Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the country, is set to take on the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) as it confirms Troy Alberto for SuperSports 600 (SS600) this year. Its single-bike entry be run together with Access Plus Racing and compete as Honda Philippines-Okada Manila-Access Plus Racing.
HPI Racing Team rider Troy Alberto is no stranger to international racing competitions. He was the lone Filipino rider in the Honda Thailand Talent Cup last year and finished on the podium on four occasions. The 18-year-old is also a two-time Philippine Superbike Class Champion and has raced in the FIM CEV European Talent Cup and Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup in previous years.
This 2020, Alberto will compete in all seven rounds of the ARRC onboard a Honda CBR600RR from HPI. The curtain raiser will take place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this March, followed by races in Australia, Japan, China, and conclude in Thailand on November.
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, Essenza, AELLA, Öhlins Philippines, and Dickies Philippines.
For more info and the latest updates about the team, follow www.facebook.com/AccessPlusRacingPH/ on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/hondaph/, and www.facebook.com/TroyAlberto9Official/.