Brand Story
Honda's Passion and Commitment
Racing Is a Training Ground for People and Technology
Honda believes that racing is an ideal training ground for its associates because the development time for racing models and technologies is extremely short when compared to that of production models and the superiority of its technology becomes obvious to all through the race results.
It is common practice at Honda that the associates who have developed race engines and race cars demonstrate their abilities in the development of production models and then return to the development of racing models.
With few exceptions, Honda’s associates develop most of the top-category racing cars themselves. Of course it has the cooperation of its suppliers and partners, but Honda rarely outsources the entire development process to a third party or delegates it to others.
This is because it does not lead to the development of its people.
A Team Aiming for the Top
A Heritage of Following Dreams and Taking On Challenges
Honda’s racing history begins when the company entered the Isle of Man TT Races in 1959.
Honda has been taking on the world head-on and improving its technologies,
endeavoring to compete on the world’s top stages and taking on the presented challenges.
It won its first victory at the Isle of Man TT Races in 1961, and the challenge became a solid result.
Suzuka, 1962.
The Suzuka Circuit was established on the basis of Soichiro Honda’s belief that “cars will not improve without racing.”
It was commissioned to be more than a racing course.
It aimed to provide an environment that led to greater enjoyment of driving and greater awareness of driving skill and safety.
It was also designed to host international racing events and foster world-class personnel and products.
Guided by that vision, Honda furthered the values that it offered in the two-wheel and four-wheel domains.
In its four-wheel endeavors, Honda entered Formula One in 1964.
It became the first Japanese automaker to win an F1 race, winning the Mexico Grand Prix the following year in 1965.
Racing Service Center (RSC) was later established in 1973, and HRC, in 1982, to further Honda’s racing activities in a more specialized, sustained manner.
At present, Honda continues taking on challenges while using a team structure in which its two-wheel and four-wheel efforts are one.
In such ways, Honda’s motorsport history has been a series of challenges that always pave the way to tomorrow.
The Joy of Responsive Handling
HRC Models for Experiencing Motorsport-Born Knowledge and Technologies
The HRC models look beyond the specifications, which alone cannot express the true value of the HRC models.
It is particular about delivering the joy that becomes evident when driving.
Logic alone will not lead to victory in racing. Victory becomes possible only when the engineers’ analyses, the mechanics’ precision, the drivers’ feel, and the team become one.
That process is embodied in the HRC models.
The races that HRC contests can be broadly categorized into two main areas.
On-road races are one. In these, competitors compete for the top on race circuits.
In a world headlined by F1, SUPER GT, and SUPER FORMULA extreme speeds and precision are essential,
with the smallest of decisions influencing the outcome.
Off-road races are the other. In these, competitors must also overcome harsh natural challenges.
In off-road competitions, notably the Baja Races of North America,
the toughness and the reliability needed for forging ahead over changing terrain and through varying environments are severely tested.
While the stages may vary, what is common to both is the desire to forge people and technologies in extreme conditions.
The HRC models reflect the ideas and the approaches that were improved in the world of racing.
