HMSI unleashes racing excitement with Round 5 of Honda One Make Race

• Honda showcases its core commitment of fun expansion and safety promotion
• CB Twister ‘Novice’ category sees unprecedented response pan-India
• Nearly 2000 people participate in Honda’s Gymkhana and safety riding initiatives

For the 3rd consecutive year, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the 100% owned 2-wheeler subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company, Japan, is successfully participating in Round 5 of ‘Sidvin- FMSCI National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2010’ held at Madras Motor Race Track, Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur, Chennai from 3rd –5th December, 2010.

Honda One Make Race, Round 5
Popularly known as the ‘Honda One Make Race,’ the activity is aimed at providing ‘Fun Riding Experience’ to all participants as well as spectators in a safe and controlled environment.

The ‘Honda One Make Race’ tests the riding capabilities of participants in three broad categories of races- Novice, Intermediate and Expert. While CBR 150R is imported from Thailand for racing in the expert category; the 125cc sports motorcycle CBF Stunner unleashes the racing spirit in Intermediate category. Creating a new and exciting opportunity for racing is the recently launched 110 cc mass model CB Twister which tests the adrenaline of riders in Novice category.

In the final 5th Round of Honda One Make Race, 2010, there will be two races each for CB Twister and CBF Stunner cup, while only one for the CBR150 ‘Expert’ category. Participants will be judged in their respective categories, of which the Top 3 racers will be awarded cash prizes (1st – Rs. 7500, 2nd – Rs. 5000, 3rd – Rs. 2500). HMSI will also award the Grand Championship prize at the end of 5 rounds for CBF Stunner Class and CBR 150 class.

Honda One Make Race – 2010 Overview
Honda has gone a long way in promoting the Fun-Biking culture in India. Through the five rounds of Honda One Make Race, 2010 biking enthusiasts and spectators have appreciated Honda’s efforts towards expansion of ‘fun’ culture and its various safety promotion initiatives.

The ‘fun’ riding culture is now being adopted among new demographics and geographies. Over 100 first time riders have participated in the five rounds of Honda One Make Race, 2010 from nearly 35 cities across India including Rohtak, Udaipur, Cuttack, Salem and Jalgaon.

In addition to the two established categories of the Honda One Make Race – CBR150R for Expert class & CBF Stunner for Intermediates, this year Honda introduced ‘fun’ biking culture to masses. The new ‘Novice’ category became an instant success with over 250 riders competing for podium on the 110cc mass model CB Twister.

Honda’s initiatives for ‘Safety Promotion’
Safety is an issue very close to Honda’s heart. During the five rounds, Honda engaged over 2161 biking enthusiasts, journalists and spectators through various fun, Safety riding and Gymkhana activities. These activities gave the visitors an opportunity to get tips on safe riding from the Safety Riding Instructors. Honda also spread its belief that fun-biking can also be safe.

Participants and spectators alike, enjoyed slow riding (an activity that aims at enhancing bike balance), female safety riding trainings and the highly popular Gymkhana activities (a ‘fun’ riding activity focusing on enhancing rider maneuverability and road-sense) at the Round 5 of Honda One Make Race, 2010. Even kids enjoyed learning safety riding with the CRF-50 model which has been specially designed to give them an experience and education on two-wheeler & road safety.

Aiding first time riders with overall balance, Honda set up its riding trainers which simulate various traffic, road and weather conditions so that riders can develop a healthy road sense. Currently, 294 of Honda dealerships are equipped with these riding trainers. In the current financial year, Honda aims to provide all its dealerships with the riding trainers.

Honda’s initiatives for Expansion of ‘Fun’ Culture
Honda globally acclaimed fun bikes - CBR1000RR Fireblade & CB1000R – introduced last year, are now very popular among Indian biking enthusiasts. Honda’s latest addition to this category - the 1237cc sports-tourer VFR1200F is the next step towards building up Fun-Biking culture among biking enthusiasts in India. With its state-of-the-art technology, VFR1200F delivers a combination of sports and touring capabilities to premium Indian customers who are actively on a look out for brands that have a high ‘FUN’ quotient.

Excerpts from Company officials-
“We will continue our efforts in promoting the fun biking culture in India in a controlled & safe manner. As a responsible member of society Honda always believes in nurturing the youngsters with safe fun biking with our nationwide spread of Gymkhana activities” – said Mr. N.K Rattan, Operation Head, Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.

About Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.:
Honda is the world s largest manufacturer of 2-wheelers. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), is a 100% owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Company Ltd., Japan. Current HMSI products include 110cc New Activa, 102cc New Dio & 110cc Aviator in Scooters and 110cc CB Twister, 125cc CB Shine, 125cc CBF Stunner, 125cc CBF Stunner (PGM-FI), 150cc CB Unicorn & 150cc CB Unicorn Dazzler in Motorcycles.

To expand the culture of ‘fun’ biking, Honda has also introduced 1000cc sports bike CBR1000RR Fireblade, 1000cc naked sports bike CB1000R and the 1200cc sports-tourer VFR 1200F in the Indian market. All products have been well received in the market and have created new benchmarks in their respective categories.

For more information visit: www.honda2wheelersindia.com

For further information, please contact:
Ms.Vibhuti Dimri / Ms. Namrata Pant
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.
E-mail: vibhuti.dimri@honda2wheelersindia.com , vibhuti.dimri@honda2wheelersindia.com