Tamiya 14113 1/12 RC166 GP Racer Motorcycle Model Kit

From 1964 to 1965, Honda hit a slump, missing out on the series championship for two consecutive years. In 1966, Honda set out to win the overall championship in all five classes—and achieved its goal. The 6-cylinder RC166 competing in the 250cc class became the center of attention. Mike Hailwood rode the machine to 8 consecutive wins from the season opener (Spanish Grand Prix) to Round 8 (Finnish Grand Prix). Starting from Round 10 (Isle of Man TT), Honda fielded the powerful RC166, a high-revving 4-stroke racer built to counter the 2-stroke wave.

The RC166 delivered over 60 hp at 18,000 rpm and 2.36 kg·m of torque at 17,000 rpm. Building on the previous season’s refined machine, Honda also chose Mike Hailwood—the 1961 Isle of Man TT winner, who had given Honda its first TT victory—to compete. He won all 10 races he entered, securing both the riders’ championship and the manufacturers’ championship for Honda.