The 2022 edition of the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Hunt officially kicked off with Round 1 in Bengaluru. Finalists will get to join Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India’s (HMSI) development programme, with the company looking to train young riders to take on professional racing on a national as well as international level. 

• Round 1 participants were aged between 9 and 17
• Shortlisted candidates move on to Phase 2 for professional training

2022 Honda India Talent Hunt Round 1 held in Bengaluru

Held at the Aruani Grid karting track in Bengaluru, Round 1 saw participation of amateur riders ranging in age from 9 to 17. All nine participants were put through three levels of tests – a physical fitness test, riding skills and manoeuvrability test on track, followed by a one-on-one interview.

Those shortlisted will receive training from Honda in Phase 2, and then compete in another riding test on track.

Winners get to race in Honda India Talent Cup CBR150R

It’s from this pool of talent that Honda will pick young riders for future development.

Finalists will earn the opportunity to race in the Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup’s CBR150R category, which runs as part of the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC). The category is a stepping stone for the NSF250R category, featuring Moto3-spec bikes.

“In the long term, Honda’s focus is to put young Indian talent on multiple national and international platforms like Asia Talent Cup, Asia Road Racing Championship, Endurance championships. I am confident that these budding riders will change the scenario of motorsports in India and make the nation proud, both at national as well as international level,” added Prabhu Nagaraj, Operating Officer, Brand & Communication, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd.

Over the years, the Honda India Talent Hunt has churned out some impressive young riders. This includes Sarthak Chavan – who recently became the first Indian rider to secure a podium in Thailand Talent Cup – and Kavin Quintal, who is representing India in the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup and Thailand Talent Cup.