Honda has announced that the company renewed its commitment to INDYCAR, signing a new multi-year agreement to continue participation as a manufacturer in the Verizon IndyCar Series through 2017, with an option to extend the agreement through the 2020 season.
American Honda and its racing subsidiary, Honda Performance Development, have been a part of open-wheel racing in North America since the founding of HPD in 1993. The company entered Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) competition at the start of the 1994 season.
In nine years of CART competition, Honda scored 65 victories from 164 races, winning four manufacturers’ championships and six consecutive drivers’ titles from 1996-2001.
Honda joined the IndyCar Series at the start of the 2003 season, became single supplier of racing engines to the series from 2006-2011, and welcomed the return of multi-manufacturer competition in 2012. Honda has scored an additional 152 victories in INDYCAR, 54 of those wins in multi-manufacturer competition. In addition, the company has two Manufacturers’ Championships and scored 10 Indianapolis 500 victories from 2004-2015.
“In the 13 years that Honda has been a part of the INDYCAR, we’ve had a great deal of success, both against strong competition from other auto manufacturers and as single engine supplier,” said Art St. Cyr, president of HPD. “Honda is pleased to be part of the IndyCar Series, as it provides a technical challenge for our associates, a showcase for Honda products worldwide and incredible entertainment for racing fans.”
“We’re grateful for Honda’s longstanding partnership with INDYCAR the last 13 years,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Racing is a part of Honda’s DNA and its continued investment in the Verizon IndyCar Series – technically on the competition side, but also through sponsoring of events and additional activation – is instrumental to the success and continued growth of our sport.”
In addition to continuing as a manufacturer in the Verizon IndyCar Series, Honda is title sponsor for three events on the schedule: the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park; the Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course; and the Honda Indy Toronto, sponsored by Honda Canada.
Courtesy Speedville.
