Honda

[jhansen]

I was reading an article this morning about Honda purchasing a stake in the BAR Formula 1 racing team. David Richards and Prodrive have played a significant role in the restructuring of the team in the last few years. One line in particular caught my attention:

"Honda and Prodrive are also exploring opportunities for working together in the future."

Now this is a rather large stretch, but could this have future implications for the world of sportscar racing? I know little of Honda's history in sportscars. Perhaps someone can share. I assume they are currently running in the JGTC series. But if you wanted to enter Le Mans with a GT type car, Prodrive would be a good partner don't you think? The other possibility of course is the WRC.


Full article here:

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=1&nid=102918

[tblincoe]

Honda currently runs the NSX in the JGTC... I would definitely like to see a prodrive-built NSX going down the Mulsanne. will it ever happen? most likely no, Honda has never really shown much support in terms of ACO racing.

[simon c]

Had a go in 94 with NSXs - normally aspirated and turbocharged. Weren't very good, but I remember Bouchot was one of the drivers. What a difference a year made...

[simon c]

Sorry - had a turbocharged one in 95. 94 was all atmo.

[billnchristy]

Ive got a video with the turbo NSX in it...pretty impressive car (by itself).

HART (honda of america racing team) campaigns an NSX in Grand Ams GT class...it hasnt shown really well, but was an 05 spec car in 04...maybe it will do better this year...

[Adam43]

I would have thought a touring car project would be more likely (although still a guess). The ETCC is really taking off (sorry WTCC) and Honda may want some of that. They could do another sportscar project, but they are already doing quite a bit.

[nsxr]

honda could use some help in the jgtc. there getting beat every weekend. with the help that series organisers gave them. they've only won once at motegi. a honda owned track which saved face for them. Sadly dome just isnt getting it done for them. they once dominated the series now they cant get the nsx right at all.

[Foster]

I would think that if Honda was to have a go at WTCC they would go with JAS.

I can just imagine a Honda F1 type engine, or a new turbo engine in some Prodrive built car. That would be interesting.

[mikmx]

I Heard that Honda kicked Richards out because they our now biggest share holder in BAR. There's probably more about that in the f1 forum but I don't wanna go there, afraid to fall a sleep..

[Mike_Wooshy]

Originally posted by nsxr
honda could use some help in the jgtc. there getting beat every weekend. with the help that series organisers gave them. they've only won once at motegi. a honda owned track which saved face for them. Sadly dome just isnt getting it done for them. they once dominated the series now they cant get the nsx right at all.

no they arent getting beat every weekend they won at motegi this year and have given Nissan And Toyota a run for there money, i watched every round this year and each round all the teams do a great job, it usually falls down to weather or stratagey, but you cant say honda gets beat every weekend. Also a few years ago honda lost some of there best drivers and havent been able to get anyh drivers, And the fact the JGTC is now pretty much prototype, the NSX bairs no resemblence to the road going versions apart from body shell IRIC.

[RacingManiac]

And the fact that no NSX in production is turbo changed with their engine sitting logitudinally....or the fact that Toyota doesn't make Supra(and ones with V8) any more....

All in all though, JGTC does a good job leveling playing field to make an entertaining series while keeping the technical side interesting....Nissan have won the Championship again this year and for the first time with the "Z"....

Now that Richard is out of BAR though, I kinda doubt that Prodrive will sustain an relation with Honda....since Richard still owns prodrive....