Racing History
Soichiro Honda's love of victory helped launch a small company into a racing giant. Honda Racing was born. Below are just a few milestones Honda Racing has achieved over the past 50 years.
1959
Isle of Man
Honda becomes the first Japanese manufacturer to race in the Isle of Man TT. The team sweeps the podium in 1961, fulfilling Mr. Honda's dream.
1965
F1 Win
After a challenging inaugural year in F1, Honda claims its first win at the Mexico Grand Prix with Richie Ginther behind the wheel.
1974
First Race Car
Bob Boileau purchases a new Civic 1200, builds the first American Honda racecar and goes on to win six SCCA GT5 championships.
1988
SCCA CR-X
Peter Cunningham pilots a Honda CR-X Si to the first of his nine SCCA Pro Racing Drivers' Championships.
1991
McLaren F1
With the help of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, Honda wins its sixth consecutive Formula One Manufacturers' Championship.
1993
HPD
Honda Racing Corporation is founded to develop parts for American motorsports series.
1996
Cart
Jimmy Vasser wins the first of six consecutive Championship Auto Racing Team (CART) Drivers’ Championships for Honda.
2001
Cart Consectutive Wins
Honda wins a manufacturers' title for the fourth time and a drivers' title for the sixth consecutive year in the CART series.
2004
First Indy Win
Honda powers its first Indy 500® victory with driver Buddy Rice behind the wheel.
2006
Sole Engine Supplier for IndyCar
Honda becomes the sole IndyCar® engine supplier for six straight seasons, powering all 33 cars at the Indy 500® with no engine failures.
2007
Acura LMP2 Win
Acura enters the American Le Mans Series and secures an LMP2 class win in the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring race.
2009
Racing Line Program Created
Honda Racing Corporation establishes the Honda Racing Line program, providing factory support and parts to grassroots racers.
2009
HPD WINS LMP1 AND LMP2 AT ALMS
Honda-powered cars win the LMP1 and LMP2 American Le Mans Series Manufacturers’ Championship.
2010
HPD WIN AT LE MANS
Strakka Racing claims the LMP2 victory in HPD’s first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2012
TSX
The Acura TSX wins the Pirelli World Challenge GTS Manufacturers’ Championship with RealTime Racing.
2012
Baja 500
HPD's Desert Pilot wins the Class 6 Trophy Truck category at the SCORE BAJA 500.
2012
SCCA NATIONAL TITLES
Amateur Honda and Acura racers participate in an SCCA winner-take-all race known as the Runoffs, winning four national titles.
2012
FRANCHITTI 3X INDY 500® WIN
Dario Franchitti claims his third Indy 500® victory, joining the ranks of elite racing history.
2013
B-SPEC FIT WIN
Team Honda Racing wins Rally America’s B-Spec Championship with the HPD Fit in 2013.
2014
RYAN HUNTER-REAY WINS INDY 500®
Ryan Hunter-Reay claims his first Indy 500® victory and the 10th Honda-powered win.
2016
Rossi Wins Indy 500®
Alexander Rossi caps off his rookie year by winning the 100th Running™ of the Indy 500®.
2016
Honda Enters GRC
Honda begins competing in the Red Bull Global Rallycross with the 10th-generation Civic Coupe.
2017
NSX GT3
The Acura NSX GT3 enters competition in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Michael Shank Racing.
2017
TAKUMA SATO WINS INDY 500®
Takuma Sato makes history as the first Japanese driver to win the Indy 500®, a back-to-back championship for Andretti Autosport.