Honda is now in its third season as the sole supplier of engines for the IndyCar series, and it has decided to re-up for another five years. Honda originally jumped into IndyCar from the now-departed Champ Cars in 2003, and at that time, the H was still competing with Toyota and General Motors. The other two manufacturers eventually dropped out, leaving Honda to supply the whole field. Honda's new committment isn't an exclusive deal. The Indy Racing League is holding a roundtable summit in Indianapolis next month to discuss new technical rules for the chassis and engines. Other manufacturers will be welcome to join the series in the future as well, but at least Indy officials know that Honda will be around for a while. IndyCars are currently running 3.5L
[Source: Honda]
Honda Extends Relationship with IndyCar Racing
05/23/2008 - TORRANCE, Calif. -Honda Performance Development (HPD), American Honda's headquarters for professional auto racing operations, has extended its relationship with the Indy Racing League and plans to supply engines to the IndyCar Series for the next five years.
Honda joined the IndyCar Series at the start of the 2003 season, and became single supplier of racing engines to the series in 2006.
"In the six years that Honda has been a part of the Indy Racing League, we've had a great deal of success, both against strong competition from other auto manufacturers and as single engine supplier," said Erik Berkman, president of HPD, located in Santa Clarita, CA. "Honda is pleased to be part of the IndyCar Series, as it provides both a technical challenge for our engineers and a showcase for Honda products worldwide."
Today's announcement that the League will host a manufacturers' roundtable in June to openly discuss future chassis and engine rules was also welcomed by Berkman. "We are delighted by the League's decision to welcome automotive manufacturers to Indianapolis next month. We look forward to the continued growth of IndyCar racing, and potential participation by additional engine manufacturers."
"I am very excited about Honda's decision today as it brings stability and continuity to a very competitive racing package," said Brian Barnhart, President of Competition and Operations for the League. "We're encouraged by Honda's commitment to the IndyCar Series, and their willingness to assist us in growing the series, both on and off the race track."
Honda entered the IndyCar Series in 2003, and scored 28 victories in 49 races (2003-05) against strong competition from opposing manufacturers, including Indy 500 and IndyCar drivers' and manufacturers' championships in 2004 and '05. Overall, including its 65 victories in the CART Champ Car series from 1994-2002, Honda owns 128 race victories in open-wheel competition in the U.S.
During the course of the 17-race 2007 IndyCar Season, 36 drivers, utilizing the Honda Indy V8 (HI7R) racing engine, recorded a total of 166,608 miles with just a single in-race engine failure - a demonstration of outstanding design and build quality rarely seen in a highly stressed racing engine. For the second consecutive season, Honda also powered the entire 33-car starting field at the 2007 Indianapolis 500. And for the second year in a row - and the only two times in '500' history - there was not a single engine-related retirement in the event.
CAR reveals spy shots of McLaren P11 supercar
2010 Chevrolet Camaro priced: LS $22,995, SS $30,995
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
In the Autobog Garage: 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbo
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike @ May 25th 2008 1:54PM
The Indy 500 is about as exciting as watching paint dry, all they air is circle track garbage. I miss Champ Car races like Long Beach...guess I'll stick with F1, at least Monaco was a good watch this morning...
Franz @ May 25th 2008 2:34PM
Yeah I agree. Monaco was brilliant this morning. I've been praying for a wet race to gauge the the performance of the cars and drivers minus tc, and this was as good a track as any. My favorite race so far this season... very eventful.
MachinaDC5 @ May 25th 2008 2:35PM
VTEC just kicked in for five more years, yo!
Ken Niederer @ May 25th 2008 3:32PM
What an absolute SHAME that the only engine currently allowed again at such an American event is a Japanese engine. It should be banned entirely, especially considering that the Japanese continue to deny engines and vehicles from countries other than their own to race in their own racing series.
Sam Abuelsamid @ May 25th 2008 3:34PM
Actually it has nothing to do with only allowing Honda engines. All the other manufacturers (GM, Toyota, Infiniti) who have participated in IRL over the past dozen years have dropped out of their own accord after failing to be competitive. Honda simply developed the best engine and everyone else walked away.
Franz @ May 25th 2008 3:53PM
I agree with Sam. If the domestics wanna have their engines on the grid, then they need to step up and build some. Can't blame Honda for building better engines.
