Honda Performance Development,
Inc. Begins Honda FF Engine Deliveries
February 19 2010
Honda Performance Development recently began shipping 1.5-liter Honda Fit engines to racers planning to run the engine in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Formula F competition. Through its introduction to the category, HPD hopes to strengthen FF's position as the first step in American open-wheel auto racing.
The initial batch of fuel-injected Honda L15A7 overhead-cam engines was shipped to competitors who had previously secured their orders via cash deposit. The Fit engine can be adapted for installation in existing FF chassis.
"This is an exciting day for all of us at HPD," said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development. "We hope that this foundational step in our grassroots motorsports initiative will help grow the FF class by making it more affordable and competitive."
The Honda FF engine was developed by HPD in cooperation with Maryland-based Quicksilver RacEngines. The engine was developed to equal the performance of the traditional Kent power plant through utilization of an intake restrictor plate and appropriately mapped Engine Control Unit (ECU), as confirmed during comparative testing with representative Kent engines under SCCA supervision. Final track output will be mandated by the SCCA through its restrictor determination.
Honda-powered FFs are approved for SCCA competition effective March 1, 2010.
Developed from the current Honda Fit, introduced in 2009, the L15A7 engine in FF form is intended to provide open-wheel racers with a modern, fuel-injected design offering superior service life, increased availability and lower operating costs. Engine rebuilds will be reduced, with a corresponding reduction in the need for top-end refreshing. In addition, crankshaft and valve-spring life should be extended dramatically; and most ignition and all carburetor maintenance will be eliminated.
"Many of us at HPD, myself included, have been involved in FF racing," said Marc Sours, HPD Production Division Manager and Large Project Leader for HPD's grassroots effort. "We believe in the class and want to see it grow in popularity. With the delivery of this first batch of Honda FF engines, and future orders, we are hoping to increase participation through economical competition."
Honda Fit race engines can be purchased as a complete package, including a base L15A7 engine and FF engine conversion kit (including intake, exhaust, dry sump, lightweight alternator, restrictor plate and ECU). Individual component parts will also be available for purchase separately.
HPD also offers chassis kits for three of the most popular FF designs: the Swift DB-1, Swift DB-6 and Van Diemen RF99-09 models. Several current race-car manufacturers, including Fast Forward Components (Piper) and Citation Engineering, offer FF chassis ready to accept the Fit engine.
For more information on the Honda Fit FF engine, racers can explore the HPD website, http://racing.honda.com/hpd, or contact the company at:
Honda Performance Development, Inc.
661-702-7777
grmsadmin@hra.com
Honda Performance Development (HPD) is Honda's racing company within North America. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for American Honda's high-performance racing cars and engines. In addition to its new grassroots motorsports business, HPD is the single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series and spearheaded Acura's championship-winning efforts in the 2009 American Le Mans Series.
Quicksilver RacEngines (QSRE) is a private company in Frederick, MD, owned and operated by Sandy Shamlian since 1973. QSRE engines have been a staple in open-wheel and sports-car racing, logging countless professional and amateur race wins and championships in the USA, England, Venezuela, Australia and Canada in classes such as Zetec F2000, Formula Continental Sports 2000, Formula Atlantic and FF1600.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
American Honda Announces
American Honda Announces a $35,000 WERA National Challenge Superbike Championship Bonus
March 01 2010
American Honda announced today that its 2010 contingency program will include a $35,000 bonus to any Honda CBR®-mounted rider that wins the WERA National Challenge Superbike Series.
This championship bonus is an addition to an already lucrative payout schedule announced last month. Eligible models include 2008 and newer CBR1000RRs. Honda Red Rider Reward standard contingency rules apply.
Visit HondaRedRiders.com to download a 2010 contingency claim form for details.
About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft in the U.S. American Honda's Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.
Honda Red Rider Rewards program inquiries may be directed to the info hotline at (310) 781-5111.
©2010 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
March 01 2010
American Honda announced today that its 2010 contingency program will include a $35,000 bonus to any Honda CBR®-mounted rider that wins the WERA National Challenge Superbike Series.
This championship bonus is an addition to an already lucrative payout schedule announced last month. Eligible models include 2008 and newer CBR1000RRs. Honda Red Rider Reward standard contingency rules apply.
Visit HondaRedRiders.com to download a 2010 contingency claim form for details.
About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft in the U.S. American Honda's Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.
Honda Red Rider Rewards program inquiries may be directed to the info hotline at (310) 781-5111.
©2010 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved.
