Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the country, officially begins its 2019 Motorsports season by conducting the Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup (HPDC) Tryouts last Saturday, January 26, at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. This served as the official selection process for nine talented young riders who will participate in the official races and undergo training in the Honda Racing Clinic.
HPDC is a Motor Sports program of HPI which aims to develop young riders in motorcycle racing using a specific one make race machine, namely the CBR150R – a 150cc, MotoGP DNA motorcycle.
The HPDC is also a step up program of HPI to young riders to qualify for international race programs of Honda and immerse in different environments to become better equipped for competitions.
Several riders registered as the day began, and the program was officially opened by HPI’s Adviser for Motorsports, Mr. Ryosuke Arai. Then Mr. Gilbert Sison, Group Head for Motorsports, welcomed the esteemed judges tasked to select the riders, namely racing coach Joey Rivero and Troy Alberto, international racer and HPI’s representative in Thai Talent Cup and Asia Talent Cup last 2018. They also oriented the participants on the try-out process and session inside the 4.2 km Race Track. Also present in the event is Mr. Eduardo Lumague, president– Unified Sports and Racing Association (USRA).
Riders of the ages twelve to seventeen were qualified to participate in the program to pursue their passion of racing and hone their skills through the Honda Racing Clinic, which will be taught by Joey Rivero himself.
At 10AM, sessions on the track began, with four sessions held in total and a Final Shoot out at the end. Riders showcased their skills and were evaluated by Rivero, Alberto, and Sison. Finally, nine riders and one reserve were able to qualify for HPDC, which are the following:
- Carl James “Chino” P. Hung
- Kurt Tristan “Ostong” Villanueva
- Michael Nicol D. Lee
- Christopher John “Kokoy” Mangibin
- Sean Andrej Ondillo
- Marco Gil D. Ventenilla
- Joshua Gabriel S. De Leon
- Travhys Ivan Joe Paralejas
- Alfred Jakob Sablaya
Familiar names such as reigning HPDC champion Alfred Jakob Sablaya and strong contender Sean Andrej Ondillo rejoins the competition, to be challenged by several new and promising talents.
With this, HPI looks forward to the upcoming HPDC Rounds with the young riders along with the accompanying Racing Clinic. Here is the schedule:
| Event | Date | Circuit |
| Honda Racing Clinic 1 | Apr. 27 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| Round 1 | May 4-5 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| Round 2 | Jun. 1-2 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| Honda Racing Clinic 2 | Jun. 29 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| Round 3 | Jul. 6-7 | Clark International Speedway |
| Round 4 | Aug. 3-4 | Clark International Speedway |
| Honda Racing Clinic 3 | Aug. 31 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| Round 5 | Sep 7-8 | Batangas Racing Circuit |
| Round 6 | Oct 5-6 | Clark International Speedway |
The HPDC is running in the same schedule with the National Motorcycle Circuit Racing Championship and is sanctioned by Unified Sports and Racing Association (USRA).
For more information, follow Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook – www.facebook.com/hondaph/ or visit their official website – www.hondaph.com