RLQ @ May 25th 2008 5:40PM
textbook ricer.
Ian @ May 25th 2008 6:40PM
What's the prize for noting the tech error?
Indycar Honda engines are 3.5L not 3.0L
MikeW @ May 25th 2008 9:10PM
and 98% ethanol.
motorman @ May 25th 2008 9:38PM
the indy race was interesting before it became a "spec series" with all the cars and engines the same. they need to get back to "stock block" engines like the NASCAR V-8s.
Sam Abuelsamid @ May 25th 2008 9:49PM
Aside from the fact that they refuse to admit it, NASCAR is among the most spec racing series there is.
J.Crew @ May 25th 2008 10:48PM
The race was great regardless of the Honda only engines. Thank god they combined to form one race series again. The added engines will be nice, but after watching the race today I would say it is hardly needed. I love F1, but the Indy 500 was very entertaining. The only thing that killed me was the stupid commercials getting in the way.
Daniel @ May 25th 2008 11:00PM
But the "side-by-side" feature was a nice touch
J.Crew @ May 26th 2008 11:09AM
Very true, as was the full HD and 360 degree views from most of the cars in the field. Every camera was HD for the entire race which added to entire event. I would say this race was a major step in the come back of open wheel racing in North America.
Dave @ May 25th 2008 11:40PM
The "Great American Race" is now Japanese.
Memorial Day 2008. Remember the American soldier.
Matt @ May 26th 2008 5:38AM
THANK YOU HONDA!!!
THANK YOU HONDA!!!
thank you Honda for keeping open wheel racing alive in America. Its not even some pre-conditioned exclusive commitment. Honda is in this... LITERALLY... so American open wheel racing would not die.
though with ignorant idiotic fans like commenter:
"Ken Niederer @ May 25th 2008 3:32PM
What an absolute SHAME that the only engine currently allowed again at such an American event is a Japanese engine. It should be banned entirely, especially considering that the Japanese continue to deny engines and vehicles from countries other than their own to race in their own racing series. "
If that is the level of intelligience of the general IndyCar audience, I wouldn't go out of my way to save the series. No wonder every other major manufacturer pulled out.
so once again, a big THANK YOU HONDA for committing to the series for another five years. Do we deserve it... maybe not.
Thanh T. @ May 26th 2008 8:16AM
Wow, the sole supplier for IndyCar series engines…
It’s a testament to how well crafted Honda engines are. Good research and development. Honda engines are well designed for normally-aspirated and performs extremely well with turbochargers also.
The 3.5 normally-aspirated, ethanol-fueled V8s is a great race engine setup. The individual throttle bodies, camshafts, software management electronics and etc. must be working overtime.
A few years back other manufacturer’s like Ford Cosworth, Mercesdes-Benz, Toyota had good performing engines also.
Perhap’s each manufacturer is working on developing the next cleaner/green generation engines; Honda’s HRK V8, Ford Cosworth’s XD, Mercesdes-Benz’s IC108E, Toyota’s RV8D…
I think the summit in Indianapolis next month to discuss new technical rules for the chassis and engines will be interesting to watch…hmmm, chassis improvements-Reynard, Swift, Penske, Eagle, Lola
Indianapolis 500 has been a long tradition in automotive racing for nearly 100 years…It’s nice to see Indy Carts on the tracks.
Many of us prefer road courses more than oval tracks; I think most racers/fans do also…A road course really shows the full potential of an excellent race car/engine setup.
It will be interesting what the future holds in store for IndyCar…
motorman @ May 26th 2008 10:46AM
for years GM supplied the 4 cam oldsmobile engines to the IRL but when olds went away GM quit suppling the engines. the IRL needs to use american made engines and there are plenty of stock block engines out there. i can remember when wayne horning brought a 302 cu in GMC truck engine with his special made 12 port head to indy. indy was once a place where mechanics could try to build a race car and engine better than the next guy now it is a case of who can spend the most money. i went to indy for practice and qualifying for years with a pit pass so i got to see what went on but once it became a spec engine and chassis i never went back
carlonino @ Jun 13th 2008 12:35AM
So true, with spec race cars there is no manufacture competition, not with chassis or engine. Formula 1 is still the one to watch.
bob d @ May 26th 2008 1:56PM
The Indy 500? Hmmm. I thought it was the Danica 450 that was on. Didn't they rename it?