This Monstrous, 850-HP Acura NSX Is Heading To Pikes Peak

Once upon a time, the behemoth you see here was a stock Acura NSX. Now, it’s a wild 850-hp winged monstrosity that will tackle the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in early August.

Cody Loveland’s Michigan-based firm, Lovefab, specializes in turbo kits for the original NSX, so it’s not that surprising to see his first venture into Pikes Peak’s unlimited class is based upon the Honda supercar.  There’s little resemblance to the original product, and it’s understandable once you look at build photos of the car: virtually everything apart from the passenger tub and engine compartment has been chopped from the stock NSX structure, allowing room for new suspension, custom carbon fiber bodywork, and an insane engine package.

That engine is a heavily-modified 3.0 liter V-6 bolted to a pair of Garrett turbochargers. According to Lovefab’s website, the project’s originally aimed at a 1000-hp metric, but new press releases from sponsor HRE Wheels mention the car cranks out “only” 850 hp. The entire package still allegedly manages to put down 600 hp at the wheels when dyno-tested.

So, when will we see this beast in action? If you managed to show up to the West Michigan Honda Meet this past weekend, you already did. Automobile Magazine’s road test editor managed to snap photos as the LoveFab racer wowed crowds and made plenty of noise as it lapped Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan. Still, if all things go according to plan, plan on seeing this car compete in Colorado on August 12. Until then, enjoy the videos below for a taste of this mad machine in action.

Source (via Lovefab);
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/feature-flick-this-monstrous-850-hp-acura-nsx-is-heading-to-pikes-peak-158523.html

Honda and Mugen develop widebody twin-turbo V6 CR-Z... for racing [w/video]

by Jonathan Ramsey at www.autoblog.com
Honda has announced that it's working with M-TEC and Team Mugen on a CR-Z GT that will campaign in the GT300 category of Japan's Super GT championship. The racing hybrid uses a 2.8-liter, twin turbo V6 paired with a specially developed hybrid system, and it will enter its first race at this month's SUGO GT round on July 28-29.

The CR-Z GT will race in the same class as the Subaru BRZ GT300 and Toyota Prius GT300. That latter car also uses a specially designed hybrid system with a larger battery from the Prius Alpha and a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6.

The Honda CR-Z GT was recenly tested at Twin Ring Motegi, scroll down to watch the video and check out the official press release.
Honda Announces Support to the Racing Activities of Team Mugen in the GT300 Class of SUPER GT Series Start of test runs for the MUGEN CR-Z GT equipped with Honda racing hybrid system

TOKYO, Japan, July 4, 2012 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced its intent to provide technical support to Team Mugen, operated by M-TEC Co., Ltd., for its competition with the MUGEN CR-Z GT in the GT300 class of SUPER GT Series. Honda will supply a 2.8-liter V6 twin-turbo engine and the racing hybrid system developed exclusively for this Team Mugen racing machine and will start actual test runs.

Team Mugen's first race with the MUGEN CR-Z GT featuring the Honda racing hybrid system will be the 2012 SUPER GT Series Round 4 SUGO GT 300km Race held on July 28-29, 2012.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/05/honda-and-mugen-develop-widebody-twin-turbo-v6-cr-z-for-racin/#continued

Honda goes 1-2-3 in Detroit's Chevy-sponsored race

Dario Franchitti (left), of Scotland, Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, and Simon Pagenaud, of France, stand on the podium after IndyCar's Detroit Grand Prix auto race on Belle Isle in Detroit, Sunday, June 3, 2012. Dixon won the race, while Franchitti came in second and Pagenaud finished third.

