'First-timers welcome': 40% of Honda one-make race entries new this year

Honda Korea has wrapped up its 2026 Honda One-Make Race series, a small-motorcycle racing competition that drew 91 entries this year — about 40 percent of which were first-time participants.

The company announced Monday that the series concluded with its fourth and final round, held Sunday at Belfore Moto Arena in Jeungpyeong, North Chungcheong Province.

The Honda One-Make Race is organized by the Korea Mini Race Federation and runs two classes: the Honda MSX Cup and the Honda Curb Cup, both using Honda motorcycles.

Now in its fourth year, the series is designed to let everyday riders — not just professional racers — experience circuit competition through the use of small-displacement motorcycles.

Honda Korea has focused on lowering the cost barrier to entry. The company offers a once-a-year free loan program for race-spec vehicles, and riders can separately rent safety equipment such as racing suits and boots for an additional fee.

First-time entrants who compete through the Honda Korea Official Team also receive a subsidy toward their entry fee, and a 15 percent discount applies when purchasing a competition vehicle. The official team, in operation since 2024, serves as a regional support channel that assists riders with race inquiries, vehicle purchases and setup.

Backed by those support programs, the four-round series — which ran from April — drew 91 entries in total, roughly 40 percent of them new to the competition.

The final round on Sunday drew 27 entries, 11 of whom were first-time participants.

Yang Ho-rim of Red Blitz took the Honda MSX Cup title, while Kim Jong-hun of Red Blitz NRC crossed the finish line first in the Honda Curb Cup.

Honda Korea said it plans to use the one-make race series to give more everyday motorcycle riders access to circuit driving and to broaden the domestic mini moto racing community.