Will wonders never cease? After years of turning a blind eye to Honda owners who race their cars, Honda Performance Development (HPD), a division of American Honda, says it want to reach out to racers. HPD announced today that it work to improve private owners' access to original equipment and performance parts.
If you race a Honda at the amateur or entry-level pro level, HPD is hoping you'll go its website and sign up for the Honda Racing Line club. Members of the club will apparently get expedited access to parts.
"Thousands of our customers are racing Hondas or Acuras today with a need for regular access to parts," Erik Berkman, president of HPD, said in a press release. "A market has clearly been established for a service like the Honda Racing Line. We are pleased to provide that service, and look forward to expanding the roster of benefits and services available to Honda Racing Line members."
Alongside this news, HPD announced its developing an open-wheel, Formula Ford-class (FF) car that will put the fuel-injected, 1.5-liter inline-4 L15A7 engine from the Honda Fit into an existing FF chassis. Approval by the SCCA is still pending, of course, and Honda will be gauging reaction to the demo car (above) at the 40th FF anniversary celebration this weekend at Road America.
Honda says its FF kit should sell for under $12,000. The package would include a base L15A7 engine, FF race kit (including intake, exhaust, dry sump, restrictor plate and ECU), and a bolt-in chassis kit.
mrbacon says:
10:50 PM, 07/24/09
Neato.
How much does a Formula Ford car cost?
loverunescape says:
01:55 AM, 07/25/09
welcome to www.innicc.com
actualsize says:
09:12 AM, 07/25/09
@mrbacon: Low to mid tens of thousands, plus spares. They're talking "grassroots" as compared to the budget required to support a Dario Franchitti or Danica Patrick.
I'm still wondering how they'll reconcile Formula FORD. Honda Formula Ford seems rather odd as a class designation. Still, it's good to see that the ancient Cortina/Pinto 1,600 cc motor might be on the way out. Carberetors need to die from racing if it wants to be seen as innoative or even relevant. I'm talking to you too, NASCAR.