American Honda Reports February Sales
American Honda Reports February Sales
March 02 2010
Honda Division up 12.2 percent; Acura Division up 16.7 percent
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted February sales of 80,671, an increase of 12.7 percent when compared to February 2009 results of 71,575, the company announced today. American Honda year-to-date sales of 148,150 represent an increase of 8.2 percent based on the daily selling rate*.
Honda Division posted February sales of 71,732, an increase of 12.2 percent versus February 2009. The Accord lineup resulted in the most sales of any Honda nameplate for the month with 22,456, an increase of 40.6 percent. Additional models with year-over-year sales increases included the Civic, up 5.0 percent to 16,471; and the Odyssey, up 11.4 percent to 7,452.
"A year ago the economy and our industry were at a low point marked with great uncertainty," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "While we remain cautious, we're happy to see customers actively seeking Honda products like the all-new Accord Crosstour."
Acura Division sales increased 16.7 percent to 8,939. The MDX led the division with sales of 3,266, an increase of 64.9 percent.
*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 24 days for February 2010 and 24 days for 2009. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 48 days for 2010, versus 50 days for 2009. All percentages reflect DSR.
March 02 2010
Honda Division up 12.2 percent; Acura Division up 16.7 percent
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted February sales of 80,671, an increase of 12.7 percent when compared to February 2009 results of 71,575, the company announced today. American Honda year-to-date sales of 148,150 represent an increase of 8.2 percent based on the daily selling rate*.
Honda Division posted February sales of 71,732, an increase of 12.2 percent versus February 2009. The Accord lineup resulted in the most sales of any Honda nameplate for the month with 22,456, an increase of 40.6 percent. Additional models with year-over-year sales increases included the Civic, up 5.0 percent to 16,471; and the Odyssey, up 11.4 percent to 7,452.
"A year ago the economy and our industry were at a low point marked with great uncertainty," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "While we remain cautious, we're happy to see customers actively seeking Honda products like the all-new Accord Crosstour."
Acura Division sales increased 16.7 percent to 8,939. The MDX led the division with sales of 3,266, an increase of 64.9 percent.
*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 24 days for February 2010 and 24 days for 2009. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 48 days for 2010, versus 50 days for 2009. All percentages reflect DSR.
Acura Posts Sales Increase for February
Acura Posts Sales Increase for February
March 02 2010
New MDX and RDX SUVs Post Impressive Sales Gains
The MDX luxury SUV led Acura's February sales with 3,266 units sold, up an impressive 64.9 percent. The new RDX crossover SUV also posted a significant gain of 19.9 percent with 850 units sold. Acura year-to-date* sales reached 16,071, up 7.9 percent compared to 2009.
"The MDX has long been a category leader, and sales continue to be strong despite limited supply," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "The MDX's fresh look, new 6-speed transmission and technology are hitting a sweet spot with customers."
The TL performance luxury sedan led Acura's car sales for February with 2,410 units sold, down 3.2 percent, while the TSX sports sedan followed closely with 2,123 units sold, down 7.4 percent. Acura's combined sedan sales were down 6.1 percent, to 4,664, while light-truck sales posted a 58.9 percent gain with total sales of 4,275. Total Acura sales for February totaled 8,939, up 16.7 percent.
For media information and high-resolution photos of all Acura vehicles, please visit www.acuranews.com. For consumer information, please visit www.acura.com.
*Year-to-date sales based on 48 days for 2010 and 50 days for 2009.
**The daily selling rate is calculated with 24 selling days for February 2010 and 24 selling days for February 2009.
March 02 2010
New MDX and RDX SUVs Post Impressive Sales Gains
The MDX luxury SUV led Acura's February sales with 3,266 units sold, up an impressive 64.9 percent. The new RDX crossover SUV also posted a significant gain of 19.9 percent with 850 units sold. Acura year-to-date* sales reached 16,071, up 7.9 percent compared to 2009.
"The MDX has long been a category leader, and sales continue to be strong despite limited supply," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "The MDX's fresh look, new 6-speed transmission and technology are hitting a sweet spot with customers."
The TL performance luxury sedan led Acura's car sales for February with 2,410 units sold, down 3.2 percent, while the TSX sports sedan followed closely with 2,123 units sold, down 7.4 percent. Acura's combined sedan sales were down 6.1 percent, to 4,664, while light-truck sales posted a 58.9 percent gain with total sales of 4,275. Total Acura sales for February totaled 8,939, up 16.7 percent.
For media information and high-resolution photos of all Acura vehicles, please visit www.acuranews.com. For consumer information, please visit www.acura.com.
*Year-to-date sales based on 48 days for 2010 and 50 days for 2009.
**The daily selling rate is calculated with 24 selling days for February 2010 and 24 selling days for February 2009.
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