As a further extension of its growing commitment to motor racing, Honda announced today that it is making a major commitment to the 2013 running of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, as both a sponsor and race participant, with plans to field products in nine race classes, a first for any manufacturer in a single Pikes Peak event.
Honda will serve as the Partnering Sponsor for the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the first time the company has participated as a corporate sponsor of the legendary race event. The 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is scheduled for June 30, 2013 in Colorado, America.
“Pikes Peak presents us with a unique opportunity to showcase Honda’s diverse product line-up and to energize Honda fans around world, as we work to further strengthen Honda’s presence in racing at all levels,” said Frank Kennedy, Sales Director of Universal Honda Ltd. “Honda will be working hard between now and Race Day to prepare this diverse field of race vehicles and showcase the Honda racing spirit.”
With support from Honda’s North American R&D operations and HPD Honda Performance Development, the company will campaign a broad range of Honda cars, motorcycles and ATVs. Honda will showcase its diverse range of fun-to-drive/ride products and will field 10 products in nine race classes, the most ever for a single race participant.
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 2013 Pikes Peak entries:
|
Category |
Class |
Vehicle |
Driver / Rider |
Honda Company |
|
Car |
Pikes Peak Open |
Honda NSX [1st gen. NSX] |
James Robinson |
Honda R&D |
|
Time Attack |
Acura TL SH-AWD |
Brian Shanfeld |
Honda R&D |
|
|
Exhibition |
Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe |
Sage Marie |
Honda North America |
|
|
EV |
Honda Jazz EV |
Roy Richards |
Honda R&D |
|
|
Motorcycle |
250 |
Honda CRF250R |
Nick Robinson |
Honda R&D |
|
250 |
Honda CRF250R |
Dane Marsack |
Honda R&D |
|
|
450 |
Honda CRF450R |
Jeff Tigert |
American Honda |
|
|
Exhibition |
Honda CBR1000RR |
Alex Moreno |
Honda R&D |
|
|
750SS |
Honda CBR600RR |
Erik Dunshee |
Honda R&D |
|
|
ATV |
450 ATV |
Honda TRX450 |
Keith Steidl |
Honda R&D |
Honda has competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on a less ambitious scale in the recent past. In 2011, Honda campaigned a Jazz hatchback that was built and piloted by Honda engineers from North America. In 2012, the company fielded a Honda NSX powered by an American Le Mans Series P2 twin-turbo V6 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 Honda of America Race Team (HART). Prior to that, Honda set records in the Electric Vehicle class in 1994 and 1999 with the Honda EV Plus. This year also marks the return of advanced Honda EV technology to America’s second-oldest race, in the form of a 2013 Honda Jazz EV.
Copyright Honda 2017