Honda Performance Development, Inc., the racing arm of American Honda Motor Company, Inc., confirmed Saturday that it plans to adopt the new engine formula for the IZOD IndyCar Series, extending participation beyond expiration of its current supply agreement at the conclusion of the 2011 season.
HPD has provided engines to the series since 2003, and has served as the exclusive engine supplier to the Indy Racing League since 2006. HPD will continue to provide the current Honda Indy V8 engine to all IndyCar competitors during the 2011 season, after which a new 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 power plant, designed by HPD, will debut when new engine specifications take effect in the series in 2012.
The cost of a season-long lease for the 2012 Honda IndyCar engine will be reduced by up to 40 percent from current pricing. This follows a number of other significant cost reductions which Honda has implemented since taking on the challenge of supplying the entire field of IndyCar entrants in 2006.
“Through both robust and trying times, our commitment to open-wheel racing in America has never wavered,” said Erik Berkman, president of HPD. “With today's announcement, we are pleased to reaffirm that commitment, and extend it deep into the current decade.
“With a passionate and energetic new title sponsor in IZOD, dynamic new management at its helm, and plans to significantly reshape its on-track product in the near future, the IndyCar Series is poised for significant growth,” Berkman continued. “We are delighted to take a role in that promising future.”
HPD and technical partner Ilmor Engineering continue to prepare and maintain the engines used by all teams during competition in the season-long IndyCar Series, which includes the Indianapolis 500. In an open-wheel racing history that dates to 1994 – beginning with nine seasons (1994-2002) in the former CART/Champ Car Series – Honda has recorded 170 race victories, 12 drivers' championships, 10 Manufacturers' Championships and seven Indianapolis 500 victories.