A year later, Honda started competing at the Mount Asama Volcano Race, located in a village at the foot of an active volcano on the island of Honshu in Japan. The track surface round the 18 kms circuit was compressed volcanic ash. Their main competition came from Yamaha and Suzuki. A decade later they were fighting each other for World titles. Mr Honda finally returned to the Isle of Man in 1959. This time no suitcase and notebook but with a team to compete in the World Championship. It was the opening round of the 125cc World Championship, ten laps around the shortened 17.365 kms Clypse TT circuit. Three Japanese riders who had never competed a full race on a tarmac surface and American Bill Hunt who was also the liaison officer for the team. The Team Manager was Kiyoshi Kawashima, who later became President of the Honda Motor Company. Their RC 142 Honda machines featured a bevel-drive DOHC twin with four valve heads. They may have been down on top speed to their Italian and East German counterparts. The riders lacked experience on the track surface, but both typically were reliable and never gave up. The result was the Team Prize including a sixth place for Japanese rider Naomi Taniguchi. Honda had arrived and the World had to take notice.

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