuned to their machines and competition. Our riders are fittest ever before the Chennai round, both physically and mentally. A strong race strategy is already in place. Parallely, our improved race machines will better perform in the heat. Overall, we are ready from all fronts to take the challenge head on in our home turf. Honda is confident of a strong finish by our boys.”

 As part of the debutant Honda Racing India team, Anish and Rajiv have picked up pace in the 3 rounds of ARRC till now. The rookie Anish made India proud by scoring his first ever international points in Australia. In Japan, the duo gained positions to finish in top 25. Parallely, the Japanese Rider Taiga Hada (#23) has already clinched 9 points in SuperSport 600 class.

After making full recovery from his wrist injury, Honda’s second timer in Asia Production 250 class of Asia Road Racing Championship Rajiv Sethu said, “With back to back wins in National Championship, rigorous training with Honda Racing and global exposure of racing in Thai Talent Cup, I am entering Chennai with high confidence. I’m now better adapted to the new bike (CBR 250RR). Honda’s racing experts have helped me overcome my weakness while coming with a race strategy keeping in mind the competition. Fighting for win will be all the more special as this is my home turf.”

The excited rookie rider Anish Shetty from IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team by T Pro Ten10 said, “After the morale booster of earning my first points in Australia, Japan round was a tough one. For me, the biggest challenge was to un-learn my existing riding style and develop the new style. But with the complete backing of Honda Racing team, I have improved my race craft and also worked on my mental fitness. I am now familiar with the bike and have started to get a hang of the pressure of performing amongst best racers of Asia. I want to exploit the home advantage that Chennai track gives me. Honda 2Wheelers India has made my dream to race internationally a reality. Now, my dream is to stand on the podium with my Indian flag flying high.”