Known in America and around the world for its reliable cars and superior build quality, not much light is shed on Honda’s official racing activities. Ever since the companies founding in 1948, Honda has been involved heavily in motorsports from racing bikes to full on Formula 1 cars and just recently, Honda announced there racing plans for 2013 including its motorsports strategy.
In MotoGP, factory backed Honda RepSol team aims to win both constructor and drivers champion with there ace rider Dani Pedrosa backed by 2012 Moto 2 championship winner Marc Marquez. Specifically in Japan, Honda will field riders in there All-Japan Moto cross Championship series. Outside there factory backed series, Honda plans to capture titles in the FIM Superbike world championship series, World Motocross championship series, Trial World Championship series and the Asia Road racing championship series.
As of this writing, Honda already participated in the 2013 Dakar Rally race, fielding 3 teams who all finished the whole 14 stage race finishing 7th, 8th and 40th overall with plans to return for 2014.
For automobile racing, Honda recommitted itself to fielding a team for the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship with there ace drivers Gabrielle Tarquini and Tiago Montero. Hot on the heels of there newly developed HR-412E engine, Honda aims to win the constructors championship for 2013. In Japan’s Super GT Series Honda will continue to pilot there HSV-010 supercar with 5 teams and 5 cars in the GT 500 series and will provide two Honda CR-Z’s raced by two privateer racers in the GTR 300 class. In open wheel racing, Honda will supply a cou[;e of HR12E V8’s in Japan’s Super Formula series as well as providing V6 turbo’s to 7 teams and 11 machines in the American Indy Car championship.There poster boy for Formula racing, Takuma Sato will be racing in his fourth season in Formula 1 with A.J. Foyt.
Finally in the In the LMP1 class of ALMS this year, Honda will supply the ARX-03c chassis V8 engine for Muscle Milk Pickett Racing team. In the LMP1 class of the 24 Heures du Mans (24 Hours of Le Mans), Honda will supply the ARX-03c chassis and the LM-V8 engines to the Strakka Racing and JRM Racing teams. In the LMP2 class, Honda will supply the ARX-03b chassis and the 2.8L HR 28TT V6 twin turbo engine to the Level 5 Motorsports team. Strakka Racing will also compete in the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). In the LMP2 class of the European Le Mans Series, Honda will supply the ARX-03b chassis and the HR 28TT V6 engine to the Northstar Motorsports team.
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