Photograph by: Carlos Osorio , AP

By LARRY LAGE, Associated Press
DETROIT - Honda went 1-2-3 in the Chevrolet-sponsored Detroit Grand Prix in the shadow of General Motors world headquarters.
Scott Dixon won Sunday's race that was shortened because poor track conditions stopped the races for 2 hours and was followed by Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dario Franchitti and rookie Simon Pagenaud.
IndyCar points leader Will Power finished fourth, the best finish by a Chevy-powered car.
"It's a testament to everybody that works at Honda on the racing," Pagenaud said. "The first (four) races were all Chevy wins. Honda stayed in the game.
"They found what we needed and I think we can attest here that we really enjoy driving the engine. The engine is behaving really nicely, and it's performing really well."
Penske Racing started the season with a four-race winning streak with Helio Castroneves earning the first and Power getting the next three victories.
Teams with Honda engines have had improved performance after IndyCar allowed them to make turbocharger changes, much to Roger Penske's dismay, to catch up to Chevy's power.
Dixon's first victory of the year followed Franchitti winning the Indianapolis 500 the previous week.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: The Detroit Grand Prix was back in the Motor City for the first time since 2008 and it has two more years left on a contract with Chevrolet to sponsor the race and IndyCar to keep the event on its schedule.
Roger Penske's Michigan-based company invested a lot of money into sprucing up Belle Isle after four years of neglect tarnished the gem, but patching up the road course didn't go very well. There were numerous holes in the asphalt and concrete. Pot holes and grooves that were recently filled with synthetic rubber became exposed. Crews filled the gaps with epoxy that settled enough for the race to resume after a 2-hour delay.
Detroit Grand Prix event chairman Bud Denker vowed that track conditions wouldn't be a problem again next year.
"We have more paving than patching to do that's for sure," Denker said.
DEFENDING DUD: Justin Wilson was fired up to be back on Belle Isle after winning the 2008 Detroit Grand Prix, the last time auto racing was in the Motor City.
His excitement didn't last long.
Wilson didn't complete a lap before he was knocked out of the race because of a suspension failure. The Dale Coyne Racing team fixed the problem well enough to get Wilson back on the track later in the race, but he completed just 28 of the 60 laps.
"Not a great day," he said. "We brushed the wall, bent the wishbone and I'm really disappointed with that. That ended our day pretty much. The guys worked hard trying to give us a good car and we got caught up."
SUH SPEED: Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was the grand marshal of the Detroit Grand Prix after serving in the same role at the Phoenix 500 NASCAR race earlier this year.
"It's definitely a blast for me to be here," Suh said. "I've love racing ever since I had an opportunity to get into it. My first race out here would have been at MIS (Michigan International Speedway) with NASCAR. And then I've gone across the world and ventured off, and been to Formula One and obviously the Indianapolis 500."
"You get to hear those engines roar, and you get that thrill. It's like getting ready to start the beginning of a football game or being lucky enough to introduce Kid Rock at one of his concerts."
Suh was among the celebrities in last year's Gumball 3000 Rally, a seven-day car race stretching across 10 European countries.
SPARK PLUGS: IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard confirmed before Sunday's race that an August event scheduled in China may not happen. "We have a backup plan," he said, declining to provide details. ... Graham Rahal and Simona de Silvestro were pushed back 10 spots on the grid at the start of the race, getting penalized by IndyCar for unapproved engine changes at Indianapolis 500. Rahal started 17th and finished 19th while de Silvestro went from 25 to 13.

Source:

http://www.vancouversun.com/cars/Honda+goes+Detroit+Chevy+sponsored+race/6725913/story.html#ixzz1wpryZ8Dr

INDYCAR: Franchitti claims third 500 win in Honda 1-2 finish

Dario Franchitti came from the rear of the field to win a dramatic Indianapolis 500 Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon to the checkered flag in a 1-2 finish for Honda in near-record heat and humidity. It is the third Indianapolis 500 victory for Franchitti, and the third for Honda with engine manufacturer competition.

After starting 16th, Franchitti was hit during his first pit stop by the car of E.J. Viso, spinning Franchitti around and dropping him to the rear of the field. But he fought back to the front, reaching the lead for the first time on Lap 151 and then entering into a multi-car battle for the victory over the final laps.

Once at the front of the field, Franchitti spent the late laps trading the lead with Dixon, part of a record 34 lead changes during the race; while the Honda Dallaras of Takuma Sato and Justin Wilson; as well as the cars of Tony Kanaan and Ed Carpenter all looked like potential race winners.

Carpenter was the first to fall by the wayside, spinning without contact on Lap 180. On the Lap 184 restart, Kanaan jumped from fourth to the front on the run to Turn One, but the yellow came out again just three laps later as Marco Andretti spun and crashed without injury.

On Lap 194, the green flag waved for the final time and both Franchitti and Dixon passed Kanaan. Sato also was quickly past Kanaan and then Dixon. On Lap 199, Sato moved alongside Franchitti and attempted a last-lap pass for the lead as they entered Turn One. But Sato lost control mid-corner, made contact with Franchitti and then spun hard into the wall, crashing without injury.

