Honda plans Isle of Man celebration

From Honda Motorcycles

This year celebrates a landmark for Honda with its 50th anniversary of racing – which started at the Isle of Man TT in 1959.

Honda (UK) is looking forward to this year’s TT, which will be held May 30-June 13, with the aim of adding to Honda’s impressive tally of TT and wider racing accolades, furthering the HM Plant Honda team’s road racing successes and supporting John McGuinness’ quest to take second place in the line up of all time TT victories behind Joey Dunlop.

Although wishing to concentrate all efforts on racing activities in order to continue Honda’s successful history at the TT, Honda (UK) will be celebrating the Japanese manufacturer’s 2009 TT campaign with a range of commemorative items.

In association with the Isle of Man Post Office, a 50th anniversary of racing set of commemorative stamps will be launched into circulation on May 11. Each stamp will feature one of Honda’s legendary riders spanning the decades of Honda’s competition at the TT, to include Naomi Taniguchi ('50s), Mike Hailwood ('60s), Alex George ('70s), Dunlop ('80s), Steve Hislop ('90s) and current 14-times TT winner McGuinness ('00s). The set of six stamps will retail at £4.50, with a collector’s First Day Cover available at £5.20 and specially designed presentation folder retailing at £5.25.

The Treasury of the Isle of Man has approved the release of a new 50 pence circulating coin to mark Honda’s 50th anniversary of world championship racing. This new coin, produced by Pobjoy Mint - Europe’s largest private mint - depicts McGuinness on a CBR1000RR Fireblade from his record breaking lap in 2007, above the celebratory dates 1959 – 2009. The design also contains the 2009 Isle of Man TT logo as well as the Honda Wing logo, highlighting the close association between the two organizations.

The commemorative coin and stamps will also be available jointly in a specially designed limited edition collector’s presentation folder. Imagery and a circulation date for the coin will be released in the near future.

A commemorative plaque at the site of Honda’s original TT team’s garage in Onchan (the site of the old Nursery Hotel) will be unveiled on Sunday June 7 by Shigeru Takagi, Senior Managing Director Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and President of Honda Motor Europe.

A stylish official anniversary book has been commissioned and will be launched in July following the TT, to ensure that all stories and results from the full 50 years are included. Written by seasoned TT author Mick Duckworth, the book recounts Honda’s history at the Isle of Man TT and its influence on the company over the years. Further details of the book’s price and availability will be released during the TT in June.

Honda (UK) is also looking forward to hosting some special guests on the island throughout this year’s TT, to include original Honda rider, Naomi Taniguchi, the 1959 team’s translator, Keiko Carran, as well as former Honda racing stars including Phillip McCallen and Ron Haslam.

Honda (UK) would like to thank the Isle of Man government and Manx National Heritage for organising the ‘Honda: The Golden Age 1959-1967’ anniversary exhibition at The Manx Museum, which will be open during the course of the 2009 TT. The exhibition will mark the 50th anniversary of Honda’s arrival at the TT in 1959 and chart the growing involvement of the company in the 1960s, reflecting Soichiro Honda’s belief that the Isle of Man TT represented the pinnacle of motorcycle racing achievement.

“Going to the TT is always exciting for racing fans and for Honda, as our relationship with the Island is something very special," said Steve Martindale, general manager for Honda (UK). "The exciting racing which we’re sure to see from the HM Plant Honda team, combined with Honda’s celebratory activities is certain to make this year an exceptional anniversary of world championship racing for Honda. We would like to thank the Isle of Man Government especially, for their fantastic recognition of this significant year for Honda and the activities they have organised to help commemorate the occasion.”