Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tokyo, January 15, 2021 --- Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. (President & CEO: Brice Koch, hereinafter “Hitachi Astemo”) announce that for the 2021 season, they will continue to sponsor Real Racing, a competitor in the GT500 class of the SUPER GT series, and S.I. Racing, a competitor in the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship series. Keihin Corporation, which integrated into Hitachi Astemo on January 1, 2021, formerly sponsored both Real Racing and S.I. Racing.
As of the 2021 season, the color scheme of both teams' designs will be changed to match the brand colors of Astemo, Hitachi Astemo's business brand.
Hitachi Astemo will continue to contribute to the promotion of motorsports by sponsoring motorsports in Japan and overseas aiming to strengthen motorsports and increase the number of fans.
－ Automotive
SUPER GT Series GT500 Class
| Team Name | Astemo REAL RACING |
|---|---|
| Director | Katsutomo Kaneishi |
| Driver | Koudai Tsukakoshi, Bertrand Baguette |
| Name of the entry vehicle | Astemo NSX-GT (No.17) (maker：Honda) |
－ Motorcycle
MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000 Class
| Team Name | Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing |
|---|---|
| Director | Shinichi Ito |
| Rider | Ryuichi Kiyonari |
| Name of the entry vehicle | Honda CBR1000RR-R (No.2) (maker：Honda) |
MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship ST1000 Class
| Team Name | Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing |
|---|---|
| Director | Shinichi Ito |
| Rider | Kosuke Sakumoto, Kazuma Watanabe |
| Name of the entry vehicle | Honda CBR1000RR-R (No.3)(No.TBD) (maker：Honda) |
－ Automotive
SUPER GT Series GT500 class
Katsutomo Kaneishi, Director
We are very happy to have Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. as our partner for this season, and we are ready to start as "Astemo REAL RACING". The entire team will be working hard to make this new season a memorable one.
Last year, we were able to win two races as a team for the first time in a single season, but we were not able to win the series title. However, we were able to improve certain strengths that had been lacking until now. We will do our best to win the championship this year.
Koudai Tsukakoshi, Driver
In 2021, I will be competing in Super GT with Astemo REAL RACING.
I am honored to be able to fight with Astemo REAL RACING in the year of their launch as a new company. I am fully dedicated to winning the title this year and so I will improve my speed and strength even more than last year. I look forward to your support this season.
Bertrand Baguette, Driver
It is a new era for Real Racing going red to defend the Astemo colors.
I am always happy to be racing with the colors of a strong company and cannot wait to drive the new car design on track. I will do my best to be winning races and together with Koudai and the whole team I want to take my revenge and win the title this year. Please cheer for us!
－ Motorcycle
Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing
Shinichi Ito, Director
We are very honored to be sponsored by Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. for the 2021 season.
We have received a lot of technical support from Hitachi Astemo, including ECU, suspension, brakes, and others, and we will work hard to finish the car so that we can demonstrate excellent performance.
We will do our best as a team, aiming for a race that will impress everyone and to be the best in Japan this season. We look forward to your support.
Ryuichi Kiyonari, Rider (JSB1000 class)
I will be competing in JSB1000 class this season with Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing. I would like to thank Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. for their support. Last year, I was able to finish 2nd in the series ranking.
This year, I will fight for the series championship. Thank you for your support.
Kosuke Sakumoto, Rider (ST1000 class)
I will be racing in the ST1000 class with Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing this season.
The team name has changed from last year, but I am very happy to be able to compete with the same team and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in this race.
I will do my best to win the championship, so please give me your support.
Kazuma Watanabe, Rider (ST1000 class)
I am from Astemo Honda Dream SI Racing participating in ST1000 class, 2021. I am so glad to participate in the same team as the last year and to have your support again.
I would like to continue my efforts to ride for the championship.
Thank you for your support in advance!
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Hitachi Astemo is a joint venture between Hitachi, Ltd. and Honda Motor Co. Hitachi Astemo is a technology company that develops, manufactures, sells, and services automotive and transportation components as well as industrial machinery and systems. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.hitachiastemo.com/