Franchitti was momentarily sideways, but corrected for the slide and claimed his third Indianapolis 500 victory, and the 96th IndyCar win for Target Chip Ganassi Racing at the 96th running of the Memorial Day weekend classic. Dixon finished second, with Honda drivers Justin Wilson seventh, Charlie Kimball in eighth and Townsend Bell, ninth.
The IZOD IndyCar Series now enters June with a run of four consecutive race weekends, starting with the June 3 Belle Isle Grand Prix temporary street circuit race in Detroit, Michigan, followed by oval races at Texas Motor Speedway, The Milwaukee Mile and Iowa Speedway.

Dario Franchitti (#50 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) started 16th, finished 1st, his third Indianapolis 500 victory, 31st IndyCar victory (all with Honda power) and first win of 2012: “I moved over for Takuma [Sato]. I knew he was coming and I moved up the track. I felt it was a good move, but he got loose underneath me. It was the last lap of the Indianapolis 500 and I didn’t expect him to lift. I think he did everything right up until the point he lost the rear of the car. It kind of reminded me of Emerson [Fittipaldi] and Little Al [Unser, at the 1994 Indianapolis 500] at the end there. This means the world. This is Indianapolis.

I also have to say ‘thank you’ to Honda. I have all of my [IndyCar] wins with them and today showed us all exactly why. They worked incredibly hard throughout the event, and never more so than in the week after qualifying. Honda showed us all today what they can accomplish.”

Scott Dixon (#9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) qualified 15th, finished 2nd, led 53 laps: “We had the car to win today. Between the efforts of the team and Honda we had the power, reliability and mileage we needed, but at the end it was Dario’s race. He did a hell of a job today, so I’m super happy for him, but super gutted for myself. Still, it couldn’t be a better day, a 1-2 finish for the Target Chip Ganassi team at the Indianapolis 500.”

Art St. Cyr (President, Honda Performance Development) on today’s Honda victory in the Indianapolis 500: “This is why we go racing. To be able to participate in such a competitive race is one of the most amazing things in my career with Honda. It was an exciting day, and a great race for the fans – but pretty stressful for the participants! Any of several Honda drivers would have been a deserving winner today, but somehow it seemed destined that this was Dario’s day. He drove a fantastic race, never giving up after getting hit during his first pit stop. It was an inspiring drive, and an incredible race, that had all of us riveted throughout. My congratulations to all our associates at Honda Performance Development, who worked so hard to make this victory a reality. What a great day.”

Source;
http://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/franchitti-claims-third-500-win-in-honda-1-2-finish/

Carroll Shelby, father of Cobra sports car, dies at 89

By Deepa Seetharaman
DETROIT (Reuters) - Carroll Shelby, designer of the Shelby Cobra and other sports cars that placed him in the pantheon of auto industry legends, has died at age 89, his company said on Friday. He died on Thursday at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, according to the company, Carroll Shelby Licensing. The firm did not disclose the cause of death. A post on his Facebook page last month revealed he had been hospitalized for pneumonia.

Shelby was one of the few prominent designers to work with all three major American car companies, starting with Ford Motor Co in the 1960s. His last collaboration with Ford was on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500. 'My name is Carroll Shelby and performance is my business,' he said in an early Cobra commercial. Shelby was born in Leesburg, Texas, in 1923. He started racing cars in the 1950s, and in 1959 he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a marathon race held in France. But he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition that forced him to quit racing. In 1960 he drove one race with nitroglycerin pills under his tongue. He complained that he would have won if not for the pills. Shelby had a heart transplant in 1990 and a kidney transplant in 1996.

In 1962 Shelby test-drove the AC 260 roadster, the car made with a Ford engine that would become the Shelby Cobra. His company built the first Cobras in Venice, California. Two years later, Ford asked Shelby to develop a high-performance Mustang. 'Whether helping Ford dominate the 1960s racing scene or building some of the most famous Mustangs, his enthusiasm and passion for great automobiles over six decades has truly inspired everyone who worked with him,' said Edsel Ford II, grandson of the No. 2 U.S. automakers founder Henry Ford. His contract with Ford ended in 1970, and he then worked with Chrysler and General Motors Co. In 2001 Shelby was working with Ford again.

Shelby is survived by three children and his wife, Cleo.

(Reporting By Deepa Seetharaman; Editing by Xavier Briand)

Source;
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/carroll-shelby-father-of-cobra-sports-car-dies-at-89/997719.html

New Honda Civic Touring Car Wins Brands Hatch

Touring car racing is the mainstay for the Honda Civic, as the hatchback gets its image there. With the arrival of the 2012 Civic, a new touring car has also been developed, and it looks like it’s going to be a top contender this year.

