Torrance, CA: As a further extension of its growing commitment to grassroots racing in North America, Honda announced today that it is making a major commitment to the 2013 running of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, as both a sponsor and race participant, with plans to field products in nine race classes, a first for any OEM in a single Pikes Peak event.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. will serve as the Partnering Sponsor for the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the first time the company has participated as a corporate sponsor of the legendary race event. The 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is scheduled for June 30, 2013 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Pikes Peak presents us with a unique opportunity to showcase Honda’s diverse product lineup and to energize Honda fans around world, as we work to further strengthen Honda’s presence in racing at all levels,” said Mike Accavitti, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations for American Honda. “Our associates will be working hard between now and Race Day to prepare this diverse field of race vehicles and showcase the Honda racing spirit.”

With support from Honda’s North American R&D and motorsports companies – Honda R&D Americas, Inc. and Honda Performance Development, Inc. – the company will campaign a broad range of Honda and Acura vehicles, as well as Honda motorcycles and ATVs. Honda will showcase its diverse range of fun-to-drive/ride products and will field 10 products in nine race classes, the most ever for a single race participant.

Along with Honda IndyCar team Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports pilot Simon Pagenaud, the vehicles will be developed and piloted by Honda’s North American associates, under the banners of Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Team-Honda Research (THR). Pagenaud’s Pikes Peak vehicle entry and racing class will be announced at a later date.

Honda 2013 Pikes Peak entries:

Car:

Pikes Peak Open
Acura NSX (1st gen. NSX)
James Robinson
Honda R&D

Time Attack
Acura TL SH-AWD
Brian Shanfeld
Honda R&D

Exhibition
Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe
Sage Marie
Honda North America

EV
Honda Fit EV
Roy Richards
Honda R&D

Motorcycle:

250
Honda CRF250R
Nick Robinson
Honda R&D

250
Honda CRF250R
Dane Marsack
Honda R&D

450
Honda CRF450R
Jeff Tigert
American Honda

Exhibition
Honda CBR1000RR
Alex Moreno
Honda R&D

750SS
Honda CBR600RR
Erik Dunshee
Honda R&D

ATV:

450 ATV
Honda TRX450
Keith Steidl
Honda R&D

As a further extension of Honda’s sponsorship effort, Honda Power Equipment will be supporting race operations, with Honda generators providing electricity and light to the pits and staging area.

Honda has competed in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on a less ambitious scale in the recent past. In 2011, Honda campaigned a Fit hatchback that was built and piloted by Honda engineers from North America. In 2012, the company fielded an Acura NSX powered by an ALMS P2 twin-turbo V-6 engine supplied by Honda Performance Development (HPD), and outfitted with an ex-Le Mans body and wide body kit, with support from members of the Ohio-based Honda of America Race Team (HART). Prior to that, Honda set records in the EV class in 1994 and 1999 with the Honda EV Plus. This year also marks the return of advanced Honda EV technology to America’s second-oldest race, in the form of a 2013 Honda Fit EV.