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Konica Minolta sponsors Honda team MotoGP JiR 2005
Mark Peters : April 10th 2005 - 16:05 CET
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 Konica Minolta sponsors Honda team MotoGP JiR 2005 : Konica Minolta Holdings is pleased to announce that it will sponsor a new racing team “JiR” (Japan Italy Racing) participating in the world’s most prominent motorcycle road racing, the World Championship “MotoGP Class” this year. The new team will be named “Konica Minolta Honda team,” and the Japanese rider, Makoto Tamada, will race with this team. Tamada is successful in taking two wins at the World Championship last year, and there is an expectation that the team is challenging to win the annual championship in 2005 Konica Minolta aims to widely show its active corporate image worldwide. With this sponsorship Konica Minolta expects to increase its brand recognition worldwide.
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 Konica Minolta Honda Team - Top 3
The MotoGP is one of the top three sporting events in Europe together with F1, and succor. In Japan, its popularity and image is emerging with the winning of Japanese GP by Makoto Tamada last September 2004. The internationally recognized MotoGP has the top class exposure in terms of broadcasting, audience, and visitors (approximately 1.6 million). Backed by such popularity, and constantly winning Honda machines, Konica Minolta assumes to increase its global brand value and attention.
Konica Minolta Honda Team - Profile of Makoto Tamada
Makoto Tamada began riding a pocket bike at the age of nine, qualified as an international A class rank in 1994, and since 1995, started his career in All Japan Championship and constantly ranked in high positions. From 2003, he moved to the world stage to join the most prominent motorcycle road racing "MotoGP Class" and ranked 11th with powerful racing from the debut year. In 2004, he took two wins - the first in the Brazil GP, and the second in Japan GP. He is one of the most promising riders to mark high ranking this year as well.
Konica Minolta Honda Team - MotoGP Calendar 2005
Grand Prix Spain - April 10 - Circuit Jerez
Grand Prix Portugal - April 17 - Circuit Estoril
Grand Prix China - May 1 - Circuit Shanghai
Grand Prix France - May 15 - Circuit Le Mans
Grand Prix Italy - June 5 - Circuit Mugello
Grand Prix Catalunya - June 12 - Circuit Montmelo
Grand Prix Holland June 25 - Circuit Assen
Grand Prix USA - July 10 - Circuit Laguna Seca
Grand Prix Britain - July 24 - Circuit Donington Park
Grand Prix Germany - July 31 - Circuit Sachsenring
Grand Prix Czech Republic - August 28 - Circuit Brno
Grand Prix Japan - September 18 - Circuit Twin Ring Motegi
Grand Prix Malaysia - September 25 - Circuit Sepang
Grand Prix Qatar - October 1 - Circuit Losail
Grand Prix Australia - October 16 - Circuit Phillip Island
Grand Prix Turkey - October 23 - Circuit Istanbul
Grand Prix Valencia - November 5 - Circuit Valencia
Konica Minolta Honda Team – MotoGP background information
MotoGP, promoted by FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme), is the world’s most prominent series of annual motorcycle road racing event held in five continents. Its official name is "FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix," and the Konica Minolta Honda team will participate in the highest "MotoGP Class". This year, the racing events will take place in "Twin Ring Motegi" in Japan, and such circuits as Sachsenring (Germany), Jerez (Spain), and Assen (Holland) in Europe. The race will also be held for the first time in Shanghai (China), and for the first time in eleven years in Laguna Seca (USA). We are expecting further increase in its popularity in Asia and the USA as well as in Europe. MotoGP is the world’s premium motorsports for its "Speed," "High Technology," and "Internationality." In terms of "Speed," the machines compete in maximum speed of more than 300km per hour, which is the same level as F1. In terms of "High Technology," it is a fusion of top-notch engine and machine technologies, and also the combination of human wisdom and technology. In terms of "Internationality," starting with European countries, it is widely broadcasted in about 200 countries and viewed by 5.2 billion enthusiastic racing fans.
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