Honda Outlines Impressive Racing Commitments For 2008
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the key features of its 2008 motor sports program including its motor sports strategy, and initiatives to cultivate new talent to claim the podium at world-class racing events and expand the popularity of motor sports, as outlined below.
Honda’s spirit of challenge is rooted in its motor sports activities. By constantly striving to fulfill its own dreams and aspirations through ongoing challenges, Honda aims to share dreams and excitement with its customers.
Outline of Honda Motorsports Activities in 2008
1. Motorsports Strategy
In motorcycle racing, Honda has set its sights on recapturing the three championship titles for rider, manufacture and team in the Road Racing World Championship MotoGP class, the top class of world championship road racing. In addition, Honda is aiming to secure championships in other categories of road racing and in each of the motocross and trial racing series.
In automobile racing, with a new structure for the Honda Racing F1 Team, Honda will continue it’s challenge for the Formula One World Championship.
As for the IRL IndyCar Series, Honda began participating in 2003 and since 2006, the company has been the sole supplier of engines. This year, once again, Honda will provide all IndyCar teams with V8 HI8R engines running on 100% ethanol fuel. And for the second year, Honda will compete in the American Le Mans Series, with a car equipped with the Acura LM V-8 engine.
In the Super GT, with five teams with five cars under the Honda NSX-GT Project, Honda is focused on taking the double titles of individual and team championships for the second year in a row.
2. Cultivating New Talent to Claim the Podium at World-class Racing Events
Honda continues to implement a long-range program to foster talented riders and drivers who will compete for success in world-class racing events.
In motorcycle racing, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Yuki Takahashi and Shuhei Aoyama will compete in world-championship races, having benefited from training at the Suzuka Circuit Racing School or from the Honda Racing Scholarship, granted to foster young Japanese rider talent.
As part of its auto racing activities, Honda will promote organized programs for fostering young talent under the Honda Formula Dream Project. The project is implemented through Suzuka Circuit Racing School (SRS-K, SRS-F), Formula Challenge Japan (FCJ), the All-Japan Formula 3 Championship and Formula Nippon, with the objective of turning out skilled young racers able to compete in racing events worldwide.
This year, Hideki Mutoh, the 2003 Formula Dream champion and 2nd in the 2007 Indy Pro Series, will compete in the IRL IndyCar Series as a member of Andretti Green Racing.
3. Expanding the Popularity of Motorsports
Mobilityland Corporation will continue to host racing events and actively create venues and opportunities for people to watch, participate in and enjoy racing with the aim of contributing to the further growth of motor sports in Japan. At Twin Ring Motegi, the Indy Japan 300 Mile Race will be held on April 17–19 while the FIM Road Racing World Championship Japan Grand Prix will be held on September 26–28. In addition, full-scale renovation work is getting underway on the pits and paddocks at the Suzuka Circuit racing course.
To express appreciation to Honda fans, Enjoy Honda Suzuka will be held this year on May 10–11 at Suzuka Circuit, and Enjoy Honda (Honda Racing Thanks Day) will be held on November 24 at Twin Ring Motegi.
Other events on the calendar this year include the Honda Exciting Cup One-Make Race–Civic Series as well as various participatory events and driving meetings for Honda vehicle owners to be held throughout Japan.
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