Hikari Okubo


Hikari Okubo is a Japanese motorcycle racer. He currently competes in the Supersport World Championship aboard a Honda CBR600RR.

Career

All Japan Road Race GP125/GP3 Championship

Born in Tokyo, Okubo started in the All Japan Road Race Championship GP125 class in 2008, riding for Endurance Honda, where he finished the season in 20th place overall with a best result of 13th at Tsukuba. For 2009 Okubo remained in the GP125 class but joined the 18 Garage Racing Team once again on a Honda. 2009 saw a significant improvement from 2008, with sixth overall in the championship; his best result in 2009 was sixth position at Okayama. Okubo once again rode with the 18 Garage Racing Team aboard a Honda in 2010, staying in the newly renamed J-GP3 class. Okubo opened the season with his first victory in the Japanese championship at Tsukuba, this was followed by another victory at Motegi, these victories along with two other podiums were enough to secure his first Japanese championship title. Okubo also competed in his first 125cc World Championship event as a wildcard at the Japanese round at Motegi, he qualified in 26th and finished the race just out of the points in 16th position. Deciding to try to defend his title in 2011, Okubo stayed in the J-GP3 class, along with 18 Garage Racing Team for the third consecutive year. Okubo only finished two of the five races, as he could only finish tenth overall. He once again received a wildcard entry to the 125cc World Championship for the Japanese round held at Motegi, he qualified 25th and finished just outside the points again in 17th.

Asia Dream Cup

Deciding not to remain in the Japanese championship in 2012, Okubo joined the one-make Asia Dream Cup aboard a Honda CBR250 for the inaugural season. The Asia Dream Cup, which runs alongside the Asia Road Racing Championship, spanned across six different countries in Asia. Okubo was engaged in an all out battle with fellow Japanese rider Hiroki Ono, which Okubo prevailed in by ten points ahead of Ono.

Return to All Japan Road Race GP3

For 2013, Okubo returned to the Japanese championship to try and recapture the J-GP3 title with the Hot Racing Honda squad, he eventually finished third overall with five third-place finishes his best results. He remained in the J-GP3 class with Hot Racing aboard a Honda NSF250R in 2014, he finished the season in sixth overall, with a second-place finish at Motegi being his best result. He also received a wildcard for the Motegi round of the 2014 Moto3 Grand Prix World Championship, he failed to finish the race after qualifying 26th.

All Japan Road Race ST600 Championship

In 2015 he made a class change as he stepped up to the ST600 series with Kohara Racing riding a stock Honda CBR600RR, he finished the season third overall after two podium finishes in the final rounds of the season at Okayama and Suzuka.

Supersport World Championship

In November 2015, it was announced that Okubo had signed to race for CIA Landlord Insurance Honda in the 2016 Supersport World Championship season, riding a Honda CBR600RR. He finished his rookie season 21st overall, scoring points in six of the twelve races. His best finish result was 10th place at EuroSpeedway Lausitz. He remained in the class for the 2017 season, riding a Honda CBR600RR. He improved his final championship position to 15th overall, highlighted by a 6th place at Buriram International Circuit. In 2018 he switched to the Puccetti Racing squad, riding a Kawasaki ZX-6R. Okubo finished in 13th place in the championship, with 8th place at Circuito San Juan Villicum his best result. Okubo remained with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing in 2019.

Career statistics

Grand Prix motorcycle racing

By season

Races by year

YearClassBike123456789101112131415161718PosPts
2010125ccHondaQATSPAFRAITAGBRNEDCATGERCZEINDRSMARAJPN
16
MALAUSPORVALNC0
2011125ccHondaQATSPAPORFRACATGBRNEDITAGERCZEINDRSMARAJPN
17
AUSMALVALNC0
2014Moto3HondaQATAMEARGSPAFRAITACATNEDGERINDCZEGBRRSMARAJPN
Ret
AUSMALVALNC0

Supersport World Championship

Races by year

YearBike123456789101112PosPts
2016HondaAUS
Ret
THA
20
SPA
16
NED
24
ITA
19
MAL
15
GBR
15
ITA
11
GER
10
FRA
27
SPA
13
QAT
13
21st19
2017HondaAUS
DNS
THA
6
SPA
11
NED
21
ITA
9
GBR
9
ITA
15
GER
23
POR
12
FRA
11
SPA
13
QAT
Ret
15th42
2018KawasakiAUS
14
THA
19
SPA
Ret
NED
Ret
ITA
10
GBR
Ret
CZE
13
ITA
9
POR
10
FRA
9
ARG
8
QAT
Ret
13th39
2019KawasakiAUS
6
THA
6
SPA
8
NED
7
ITA
4
SPA
7
ITA
5
GBR
13
POR
7
FRA
5
ARG
12
QAT
8
5th105