Honda Celebrates 50 Years Since Entering Premier Class World Grand Prix Racing with RC181 Photography

Honda celebrates half a century since it first entered premier class World Grand Prix #racing, by photographing its original #racing machine, the #rc181, alongside its current #motogp contestant, the RC213V.

The photo session was a rare #event, bringing MotoGP’s current top riders #marcmarquez and #danipedrosa from Repsol #honda Team face to face with a championship-winning bike from half a century ago. The photo shoot was conducted at Twin Ring Motegi, which will be hosting Round 15 of the FIM #motogp World Championship, the Grand Prix of Japan, this weekend.

Honda first entered World Grand Prix #racing in 1959, in the 125cc class at the Isle of Man TT. Two years later, #honda claimed its first victory, and its first championship title. In 1966, #honda forayed into the premier class (which was the 500cc class at the time).

The extremely powerful #rc181, powered by an air-cooled 4-stroke 4-valve straight 4-cylinder DOHC engine, debuted in the opening round, the German Grand Prix, to claim its first victory with a dominating 26-second lead. It went on to win 5 of the 9 grands prix in the season, not only giving #honda the manufacturers title, but contributing to Honda’s clean sweep of all five classes (50cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, and 500cc).

Since then, #honda has won 277 500cc / #motogp grands prix (at the end of Round 14 this season), and 38 riders and constructors titles. The #rc181 is the machine that marks Honda’s first step into successfully competing in the premier class.