Honda to Discontinue Role As Engine Supplier for CART After 2002 Season
MONTEREY, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda Performance Development announced today that it will no longer participate in the CART racing series after the 2002 season.
The adoption of a new, normally aspirated 3.5-liter engine formula for 2003 by CART forces Honda to discontinue its participation in the open wheel series after the 2002 season. ``This decision is a great disappointment to Honda as we have informed CART from the beginning of the process that it is impossible to supply a new engine conforming to their proposed specifications prior to the 2004 season,'' said Tom Elliott, President, Honda Performance Development.

``Over the past months CART has implemented engine rules changes that run counter to long established regulations that govern engine rules stability. These actions are a clear indication that Honda can no longer put its trust in the CART rule book or those who administer it.''

It takes Honda two years to design, test, and develop an all-new racing engine. This two-year timetable is in accordance with CART rules and regulations. It is impossible for Honda to continue to develop and produce the current turbo-charged engine for the '02 season and at the same time, divert the resources needed to develop an all new 3.5-liter, normally aspirated engine, in the timetable CART has adopted. It is even more problematic since the technical specifications of the new engine will not be known until 30 - 60 days from now.

``Honda invests tremendous amounts of time, money and resources in its racing programs; confidence is an integral part of this long-term commitment and Honda cannot work in an environment where the sanctioning body has such little regard for its engine manufacturers,'' Elliott said.

Honda's teams and drivers have contributed much to Honda's racing legacy. Honda will support these teams with the most competitive engine possible for the 2002 season. Honda will continue to be singularly focused on adding to its tally of Championships.

Since joining CART in 1994, Honda has won 60 races and 60 poles in 143 races. Honda has also won five consecutive drivers championships and three manufacturers championships, the most of any company since the inception of the engine championship.

SOURCE: Honda Performance Development

 

No, you mean:



This means they'll concentrate on building engines for the REAL race cars ..... F1!!!

 

They won't be successful in F1 until they dump one of the teams they are currently supplying. My guess is after next year BAR will be dropped - then we should see some real Honda magic...

 

I think Toyota has something to do with the new engine rules being implemented so soon......

Honda leaving

Politics in motorsport

 

Yep, that's why Eddie Jordan has signed Honda Protege Takuma Sato to drive for the team next year. I think it's almost a done deal that after 2002, Honda will solely support Jordan. But still, F1 is so much more competitive than any other form of motorsports. With established super powers like Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW, and Renault coming on strong next year, Honda have their work cut out form them.

But they have been very successful in the past (80s and early 90s), so I have no doubt they'll rise to the top again.

 

Yes, Jordan is going to get all Honda backing next year. Saw it on T.V. the other night. I still wish that Honda would stay in CART, that series used to be the best...it really is going to *&^% as of late.

 

F1 will always be my favorite. Watching the Pace car come out after a measly little crash in CART bores me.

I mean, it's pure bullshit to build up a 10+ second lead, just to have a pace car come out after an accident and totally negate any lead you just built up.
Plus, it's boring with all the stoppages that occur.

At least when there's a crash in F1, 90% of the time the race continues like nothing happened (which is the way it should be).

Plus, hearing engines revving to 18,000 rpm is a hell of a lot cooler!

 

Amen to that.

 

Turbocharged hondas are kinda silly anyway, since there's not a single turbo honda that makes it to the showroom floor...ironic that they pull out of a switch from turbo TO N/A, but i guess they've been kidna pissed at how wishy-washy CART has been of late...i've only heard a few things, i really know jack squat about CART. Actually, i'm not even sure if CART is an oval or a road course series, how pathetic is that? but I agree, honda should stick to the creme (F1) and go all out and starting taking wins back from the germans and italians

Although that ferrari F1 engine sure does sound heavenly....

 

Honda is good at making small displacement turbo motors, real good. Part of the "failure" (so far) of Honda in F1 lies in the fact that it doesnt have much experience with 'large" n/a motors. Honda dominated the 1.5turbo era.