The Honda Yuasa Racing Team kicked off its 2012 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship challenge with victory for its new Civic at the Brands Hatch season opener.

Race one was lost, as a BMW won due to a clash that delayed the Civic. But in race two, reigning champion driver Matt Neal manages to fight off rival Jason Plato.

Race three only saw a seventh place finish for the Civic, but Neal is still second overall now.

“When he hit me the second time I smiled – in a good way!” said Neal. “He was quicker than me at that stage. Once ahead he braked a little early at Druids and I gave him a nudge. Then, at Clearways where he had been strong all day, he ran wide and left the door open.”

“The car is good,” he said. “Honda had a one-two in race two [with Andrew Jordan’s Pirtek Civic following Neal home], which is great, but it’s personally frustrating. I don’t think it’s anything the team is doing or I am doing. Everything electrical was changed and we still had the problem.

When I’ve been running I’ve been fine. To start from the back and finish fourth isn’t a bad effort. The tyres last well and we had a good balance when the car was running well.”

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/new-honda-civic-touring-car-wins-brands-hatch-43831.html

Mugen VS Mugen

We drive tuned versions of Honda CR-Z and the Ariel Atom back to back in this exclusive videoBy Jack Rix June 2011

Mugen is a company that doesn’t do things by half – and lately Honda’s tuning arm has been extremely busy.

The world’s most skeletal car, the Ariel Atom has been given a power boost without the need for a supercharger. The result is a 270bhp output from its 2.0-litre Honda-sourced engine that makes it just about the fastest thing on four wheels.

Other tweaks to the £50,000 road-legal track car include firmer suspension taken from the Atom V8 and a unique colour scheme for the chassis.

Alongside the Atom Mugen we drove the CR-Z Mugen – currently a one-off tuned version of the hybrid coupe. Now kicking out 200bhp it promises Civic Type R-beating pace with excellent Fuel Economy – and as we discovered its exhaust and styling aren’t for the faint-hearted.

Watch as we take both cars outside their comfort zones – testing the CR-Z on track and unleashing the Atom on public roads.

Source: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/videos/videoreviews/269185/mugen_vs_mugen_review.html#ixzz1S0GVAUF3

Powered-up Honda CR-Z races into Le Mans ahead of 24-hour contest

The Honda CR-Z will join the Nissan Leaf and a few other alternative-powered cars in the Le Mans Vers Le Futur demonstration preceding Saturday's start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. The demonstration features the potential future of Le Mans, with less noise, less pollution and less cash spent.

The upgraded CR-Z gets a 200-hp version of the 1.5-liter engine, producing 175 lb-ft of torque. It keeps the six-speed manual transmission and the seven-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery of the stock car.

Honda unveiled the competition version of the CR-Z last year at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Later, it was entered into the 25 Hours of Thunderhill race in San Francisco. The compact CR-Z finished second in its class.

In Europe, the car is used as a pace car for the Speed EuroSeries.

Honda says it developed the car to be tested in race conditions, in part to help solve problems that arise when running a hybrid race car. The CR-Z isn't certified by the FIA, so it will only appear in the prerace festivities.

Source;
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article#ixzz1OmlLtEp1

Toyota confirms FT-86 details

Japanese automaker confirms a 2.0 liter Boxer engine from Subaru will power the FT-86

According to our colleagues over at Motorward.com, Toyota has confirmed certain details on the upcoming FT-86.

The report states that the FT-86 production version will feature a 2.0 liter Boxer engine from Subaru and a D-4S injection system from Toyota.

Transmission options will be a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

The car will be a rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential.

The FT-86 has been a long time in development and we expect more details soon as the model is gearing up for its official introduction.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111050233033/toyota-confirms-ft-86-details---report#ixzz1LIe1jCyQ

Inside Line: 2011 Dodge Charger vs. The General Lee Track Video

Shear awesomeness....

Honda to Debut CR-Z TS-1X Concept at this week's Tokyo Auto Salon

Could this be the model that Honda has been talking about making a non-hybrid, with a more powerful 1.6L engine?
With the conclusion of the press days of the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, the automotive world is now shifting its focus on the Tokyo Auto Salon 2011, which will be held from Friday, January 14, to Sunday, January 16, at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

At this year's event, Honda will be presenting several vehicles including the TS-1X concept study based on the CR-Z hybrid. The prototype model is the work of Honda Access Corporation, the Japanese carmaker's in-house aftermarket division.

