Honda Racing Corporation To Launch Global Rider Scholarship Programme In 2027

The Honda Racing School & Scholarship will support young riders competing in Moto4 and Moto3 Junior in Europe, providing earlier exposure to international racing.

Subscribe to our Instagram channel for the latest info and news!

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) will launch the Honda Racing School & Scholarship in 2027, a new overseas race-based programme aimed at developing young riders capable of competing in the world’s top motorcycle racing categories, including MotoGP.

The programme will focus on giving riders international racing experience from a young age, with HRC introducing a scholarship system to cover part of the costs of competing in selected European racing categories.

According to HRC, the pathway to MotoGP has changed significantly in recent years. While riders previously relied heavily on strong results in domestic championships, international experience and results at a younger age are becoming increasingly important for those targeting the world championship.

The modern pathway typically begins with Moto4, an entry-level category for young riders, including the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup for riders aged 14 and above. Riders can then progress to the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship and Moto2 European Cup before advancing to the Moto3 and Moto2 classes of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship.

HRC’s new programme will therefore place a greater emphasis on competition in Europe, allowing young riders to gain experience racing at an international level while still in their teenage years.

Through the new scholarship system, HRC will provide financial support towards participation in Moto4 and Moto3 Junior, helping create opportunities for riders to compete at a global standard at an earlier stage of their careers.

The Honda Racing School & Scholarship will also build on HRC’s existing rider development programmes in Japan and Asia. HRC currently operates the Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS) Moto class in Japan, while its Asian development activities have included participation in gateway series such as the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup.

These programmes have helped produce riders who later progressed to world championship competition, including Somkiat Chantra and Mario Aji. Chantra competed in MotoGP in 2025 and currently competes in the FIM Superbike World Championship, while Aji competes in Moto2 with Idemitsu Honda Team Asia.

HRC President Koji Watanabe said the changing rider development environment has made international racing experience increasingly important for young riders.

He added that HRC intends to expand its rider development activities to produce racers capable of competing and winning at the highest levels of international motorcycle racing.

The new Honda Racing School & Scholarship will become a central part of HRC’s rider development strategy, complementing its existing programmes while creating a clearer pathway for young riders targeting the world stage.

Honda’s racing school programme dates back to 1992, when the Suzuka Circuit Racing School Junior (SRS-J), now known as the Moto class, was established. The Suzuka Circuit Racing School Kart followed in 1993, while the Suzuka Circuit Racing School Formula (SRS-Formula), now the Formula class, was introduced in 1995.

The school eventually developed into a broader training institution covering both motorcycle and automobile racing, with the aim of preparing young competitors for the world’s highest levels of motorsport.

In 2022, the programme was renamed Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS). Today, experienced riders and drivers competing in Japan and international championships serve as instructors, while HRS continues to expand the categories available to graduates as they progress through their racing careers.

With the Honda Racing School & Scholarship set to begin in 2027, HRC aims to take its rider development programme beyond Japan and Asia, giving the next generation of Honda riders a more direct route into international competition and, ultimately, the MotoGP grid.