HPD Reaffirms Commitment to Formula F; More Than 100 Engines Sold Since 2010
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (January 13, 2014) – With more than 100 Honda Formula F engines sold to racers in the United States and Canada, Honda Performance Development has played a major role in the revitalization of North American Formula F competition over the last four years.
“The enthusiasm and support for the Honda Formula F program from the racing community has been very gratifying,” said Marc Sours, HPD Senior Manager and Chief Engineer. “We believe in the class; and wanted to see it grow and return to its rightful place as both a ‘first step’ for the young aspiring driver and as a competitive, cost-effective, open-wheel platform for veteran club racers.”
The 1.5-liter HPD L15A7 became eligible for SCCA Formula F competition in 2010, introducing a modern racing engine to the category while strengthening Formula F’s historic position as the first step in American open-wheel racing.
Developed from the current Honda Fit passenger car, introduced in 2009, the L15A7 engine in FF form provided open-wheel racers with a modern, fuel-injected design offering superior reliability, service life, increased availability and lower operating costs compared to the category’s traditional engines.
HPD will continue to supply complete engines, replacement parts and support for the Formula F Honda engine after a new generation of the Honda Fit is released in North America for the 2015 model year. Although the new Fit model will have an updated engine with direct injection and other changes, HPD has a large supply of current engines and spares available, and American Honda will continue to supply OEM support for the current Fit Formula F engine until at least 2024.
“We’re thrilled to have surpassed 100 Honda Formula F engines sold in just four years,” Sours said. “We’re even more proud to have participated in the recent resurgence of the class – increased club-level participation and now four separate professional series in the U.S. and Canada – since the Honda engine became available. We look forward to continuing this pattern of support and growth for many years to come.”
In addition, more than 318,000 second generation (2009-2014) model year Honda Fit cars have been sold in North America to date, with these cars providing another significant source for replacement parts and engines well into the future.
Founded in 1993, Honda Performance Development (HPD) is the technical operations center for high-performance Honda racing cars and engines, and operates at race circuits around the world from its headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. HPD offers a line of race engines for track applications from karting and Quarter Midgets up to Indy cars and prototype sports cars; and showcases “fun to drive” products for professional, amateur and entry-level efforts.
Launched in 2009, the Honda Racing Line is a program targeted at licensed participants in sanctioned amateur and entry-level professional racing. The Honda Racing Line was formed to provide its members with a direct connection to Honda Performance Development and its unparalleled record of success at the highest levels of motorsport. For more information about HPD and to register for the Honda Racing Line, please visit http://hpd.honda.com.