Honda has not revealed any information on the concept model, but from the single photo it did release, we can see that the TS-1X is finished in a matt black paintjob and is fitted with a full body kit comprising of front and rear bumpers, beefy side skirts and a large rear wing that appears to extend on the CR-Z's sides.

Other Honda products to be displayed at Honda's stand include a variety of customized vehicles such as the Sports Modulo NSX, Freed Spike caravan car, the Acty Truck and the Enepo generator special coloring editions, plus several racing models like the HSV-010 GT, which won both the driver and team titles for the Super GT Series GT500-class races.

Our man Phil has already landed in Japan and will be covering the show live so stay tuned on Carscoop for more news on the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/01/honda-to-debut-cr-z-ts-1x-concept-to.html

SEMA 2010: Honda HPD CR-Z Racer Gets a Turbo and Push-to-Pass Hybrid Boost

Technically the SEMA Show doesn’t start until tomorrow but thanks to our spies inside we have these snap shots of just what potential Honda's new CR-Z has. The Honda Performance Development CR-Z Racer looks like a true racing machine and likely is with a fully stripped-down body, a lowered suspension, functional aero and some big 17-inch wheels with meaty racing slicks.

But the truly exciting mods are found under the hood, where Honda strapped a Borg Warner turbo to the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder to pump out 175-hp and 155 ft-lbs of torque. But that’s not all, Honda also rejigged the Integrated Motor Assist hybrid setup to produce added power that’s available with a Indy Car styled push-to-pass button. When pressed, the CR-Z makes a total of 200-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque.

Other mods include an LSD and some big brake upgrades.

Hopefully Honda is serious about taking this car racing and we’ll be at the press conference tomorrow to find out.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/11/sema-2010-honda-hpd-cr-z-racer-gets-a-turbo-and-push-to-pass-hybrid-boost.html

No More Secrets: Ben Collins is The Stig

Professional race car driver Ben Collins has been identified through the High Court of London as The Stig after BBC looses court case. BBC’s Top Gear show is undoubtedly one of the most popular automotive shows among car enthusiasts and we have always wondered who the face was underneath the white helmet and race gear. Now we know who he is!

If you remember, Perry McCarthy was the previous Stig as it was revealed in his autobiography ‘Flat Out, Flat Broke’. Since 2003 the mystery of who flogged the crap out of cars around the Top Gear test track faded into a trivial guessing game.

Top Gear over the years thrived on the marketing success of keeping the identity of the Stig a secret. Yesterday during the BBC’s court case the lawyers said the BBC had been refused an injunction blocking publication of a book that revealed the identity of the Stig. Right after, publishers HarperCollins said in a statement that a 33-year-old racing driver named Ben Collins “has a great story to tell about his seven years as The Stig, which will appeal to a wide audience beyond just motoring enthusiasts.” HarperCollins said the book will be published in Britain on September 16th and called the situation a “victory for freedom of speech”. Now after every victory lap the Stig does from hear-on-out we will all know who is really behind the wheel.

Source;
http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/14080/no-more-secrets-ben-collins-is-the-stig

Honda Civic Si Takes 1st Place At SCCA RallyCross Championships

When someone says, “rally car” you probably immediately think of a Subaru WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Perhaps with the PR around the new 2011 Ford Fiesta, you think of Kent Block’s tricked out WRC Fiesta rally car. One thing is for sure, you probably don’t have your eyes set on something like a Honda Civic Si. However, much to the surprise of a lot of people, one particular stock Honda Civic Si took not only 1st place, but 2nd place in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) RallyCross® Modified two-wheel drive championships. It just goes to show that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

For the second consecutive year the SCCA National RallyCross Championships have been held in Fountain, Colo. at the U.S Truck Driving School. Last year’s event was so successful that the SCCA home office in Topeka though it would be a good idea to come back to the Rockies and run another championship event. Quite an event it was too, with almost 80 cars, some of which traveled from all over the contiguous 48 states. The real surprise though was the type of cars that come out to race at these events.

