Honda Performance Development, Inc., the racing arm of American Honda Motor Company, Inc., today announced plans to adopt the new engine formula for the IZOD IndyCar Series, extending participation beyond expiration of its current supply agreement at the conclusion of the 2011 season.
HPD has provided engines to the Series since 2003, and has served as the single engine supplier to America's premier open-wheel racing formula since 2006. HPD will continue to provide the current Honda Indy V-8 engine to all IndyCar competitors during the 2011 season, after which a new 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 power plant, designed by HPD, will debut when new engine specifications take effect in the series in 2012.
The cost of a season-long lease for the 2012 Honda IndyCar engine will be reduced by up to 40 percent from current pricing. This follows a number of other significant cost reductions which Honda has implemented since taking on the challenge of supplying the entire field of IndyCar entrants in 2006.
"Through both robust and trying times, our commitment to open-wheel racing in America has never wavered," said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development. "With today's announcement, we are pleased to reaffirm that commitment, and extend it deep into the current decade.
"With a passionate and energetic new title sponsor in IZOD, dynamic new management at its helm, and plans to significantly reshape its on-track product in the near future, the IndyCar Series is poised for significant growth," Berkman continued. "We are delighted to take a role in that promising future."
In 2010, HPD and technical partner Ilmor Engineering continue to prepare and maintain the engines used by all teams during competition in the season-long IndyCar Series, which includes the Indianapolis 500.
In an open-wheel racing history that dates to 1994 - beginning with nine seasons (1994-2002) in the former CART/Champ Car Series - Honda has recorded 170 race victories, 12 drivers' championships, 10 Manufacturers' Championships and seven Indianapolis 500 victories.
From April, 2007 through August, 2009, more than 40 drivers and teams completed 44 consecutive IndyCar Series races without the loss of a single Honda Indy V-8 engine. This total of 244,880 racing miles with 100 percent reliability exceeds the average
distance from the earth to the moon.
For the fifth consecutive year, Honda powered the entire 33-car starting field in May's Indianapolis 500, and for a record-extending fifth consecutive time - the only five times in Indy 500 history - there was not a single engine failure.
The 2010 Indianapolis 500 also marked the 100th Honda victory in IndyCar Series competition. The company recorded its 105th win on July 25, in the most recent IndyCar event at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Honda Performance Development (HPD) is the Honda racing company within North America. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for American Honda high-performance racing cars and engines. In addition to its role as single engine supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series, HPD is active in a variety of motorsports activities from pinnacle through grassroots, including this year's class win in its inaugural attempt at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
For more information, explore the HPD website, at http://hondaracing.com/hpd .