Η Acura και η Honda ανακοίνωσαν τα πλάνα τους να κατεβάσουν διάφορα οχήματα σε 7 διαφορετικές κατηγορίες στο φετινό Pikes Peak International Hill Climb που θα διεξαχθεί στις 29 Ιουνίου.
Η Honda δεν έδωσε ιδιαίτερες πληροφορίες στη δημοσιότητα αλλά επιβεβαίωσε τα σχέδια της να κατεβάσει ένα Fit EV στην κατηγορία των ηλεκτρικών οχημάτων και ένα αγωνιστικό Fit B-Spec στην Exhibition κατηγορία. Στην Open κατηγορία θα συμμετέχει ένα Acura NSX πρώτης γενιάς, μία CBR600RR στην Middleweight class και ένα TRX 450 στην 450 ATV class. Τα δύο αυτοκίνητα που κεντρίζουν το ενδιαφέρον όμως, είναι ένα S3700 που θα αγωνιστεί στην Time Attack κατηγορία και ένα Norma με κινητήρα Honda στα χέρια του Romain Dumas που θα αγωνιστεί στην Unlimited.
Για αυτούς που δεν γνωρίζουν, το S3700 είναι ένα two-off (με την έννοια ότι έχει κατασκευαστεί δύο φορές, την πρώτη το 2009 και την δεύτερη στις αρχές του 2013) αυτοκίνητο που κατασκευάστηκε από την Honda Performance Development. Στην ουσία, πρόκειται για το chassis ενός 2009 Honda S2000 στο οποίο έχει χωρέσει με κάποιον περίεργο τρόπο ένας 3.7 λίτρων V6. Από την άλλη, το Norma είναι ένα ανοιχτό αγωνιστικό όχημα με carbon chassis που αν δεν κάνω λάθος, κινείται από έναν K20 κινητήρα της Honda με 260 περίπου άλογα.
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Honda to be Partnering Sponsor in 2014 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Honda to participate as sponsor and race participant, and support the introduction of new safety improvements to the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
As a further extension of its growing commitment to grassroots racing in North America, Honda announced today that it is making a major commitment to the 2014 running of the legendary Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, as both a sponsor and race participant, with plans to field products in seven distinct race classes. In addition, Honda will be working with the AMA and the Pikes Peak sanctioning body on improvements which will provide new levels of safety to the Motorcycle / ATV / UTV / Sidecar competitors.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. will return as the Partnering Sponsor for the 2014 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the second time the company has participated as a corporate sponsor of the legendary race event. The 92nd running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place on Sunday, June 29.
In addition, Honda Power Sports will be the official ATV / UTV of the event, showcasing its latest products to support the sanctioning body.
“Pikes Peak presents us with a unique opportunity to showcase Honda’s diverse product lineup and to energize Honda fans around the world, as we work to further strengthen Honda’s presence in racing at all levels,” said Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development, the racing arm of American Honda. “Our associates will be working hard between now and Race Day to prepare this diverse field of race vehicles and showcase the Honda Racing Spirit.”
This year also represents the first time a competitor at Pikes Peak has worked with the sanctioning body to improve overall safety at the historic event. Showcasing its global commitment to safety, Honda has worked with the AMA and the Pikes Peak sanctioning body to implement the race-proven technology of AirFence Provided by RoadRacing World Action Fund on key corners of the course. The AirFence has been successfully used in professional motorcycle racing worldwide and promises to enhance the 92nd running of the Pikes Peak hill climb.
With support from Honda’s North American R&D and motorsports companies – Honda R&D Americas, Inc. and Honda Performance Development, Inc. – the company will campaign a broad range of Honda and Acura vehicles, as well as Honda motorcycles and ATVs. Honda will showcase its diverse range of fun-to-drive/ride products and will field products in seven race classes, building upon the unprecedented level of involvement in 2013.
Along with vehicles developed and piloted by Honda’s North American associates under the banners of Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Team-Honda Research (THR), Honda is also supporting 2011 Pikes Peak Rookie of the Year and second-place overall finisher Romain Dumas in his own entry of a Honda-powered Norma RD Limited prototype chassis in the Unlimited class.
As a further extension of Honda’s sponsorship effort, Honda Power Equipment will be supporting race operations, with Honda generators providing electricity and light to the pits and staging area. Honda Power Sports will also be providing Honda ATV / UTV products to support the sanctioning body during race week.
Honda has competed in the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on a less ambitious scale in the recent past. In 2011, Honda campaigned a Fit hatchback that was built and piloted by Honda engineers from North America. In 2012, the company fielded an Acura NSX powered by an ALMS P2 twin-turbo V-6 engine supplied by Honda Performance Development (HPD), and outfitted with an ex-Le Mans body and wide-body kit, with support from members of the Ohio-based Honda of America Race Team (HART). Prior to that, Honda set records in EV class in 1994 and 1999 with the Honda EV Plus. In 2013, Honda competed in 10 distinct racing classes with 11 vehicles – the most of any single O.E.M. in the history of Pikes Peak. At this event, Honda is continuing its efforts to showcase its racing spirit and its commitment to safety. This year also marks the first time Honda will be supporting Romain Dumas with Honda power to challenge the Unlimited class.
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