Honda Asia Dream Cup 2015
Honda Asia Dream Cup 2015 -3 Chennai racers representing India
Indian racing contingent -> Sarath Kumar, Hari Krishnan Rajagopalan, S Rajiv
To compete against 19 riders of 11 Asian countries in the 6 round Asia Dream Cup 2015. Asia Dream Cup – a Honda brainchild to develop Indian racers of ernational repute. Part of Honda’s game-plan to develop Indian racers of Moto3 and MotoGP calibre. If in Top 8 of Championship, Honda rider gets chance to participate in Moto 3 Qualifying. 2014 Asia Dream Cup podium winner Sarath Kumar, 24, records best lap of 1:20:768
Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), April 24, 2015: India’s three ace racers made a promising start at the much-awaited motor racing tourney- Asia Dream Cup 2015. Supported by Honda, the Indian trio – Shankar Sarath Kumar, Hari Krishnan Rajagopalan and Sethu Rajiv competed with 19 le crème of Asia’s motorsport talent. Honda selected all three of them basis their strong and consistent performance in the 2014 edition of Honda One Make Race Championship held in India.
Sarath clocked 8 points over two rounds including a credible best lap of 1:20:768. Looking to build on his podium finish at the Qatar-leg of the ADC last year, Sarath Kumar was quickly off the blocks. Unfortunately he suffered from a pedal during the first-race that pushed him to 10th place. A two-time Honda One Make Race Champion (2014 and 2013), besides being the first-Indian rider to participate in 125GP and Moto-3 CEV Championship, Sarath, 24, is keen to build on this performance in the next-five rounds.
For the other 2 Indians – Hari Krishnan and Rajiv S., it was their first foray into ADC 2015. Hari Krishnan, 21, managed the credible feat of finishing both-rounds in his debut race and bagging 6 points. For the 17 year-old Rajiv, the 14 lap race was a steep learning curve.
Congratulating the 3 Indian racers on their promising performance in Round 1 of Asia Dream Cup, Mr. Keita Muramatsu, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.said,” We are rooting for podium win by the Indian contingent of Sarath Kumar, Hari Krishnan Rajagopalan and Sethu Rajiv. Honda wants to popularize motorsport culture in India. As first step, we have handpicked the best talent from home-grown Honda One Make Race platform and are nurturing them through the Asia Dream Cup. Our objective is to see them grow and hopefully represent India in the coveted Moto3 and later Moto GP championships.”
The racers now move to Sentul International Asian MotoGP Circuit in Indonesia for the next-round, to be held from May 04–07, 2015.
About Asia Dream Cup
The Asia Dream Cup is a unique motorsport platform by Honda Motor Company, Japan. Through this, Honda develops motorsport talent and skills amongst Asian riders.
Starting April, the 2015 season will see 19 promising racers from 11 Asian countries (Japan, Thailand, Philippines, China, Malaysia, Australia, Taipei, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India) sweating it out on 5 international circuits (Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar & Thailand) over 6 exciting rounds ending December,2015. The steep learning curve will only continue as Honda will give a chance to the top 8 racers of the 2015 Asia Dream Cup season to race in the qualifying of the prestigious 2016 Moto3 championship next year!
Nurturing motorsport talent from India, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has sponsored three most promising Indian racers to compete with Asia’s best racers astride the CBR 250R performance motorcycle in 2015.