The SCCA National RallyCross Championships saw cars from the expected Subaru WRX to VW Golfs to the more unusual Chevrolet Berretta. To some degree, Rally racing isn’t so much about the type of car, as it is about the driver. Ken Cashion, operational steward of the National RallyCross Championships, wanted to prove that sometimes you don’t have to go overboard to win a Championship title. Cashion and myself set off to do what some deemed to be the impossible—win the modified two-wheel drive championships with a stock (except for rally tires and rims) Honda Civic Si with six-speed manual transmission. At 195 horsepower and with the infamous Honda VTEC motor, the Civic Si isn’t playing around. However, could it beat fully modified cars?

The answer was yes. Honda, from the factory, is able to build a car that could not only take first place in the Championships, but also claim second place (with yours truly behind the wheel) in the same category and another second place victory in the prepared two-wheel drive class. This little red Civic also claimed the fastest time of the day in its class on Sunday with myself piloting it around the course.

Bottom line—Small cars aren’t what they used to be and Honda has the proof in the pudding with the Civi Si. The question now is, will you check on out for yourself?

Source;
http://www.allsmallcars.com/blog/1048629_honda-civic-si-takes-1st-place-at-scca-rallycross-championships

Demon Car Veritas RS III to join FIA GT1 World Championship?

Demon Car.... looks so amazing, it takes the 'angry look' to a whole new level....
The FIA GT1 World Championship just kicked off its inaugural season since its organizing body, SRO, split the former FIA GT Championship into separate series for the GT1 and GT2 classes. Already, manufacturers are lining up to participate.

At the opening round of the new series, six different vehicles were on the grid, including the Nissan GT-R, Corvette C6.R, Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV, Matech Ford GT, Aston Martin DBR9 and Maserati MC12. But if the latest reports become reality, that impressive lineup could see a new challenger from a decidedly more niche manufacturer.

According to some reports, Veritas is preparing a fixed-roof GT1-spec version of its RS III supercar – complete with BMW-sourced V10 – for participation in the series. The reports emanate from the Top Marques show in Monaco, where the automaker reportedly indicated its racing ambitions. If Veritas gets its act together on time, they could be joining the series mid-season as soon as the Nurburgring round this coming July.

Source (with more pics);
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/02/veritas-rs-iii-to-join-fia-gt1-world-championship/

Honda's HSV-010 (Next Gen NSX!) Spied by Kansenzyuku (via Vtec.net)

What makes these snap shots bitter sweet is the fact that this NSX was so close to production that they were able to sell the GTA.co to allow them to enter the race with this car! This would have been a sweet production car!

Now, here's how I feel....

Source (via www.vtec.net);

http://www.kansenzyuku.com/circuitdiary/diary.cgi?no=129

Honda to compete in GT500 class of 2010 Super GT Series with HSV-010 GT

December 22, 2009―Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that it will compete in the GT500 class of the 2010 Super GT Series (managed and run by GTA Co., Ltd.) with its HSV-010 GT.

The HSV-010 GT was developed exclusively for racing with the hope of offering thrills and dreams to fans through an unremitting focus on speed—the starting point of all motorsports. The model conforms to the 2010 GT500 Regulations, (including a 3.4-liter V8 engine and an FR layout) issued by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), having earned JAF-GT500 basic vehicle registration. The HSV-010 GT is slated to debut at the Super GT season opener at the Suzuka Circuit, held on March 20–21 (Sat.–Sun.), 2010.

* The letters “HSV” stand for Honda Sports Velocity.

Since joining the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC) in 1997 with its NSX-GT, Honda has competed in a total of 106 races during 13 years through the end of the 2009 season. During this time, Honda has taken the pole position 50 times and won 37 races.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=870316

Honda Announces Sale of the Honda Racing F1 Team

TOKYO, Japan, March 6, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the sale of the Honda Racing F1 Team (HRF1) to Ross Brawn, the former Team Principal of Honda Racing F1 Team.

The entire shares of the HRF1, held by Honda GP Holdings Ltd., the UK-based holding company for HRF1 that managed all operations of Honda's Formula One racing, were sold to Ross Brawn. As a result of this sale, the team ownership has transferred to Mr. Brawn, who plans to have the new team compete for this year's FIA Formula One World Championship.
- Hiroshi Oshima, Managing Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. responsible for Corporate Communications and Motor Sports

"Since announcing our withdrawal from Formula One racing on December 5 of last year, we have conducted various studies and discussions so that the team can continue its activities as a new team. We are very pleased that we could sell the team to Ross Brawn, with whom we have been partaking in the challenges of F1 competition, and are grateful for his decision. We offer our sincerest wishes for the new team which will be led by Ross."

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1101-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode