MUMBAI: The tarmac’s heating up in Thailand and so is India’s motorsport ambition. Idemitsu Honda Racing India has touched down at the Chang International Circuit for the season opener of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), scheduled from 25-27 April.

With two teenage riders in the saddle and high hopes in the pit lane, Honda’s move signals more than just another racing season—it’s a full-throttle statement on India’s growing presence in international motorsport.

Representing Honda India in the Asia Production 250cc (AP250) class are 19-year-old Kavin Samaar Quintal and 18-year-old Johann Reeves Emmanuel. Kavin returns with ARRC experience under his helmet, while Johann makes his championship debut after cutting his teeth in the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup and the 2024 Thailand Talent Cup.

“Having raced in the previous season of the ARRC, I have gained invaluable experience and insights into what it takes to compete at this level. In 2025, I am determined to take all my learnings, sharpen my skills further, and aim for a strong finish in the top 10 rankings,” said Quintal.

Emmanuel added, “Being a part of the 2025 ARRC is a huge opportunity for me... I will give it my all to secure a place in the top 10 rankings, and I am truly grateful to Honda Racing India for believing in me.”

The ARRC calendar spans six rounds this season, with stops in Malaysia (30 May–1 June), Japan (July), Indonesia (August), and a December finale back in Thailand. One round’s venue remains under wraps.

Honda’s broader vision is clear: nurture Indian racers for the global stage while flexing its engineering muscle across Asia’s toughest tracks. The strategy blends talent development with brand ambition—bolstering the ‘Make in India’ mission while pushing Indian motorsport beyond the domestic grid.

With two determined teens, a fine-tuned fleet, and an open throttle, Honda Racing India is chasing speed, success, and a shot at the podium.