HONDA INDYCAR MESSAGE POINTS FOR THE MILWAUKEE MILE
June 12, 2013 by SuzukiHonda has a long record of success at The Milwaukee Mile, the oldest racing facility in North America. Honda-powered drivers and teams have won nine times in 17 races since the company entered Indy car competition in 1994, more than any other manufacturer. ◾Dario Franchitti is Honda's most successful driver – and most recent winner – at Milwaukee. Franchitti was victorious in 2011, driving for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, and also won in 2004, driving for Andretti Green Racing. ◾Other Honda-powered winners at The Milwaukee Mile include Jimmy Vasser (1998), Paul Tracy (1999 and 2002), Tony Kanaan (2006-07), Ryan Briscoe (2008) and Scott Dixon (2009). ◾The twin IZOD IndyCar Series victories for Honda in Detroit earlier this month were the 198th and 199th wins for the manufacturer since it began Indy car competition in 1994. This total includes seasons with manufacturer competition, as well as the six-year period (2006-2011) when Honda supplied engines to the full IndyCar Series field. ◾Simon Pagenaud's inaugural IndyCar win at the IndyCar Dual at Detroit was Honda's 100th victory against competition from other manufacturers. Honda-powered drivers have won three times this season, including two podium sweeps of the top-three finishing positions. ◾Honda's 2013 race victories have been recorded by Takuma Sato for A.J. Foyt Racing at Long Beach, Mike Conway with Dale Coyne Racing in the first of Detroit's two races, and Pagenaud of Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports in the Detroit finale. ◾Honda drivers swept the victory podium at Long Beach (finishing 1-4 were Sato, Graham Rahal, Justin Wilson and Dario Franchitti, respectively); and at the second Detroit 'Dual' (a 1-5 result with Pagenaud, James Jakes, second; Conway, third; Scott Dixon, fourth and Franchitti fifth). Honda drivers have scored 10 podium finishes in eight races this season. ◾The 2013 season marks the second season of manufacturer competition in the IZOD IndyCar Series after six years of Honda serving as single engine supplier. Chevrolet and Honda are battling for supremacy throughout a season of 19 races.
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◾On Wednesday, June 5, Honda announced that Pagenaud will drive a race-prepared Honda Odyssey at the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb later this month, part of a record 11-vehicle Honda effort taking part in the annual 'Race to the Clouds'. Built by Honda associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, the Odyssey features a turbocharged, intercooled V6 engine producing more than 500 hp, a full roll cage and race-tuned suspension and brakes. MARKETING ◾Detroit victor Pagenaud and his Sam Schmidt Motorsports teammate, IndyCar rookie Tristan Vautier, were being featured in 'Inside the Indy Challenge', a series of nine documentary-style webcast videos featuring Honda and the Schmidt team. The first video in the series debuted in April on www.insidetheindychallenge.com and a variety of social media channels, including Tumblr, YouTube, Ustream, Facebook and Twitter. ◾Filmmakers were embedded with the team for three race weekends – the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sao Paulo, Brazil and the Indianapolis 500 – to provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at Honda's IndyCar racing program. HONDA PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT 20TH ANNIVERSARY ◾In April 1993, Honda Performance Development was founded in Santa Clarita, California as the competition arm of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. HPD is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013 with a variety of events and activities. ◾In 20 years, HPD has grown from just a handful of staffers to approximately 150 associates; and from an engine-rebuilding facility to a complete motorsports Research & Development organization, engaged in programs ranging from pinnacle racing series including the IZOD IndyCar Series, FIA World Endurance Championship and American Le Mans Series; to grassroots and entry-level categories including karting, Quarter Midgets and Formula F competition. ◾Drivers and teams using HPD products have won 199 Indy car races and nine Indianapolis 500s, both in years with multi-manufacturer competition (1994-2005, 2012); and as single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series from 2006-2011. ◾During years of Indy car multi-manufacturer competition, Honda has claimed six Manufacturers' Championships, and Honda-powered drivers have won eight drivers' championships. No other manufacturer has won as many titles in the past 20 years. ◾HPD spearheaded championship-winning efforts in the 2009, 2010 and 2012 American Le Mans Series; the 2010 Le Mans Series; and powered the LMP2-winning team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 2010 and 2012. Last year, the Florida-based Starworks team became the first American team to win an FIA World Championship since 1969, claiming LMP2 honors in the 2012 World Endurance Championship using an HPD ARX-03b chassis and Honda HR28TT V6 engine, prepared and developed by HPD.