All this had come about as a result of a visit to the island in 1954 by Soichiro Honda himself, who had earlier in the year announced his intention to one day field a team on his own products in the world’s most famous and important motorcycle event. It took five years for that notion to become a reality, but in January 1959 Honda sent a delegation to UK for meetings with the TT promoters, the Auto Cycle Union of Great Britain, and to visit the island to inspect the TT course. This delegation consisted of Honda engineer Ichiro Niitsuma, and American William J. ‘Bill” Hunt, who was officially described as a Honda Staff Adviser. Later in 1959, Honda took the bold step of opening its own sales/administration office on West Pico Boulevarde, Los Angeles as it took aim at the US market. As well as racing in USA, Hunt had spent some time in Japan, and in 1958 won the Japanese National Championship at the Mount Asama course on a 650cc Triumph.
The pair told the ACU that the intention was to enter three DOHC Honda twins in the 125cc TT, plus a stock SOHC Honda Super Sport model for Hunt. Niitsuma told ACU officials that the race bikes developed 18.5 bhp at 13,500 rpm and weighed approximately 90kg. In the Isle of Man, the Honda pair met with former World Champion Geoff Duke, who took them for a tour of the ‘Mountain’ circuit. Hunt made arrangements for the team to stay at the Nursery Hotel
