During the sixth round of the 2024 All-Japan Championship at Wakayama’s Yuasa Trial Park, Takahisa Fujinami claimed a debut victory for Team HRC with Honda’s new RTL ELECTRIC Prototype.
After a 21-year absence, Fujinami made his comeback to the All-Japan Championship at this weekend’s event in SUGO. It was also the official debut of the new RTL ELECTRIC Prototype. Fujinami rode with his signature number 27, which he first used in 1994 when he joined the top class of the All-Japan Championship. This number holds significance for Fujinami as it was also the number he used during his first World Championship in 1996 and represents two major challenges he overcame in the past.
Takahisa Fujinami, Team HRC #27:
“It has been a long time since I participated in a competition, and this was my first All-Japan Championship round after 21 years. Thanks to the development team for preparing a machine that allowed me to win under pressure. Despite some mistakes in the second half of the first lap and in the special sections, I am grateful to have secured this victory. In two weeks there’s next SUGO competition, and we will continue to refine the machine for optimal performance and aim for another victory. I am also thankful for the opportunity to reunite with the fans on the All-Japan stage. Your support helped me achieve this victory. Thank you very much.”
Fujinami was added to the RTL ELECTRIC Prototype team this spring, and he had only trained on the machine for a mere two weeks. Despite this short preparation time, he entered the competition with a fierce determination to come out on top. However, since he had no prior achievements in the All-Japan series, meant that he started at the very front of the race, which put him at a disadvantage when it came to measuring his competitors’ abilities. He faced a difficult challenge as he attempted sections that no one had ever completed before.
During the first lap, Fujinami easily took the lead with a strong score. As he began the second lap, he made some adjustments to his strategy. In the previous lap, he had lost 17 points in sections 7 to 11, but in this lap, he only gave up 7 points in those sections. Ultimately, his final score for the second lap was 14 points, securing his victory and leaving his competitors unable to catch up. It was clear that Fujinami’s victory was secured.
Hikaru Tsukamoto, Director, Honda R&D and Managing Director, Honda Racing Corporation:
“As this was Team HRC’s first race with the electric trial bike, I believe it was a day where rider Fujinami, the assistant, and all the staff learned a lot. We are very pleased with the result of securing 1st place, but we will remain focused for the rest of the planned races. Thank you to everyone who supported us in this venture.”
