Source: Supplied.

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has announced that test rider Takumi Takahashi will participate in the Japanese round of MotoGP as a wildcard.

The race will mark 25-year-old Takahashi’s – best known for his 2010, 2013 and 2014 Suzuka 8 Hours victories – MotoGP debut as part of the Team HRC with NISSIN outfit.

“We are very happy that Takumi will be able to have practical experience in MotoGP as a wildcard rider,” Shuhei Nakamoto, executive vice president of HRC, said. “He is a growing young gun as a test rider and I hope he is able to demonstrate his abilities with a strong performance in front of all the home fans. Please support him and HRC.”

Takumi Takahashi: “I have taken part in MotoGP tests several times and have been able to witness the level of the top riders with my own eyes. I am very excited to have this opportunity to participate in a MotoGP race and I would like to thank HRC for this opportunity. I will do my best and work at 100 percent hoping to match everyone’s expectation.”

HRC’s wildcard in Grand Prix of Japan on 11 October will be the first since 2011 with Shinichi Ito. Takahashi currently races in the All Japan Road Race JSB1000 Championship for MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO.