Tokyo, Japan, Aug.19, 2026 - Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) will launch the “Honda Racing School & Scholarship” in 2027, an overseas race-based program designed to strengthen the development of racing riders capable of competing in the world’s top categories, including MotoGP, the premier class of the FIM^*1 Grand Prix World Championship. The program will give riders experience in international racing at a global standard from a young age.

In recent years, the environment for developing racing riders worldwide has changed significantly. In the past, the primary route to MotoGP was through promotion from domestic championships, but today, results in international racing from a young age are increasingly important.

The increasingly common route begins with Moto4, an entry-level category that serves as a gateway for young riders at events around the world, including the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup for riders aged 14 and over. Riders then gain experience and results in series such as the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship (Moto3 Junior) and the Moto2 European Cup in Europe before progressing to the Moto3 and Moto2 classes of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship. By achieving results at those levels, riders can ultimately progress to MotoGP.

The new Honda Racing School & Scholarship program introduced by HRC will focus on competition in Europe, with the aim of developing the skills needed to compete on the world stage by giving riders international racing experience while still in their teens. HRC will establish a new scholarship system covering part of the cost of competing in Moto4 and Moto3 Junior, creating an environment that enables riders to take on competition at a global standard from an earlier stage.

In addition to its Japan-domestic Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS) ^*2 Moto class, HRC has also operated race-based rider development programs in Asia. Through participation in gateway series such as the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup, these programs have produced riders who have gone on to compete in world championships, including Somkiat Chantra, who competed in MotoGP in 2025 and currently competes in the FIM Superbike World Championship, and Mario Aji, who competes in Moto2 with Idemitsu Honda Team Asia. Building on these initiatives, HRC will place the Honda Racing School & Scholarship at the center of its rider development activities and further accelerate the development of the next generation of top riders who will continue to take on challenges on the world stage.

*1 FIM: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme

*2 A racing driver and rider development school operated by Honda Mobilityland Corporation and Honda Racing Corporation.

“The HRS Moto class has developed many outstanding racing riders over the years and has made a significant contribution to the development of motorsports in Japan. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported the school over the years.

The rider development environment leading to MotoGP and other top-level global categories has changed significantly, and it is becoming increasingly important for riders to gain experience in international racing from a young age. To develop riders capable of winning in the world’s top categories, HRC will further expand the scope of its rider development activities and embark on a new challenge.

HRC will continue to contribute to the further development of motorsports by developing riders who continue to take on the world, guided by Honda’s ‘The Power of Dreams’ and ‘Challenge’ spirit.”

Honda’s racing school began in 1992 with the opening of the Suzuka Circuit Racing School Junior (SRS-J), now the Moto class. The Suzuka Circuit Racing School Kart (SRS-Kart) followed in 1993, and the Suzuka Circuit Racing School Formula (SRS-Formula), now the Formula class, opened in 1995. The school developed into an educational institution that trains both motorcycle riders and automobile racing drivers to compete in the world’s top categories.

In 2022, the school was renamed Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS). Leading riders and drivers active in Japan and overseas serve as instructors and provide training. HRS is also expanding the development categories available to graduates as they progress in their careers, while working to further improve the quality of rider and driver development across both motorcycle and automobile racing categories.