HONDA’S 585 WINS IN 46 INCREDIBLE YEARS
Little did people realise just what a massive impact Honda would have on grand prix motorcycle racing when their legendary founder Soichiro Honda arrived at the 1959 TT races in the Isle of Man. Forty-six-years later Honda continue to be the major player in grand prix racing amassing a staggering 585 grand prix wins since those tentative steps in the 125cc TT race.
Four years ago Honda fi ttingly secured their 500th grand prix victory at their home circuit in Japan. Their record in all classes, ranging from 50cc to MotoGP, can’t be matched by any other manufacturer. Honda commence their 46th year in grand prix racing displaying the same technical innovation and enthusiasm that fi rst brought them and Soichiro Honda to the Isle of Man 46 years ago.
Hondas fi rst grand prix victory came at Montjuich Park in Barcelona at the 1961 Spanish Grand Prix where Australian Tom Phillis opened the history books on the 125cc RC143 Honda. It was the opening of the fl oodgates as Honda won grands prix in all five classes, 50, 125, 250 ,350 and 500cc. The glorious sounding multi-cylinder four-strokes fearlessly ridden with skill and bravery by the likes of the legendary Mike Hailwood, Jim Redman and Luigi Taveri in the never to be forgotten era of the sixties.
When two-strokes took over the mantle of the four-strokes Honda returned to the fray in the early eighties with the same end result. Freddie Spencer, Wayne Gardner, Eddie Lawson, fi ve times World Champion Mick Doohan, Alex Criville and Valentino Rossi brought Honda grand prix and World Championship success on the 500cc two-strokes. It was very much the same story in the smaller classes with Camel Honda Team Principle Sito Pons bringing the Manufacturer two 250cc titles and 14 grand prix victories in the late eighties. Three years MotoGP returned to its four-stroke roots and it was Honda leading the charge. Their innovative RC 211V 990 cc five cylinder four-stroke dominating the title chase for the fi rst two years with Italian Valentino Rossi.
Since the start of Soichiro Honda’s great adventure 46 years ago, Honda has become a massive global Manufacturing Corporation. However they have never lost the spirit and excitement of competition on two and four wheels at the highest level. It was that same passion that fi rst brought them to the Isle of Man almost fi fty years ago.
Honda Grand Prix victories 1959 - 2003
50cc 13
125cc 157
250cc 188
350cc 35
500/MotoGP 192
Specification :
Engine Four stroke atmospheric, five cylinders
Head layout Double over head camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity: 990cc
Gearbox: 6 gears
Electronic Honda integrated injection and ignition system
Frame Aluminium twin tube
Overall length: 2050 mm
Overall width: 645 mm
Overall height: 1130 mm
Wheelbase: 1440 mm
Road clearance: 130 mm
Front suspension: Upside-down telescopic Showa front fork
Rear suspension: Rear mono shock Showa, Honda Unit – Prolink linkage system
Wheels Magnesium forged
Brake system Front double carbon disk, rear steel disk
Tyres: Michelin
Power: over 200 PS
Weight: 148 kg
Fuel tank capacity: 22 litres
Camel Honda RC211V -
06/05/2005, 15h31
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