- Honda Performance Development becomes Honda Racing Corporation USA
- HRC US to play integral role in Honda’s global motorsports programs
- HRC Japan & US will collaborate to strengthen Honda’s global motorsports competitiveness
- Changeover finalized in advance of 2024 racing season
Honda Racing Corporation USA became official today, as the HRC US title replaces Honda Performance Development to reflect the new role of the company in Honda’s global racing efforts.
With this change, HRC US will take on an increased role in Honda’s global motorsports activities, including the company’s Formula One power unit development program.
Collaborating as one global entity, these two independent racing arms of Honda – HRC Japan and HRC US – will combine their unique expertise and resources to strengthen Honda’s overall motorsports capabilities.
HRC was established in Japan in 1982 as Honda’s motorcycle racing arm, and has amassed more than 40 years of championship racing success in pinnacle global racing categories such as WGP/MotoGP, Superbike, Motocross, World Trial and the Paris Dakar rally. In 2022, HRC added auto racing including Honda’s F1 program to its responsibilities, with the Sakura Center dedicated for auto racing and Asaka Center focused on motorcycle racing.
HPD was established by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in 1993, as a separate racing arm to compete in the IndyCar series. For 30 years, HPD has participated in various racing series including IndyCar, IMSA, Baja Off-Road, Touring Cars, and Formula Regional America.
Through HPD, Honda has 280 wins from 510 races in IndyCar competition, including 180 wins from 410 events with multi-manufacturer competition. At the Indianapolis 500, Honda has won 15 times, nine with multi-manufacturer competition. Honda has won 13 Drivers’ Championships and 10 Manufacturers’ Championships in years with multi-manufacturer competition. HPD also has led the Acura brand to three consecutive wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and three IMSA Manufacturers’, Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships since 2018.
HRC’s auto racing development center in Japan currently supports Red Bull Powertrains, and is a vital part of the team’s F1 World Championship victories. Starting in 2026, HRC will partner with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 team as the team’s official engine supplier. With three F1 races now in the U.S., the new HRC US will be involved in Formula One power unit development and race support starting in 2026.
“The team and I here at HRC US are excited and humbled to embark on this next racing adventure, said David Salters, president of HRC US. “Honda’s racing heritage is exceptional. I have just come back from Honda’s annual ‘Thanks Day’ activity at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit: Moto GP, Formula 1, Indycar, Motocross, Dakar endurance, Trials, Touring Car, Super GT all being demonstrated at the highest level by a paddock full of world champions.
“Only Honda does this. We challenge ourselves and entertain our amazing Honda Racing fans across all pinnacle racing, two and four wheels. Add Honda’s cool car and bike culture, cutting edge technology and superb vehicles to this and you can only feel immensely proud to be joining our companies and amazing people together to make one global racing organization, HRC Honda Racing. This really is the power of dreams, moreover we get to race our dreams.”
The January 25-28 IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona will mark the inaugural race for the new HRC US, with the defending race-winning Acura ARX-06 prototypes now sporting HRC logos in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with the changeover taking place in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and other racing series as each gets underway in 2024.
# # #
