Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) is stepping up to the challenge of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) this year with a single-bike entry in SuperSports 600 (SS600). And they’ll be doing so with HPI Racing Team rider Troy Alberto.
Powered by Shell V Power, the team will run a Honda CBR600RR in all 7 seven rounds of the ARRC under the name ‘Honda Philippines-Okada Manila-Access Plus Racing’. Their rider, on the other hand, was the lone Filipino rider in the Honda Thailand Talent Cup last year where he finished on the podium on four occasions. The 18-year-old is also a 2-time Philippine Superbike Class Champion and has raced in the FIM CEV European Talent Cup and Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup during previous seasons.
Together, HPI and Troy Alberto will make their ARRC debut at the curtain raiser this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Meanwhile, his older brother TJ is returning to the top-tier ASB1000 category with Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila onboard a Ducati Panigale V4R. The official pre-season test is scheduled on March 2/4 followed by Round 1 on March 6/8.
HPI’s entry in the ARRC is in line with Honda’s ONE DREAM campaign, which aims to make Honda Motorcycles serve as tools in achieving Filipino’s dreams.
2020 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship Race Schedule
Pre-Season Test | March 2-4 (Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia)
Round 1 | March 6-8 (Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia)
Round 2 | May 7-10 (The Bend Motorsport Park, Australia)
Round 3 | June 26-28 (Suzuka Circuit, Japan)
Round 4 | July 24-26 (Zhuhai International Circuit, China)
Round 5 | August 21-23 (Chang International Circuit, Thailand)
Round 6 | September 25-27 (Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia)
Round 7 | November 27-29 (Chang International Circuit, Thailand)
Troy Alberto: “I’m really excited for the upcoming season. For the past two years I’ve been racing mostly small 250cc bikes. Although it’s been a good learning experience, I’m looking forward now to moving up to SS600 with Honda Philippines Inc. and the CBR600RR. I’ve ridden bigger bikes in the past and I believe that my riding style and frame would fit really well to the bike. All in all I’m just looking forward to it all and I can’t wait to start racing.
Susumu Mitsuishi, Honda Philippines, Inc.: “Since 2018, we saw good potential of Troy at Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup and Honda Thailand Talent Cup. We are happy and proud of Troy to have stepped up to ARRC SS600 this year and we bid Troy the best of Luck and we will cheer for him and the whole team.“
Toti Alberto, Team Principal: “Looking forward competing in SS600 through this new partnership with Honda Philippines Inc. Troy has steadily climbed up the ranks in motorcycle racing with HPI and we’re glad to be part of his new endeavor as Access Plus Racing. It’s going to be a new challenge for all of us, but I’m confident we can deliver strong results with this strong relationship.”
Honda Philippines-Okada Manila-Access Plus Racing is sponsored by Honda Philippines Inc., Okada Manila, Macbeth, Öhlins Philippines, AELLA, Lv8, Standard Insurance, and Shell V Power.
