Torrance, CA

  • The new HRC Heritage Racing Program offers comprehensive restoration, sales, service and trackside support of historic Honda and Acura race cars
  • First race car for sale to be featured at the HRC display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, during Monterey Car Week on Aug. 14
  • Historic 2- and 4-wheel racing machines on display at Monterey Car Week will include F1, IndyCar, IMSA, SCCA, Baja, MotoGP and Dakar race and championship winners

 

Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) is giving enthusiasts the opportunity to own iconic championship race machines through the HRC Heritage Racing Program, launching this week during California’s famed Monterey Car Week. This HRC Heritage Racing Program includes the sale and restoration of historic Honda and Acura race machines that have won races and championships around the world, including at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona and Laguna Seca.

The first race car available for purchase and restoration from the new HRC Heritage Racing Program is the Sebring-winning V8-powered #26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, which is headlining the HRC display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Aug. 14. The Andretti Green Racing “XM” car was the first purpose-built Acura endurance racer and the first car and engine designed and developed by HRC in the U.S. Winner of the LMP2 class at the 2007 Sebring 12 Hours, its debut race, it was driven to victory by Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan.

"Classic race cars never die, their myth and aura just grow and the HRC Heritage Racing Program is all about keeping our incredible Honda and Acura race cars doing what they were born to do ― race," said David Salters, president of HRC US. "As the builder of these race-winning machines, and custodian of the original IP and knowledge, HRC is uniquely equipped to restore them to their original form, ensuring they can return to historic racing competition authentically and ready to be enjoyed by our customers and fans."

Restorations of Unmatched Authenticity

The HRC Heritage Racing Program delivers restorations of unmatched authenticity, meticulously performed utilizing the race machine’s original homologation documents, plus notes and photographs from the original HRC engineers involved in each project. The work is supported by extensive HRC archives of technical data ensuring each car and engine is restored correctly.

Each race car is completely torn down and reassembled with new and reconditioned parts and, in the interest of safety, some updated materials. Electronics are modernized and the engines are rebuilt at HRC US headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Finally, post-restoration, each race machine is thoroughly track tested and HRC engineers are available for track support and to assist the new owner in competition.

“HRC restores these historic Honda and Acura race cars to a level enabling them to be driven and feel as original as possible, while still making some updates ― especially with regards to electronics,” said HRC US Commercial Manager John Whiteman. “Our approach maintains the authenticity of design and driving experience of these iconic race cars and adds modifications for safety performance and to ensure they are user-friendly for their new owners.”

 

HRC at 2026 Monterey Car Week

HRC will celebrate the company's more than eight decades of two- and four-wheel motorsports heritage during Monterey Car Week (Aug. 12–16) with a showcase of championship-winning race cars and motorcycles from Formula One, IndyCar, IMSA, SCCA, Baja racing, MotoGP, Dakar, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, and more. More than 20 iconic Honda and Acura race machines will be featured at premier events throughout the weekend, including Motorlux, The Quail, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

   

Successful HRC Restorations Lead to New Program

The HRC Heritage Racing Program grew out of the recent restoration and sale of a number of significant Honda and Acura race machines performing on track at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, and featured throughout Monterey Car Week.

HRC has restored four Acura ARX-05 DPi endurance racers that compete in IMSA’s Historic SportsCar Racing Series, including a 2019 Acura Team Penske car that will be displayed at Laguna Seca this weekend. The Acura ARX-05 is a highly successful sports prototype racing car developed for the Daytona Prototype International (DPi) class in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Competing from 2018 through 2022, the vehicle secured three teams', drivers', and constructors' championships (2019, 2020, 2022) as well as a Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona win in 2023.

Following its recent HRC restoration and track testing, the 2010 ARX-01c “Strakka Racing” Le Mans LMP2 class winner also will be on track at Laguna Seca this weekend — racing in the Scott Pruett Legends event on Saturday with current Acura GTP IMSA driver Nick Yelloly behind the wheel. Then, on Sunday, it will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the Japanese Motorsports: The Rising Sun At Le Mans class alongside the 1996 Team Kunimitsu NSX GT2.

The HRC Heritage Racing Program also was recently involved in the refurbishment of the 2001 Reynard 01i raced by the late Gil de Ferran for Team Penske in the 2001 CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) championship — offering a period correct Honda engine, supporting the engine fire up and inspecting key electronic components for the car’s current owner, Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, long-time friend of de Ferran.

Brown purchased the car from Roger Penske earlier this year and, with the help of HRC US, has made it track ready. It too will be making demonstration laps at Laguna Seca throughout the weekend.

Gil de Ferran won back-to-back CART championships in 2000 and 2001 with Team Penske and Honda power and set the fastest official closed-course qualifying lap in U.S. racing history with a speed of 241.428 miles per hour at California Speedway, a record that still stands today.

Additionally, the Acura NSX GT3 Chassis No. 5 will be displayed at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca. Recently restored by HRC and currently available for purchase, the Acura NSX GT3 recorded 38 class wins in both IMSA and SRO; plus two manufacturers' championships, five drivers' titles and four teams' championships from 2017-2023. Chassis No. 5 is the winningest NSX GT3 of all time and displayed in its iconic “Lady Liberty” livery.

While currently focused on the restoration of historic endurance racers, HRC US plans to expand the new Heritage Racing Program with future offerings to include more historic Honda-powered IndyCar machines.

 

HRC Memorabilia and Merchandise

In addition to the XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, the HRC display at The Quail will offer fans and collectors the opportunity to own a wide range of authentic, high-quality HRC memorabilia and merchandise, including ultra-limited collectibles from the company's storied legacy in motorsport and the latest apparel from the HRC Originals collection. These HRC memorabilia and merchandise items will also be offered at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Genuine engine components from the McLaren MP4/5B driven by Gerhard Berger in the 1990 German Grand Prix will be available, including piston and connecting rod assemblies, camshafts, valves, a cam cover and more. Each part from the race-used RA100E, the last Honda V10 Formula One engine, is beautifully housed in a bespoke display case, accompanied by an original HRC certificate of authenticity.

HRC also will offer premium scale models of the legendary Honda RA272 (chassis #103) Formula One race car — honoring the very car that won Honda its first F1 victory at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix. Produced in two sizes, 1:8 scale and 1:18 scale, these meticulously crafted collector's items are produced in partnership with Amalgam Collection and features authentic painted livery, hand-built bodywork, and precisely engineered parts including a fully replicated Honda V12 engine.

For more information on the HRC Heritage Racing Program and all Honda Heritage race machines available for purchase visit heritage.honda.racing 

 

About Honda Racing Corporation USA

Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) leads all Honda and Acura racing programs in North America and has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers. From pinnacle racing in INDYCAR and IMSA sports cars to grassroots racing programs, HRC US has amassed over 500 race wins and 60 series championships.

HRC US specializes in the in-house design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, racing products and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. The company offers HRC parts and race support services to Honda and Acura  racers in North America. In 2024, HRC US expanded its operations to pursue consumer performance parts, merchandise and historic memorabilia sales.

https://hondaracing-us.honda.com

 

Important Notice
Although the information included in this press release is accurate as of the date of publication, this information is subject to change at any time without notice. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. assumes no responsibility for updating this information.

 

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