Jo Shimoda | AMA Supercross/Motocross

Shimoda is the first Japanese rider to sign a factory contract with American Honda, although Honda has fielded top Japanese racers in MotoGP, World Trials and even Formula 1.

Born and raised in Suzuka, Japan, Shimoda began riding dirt bikes when he was 4 years old. After earning early success as an amateur racer in his home country, he sought out stiffer competition internationally. He competed in Europe (even racing against Jett Lawrence on occasion) and in the U.S., earning the 2016 Supermini 2 AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch, at age 14. He signed with the Honda-supported Factory Connection team’s amateur program in 2017, then turned pro near the end of the 2019 season. In 2020 (Shimoda’s first full year as a professional), he finished third in the AMA 250SX East Region final standings, earning the AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year Award. With the Factory Connection team closing before the following season, Shimoda signed with Pro Circuit Kawasaki. In 2021 he became the first Japanese rider to win an AMA 250SX main event, finishing second in the East Region final standings. Last year saw him become the first Japanese rider to score an AMA Pro Motocross overall win, earning second in the 250 final standings. He was third in the same series earlier this year, also taking second in the inaugural SuperMotocross 250 class. So far in his career, Shimoda has collected three 250 overall wins in AMA Pro Motocross, one 250 Regional win in AMA Supercross and one 250 win in SuperMotocross.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS*

1 career AMA Supercross 250SX win

5 career AMA Supercross 250SX podiums

3 career AMA Pro Motocross 250 overall wins

16 career AMA Pro Motocross 250 moto podiums

1 career SuperMotocross 250 overall win

 Birth Date: May 16, 2002

 2016: Supermini 2 Champion at Loretta Lynn AMA Amateur National

 2017: Signs with Factory Connection’s amateur program

 2018: Monster Energy Cup All-Stars winner

 2019: Professional debut (races final three AMA Pro Motocross 250 rounds)

 2020: AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year; 3 rd in AMA Supercross 250 East final standings; 11 th in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings

 2021: 2 nd in AMA Supercross 250 East final standings (1 win); 5 th in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings

 2022: 4 th in AMA Supercross 250 West final standings; 2 nd in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings (5 moto wins)

 2023: 13 th in AMA Supercross 250 East final standings; 3 rd in AMA Pro Motocross 250 final standings (3 moto wins); 2 nd in SuperMotocross 250 final standings (1 overall win)