Mr. Michio Arai was awarded the Nicolas Rodil del Valle Gold Medal and praised for meritorious service by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) as president and representative of Arai Helmet, Ltd. a manufacturer of rider helmets based in Omiya City, in the Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
The FIM is an organisation of international standing as the head of supervising motorcycle sports in no fewer than 80 countries around the world. They are based in Switzerland and the FIM is also recognised by the International Olympic Committee. This special gold medal, which was first presented in 1983, is only ever awarded to persons who have made significant contributions to two-wheel racing activities.
The FIM awarded Mr. Arai this medal for what they describe as “achievement in contributions to the safety of many riders and numerous advancements to motorcycle sports over many years”. Furthermore, while Mr. Arai may well be the 23rd person to be awarded a gold medal. He is still the first ever awarded as a maker of rider safety equipment.
The team who design and manufacture these helmets understand the reason for this award, Arai Helmet continues to make helmets without compromise for the sake of rider protection. They have done this since the company’s foundation as the first motorcycle helmet manufacturer in Japan. It’s no exaggeration to say that these contributions are recognised around the world by the granting of this award. Mr. Arai received the award from the FIM at the end of November in Monte Carlo, Monaco at the 2019 FIM Awards Ceremony General Meeting.
Arai were founded as a helmet maker all the way back in 1950. The company, Arai Helmet, was the very first manufacturer motorcycle helmets in Japan. As for the high level of protection for motorcycles, touring riders of course needed it. And Arai Helmet also received overwhelming endorsement from racers using the helmet in what they wonderfully refer to as ‘severe conditions’. These days it’s still very much a family affair with Mr. Michio Arai having taken over the Arai family business in 1986 from his father, Mr. Hirotake Arai. You’ve only got one head, wear an Arai!