: Honda Motorsports: the plans for 2007

Honda Motor Co., Ltd announced its 'Motorsports activities for 2007' at a ceremony in Tokyo on February 19th. The announcement featured the news that a fifth NSX-GT will join the GT500 ranks of Honda's assault on Japan's premier motorsport series, SUPER GT. The company's aim is to seal double titles in the category this season.

Following on from their successful collaboration last year, the No.8 ARTA and No.18 Takata Dome machines retain their familiar driver lineups; Ralph Firman and Daisuke Ito in the bright orange No.8 machine, with Ryo Michigami and Takashi Kogure continuing in the No.18 car. At Nakajima Racing, Hideki Mutoh has been replaced by Fabio Carbone as the Japanese moves to a U.S.-based program. The Brazilian ran in Japanese F3 last year, and joins sophmore Loic Duval in the No.32 EPSON NSX. Returning to the series after a year away, Dominik Schwager replaces Sebastien Philippe in the No.100 RAYBRIG NSX alongside Shinya Hosokawa, the German driver bringing both NSX and Supra experience to the squad.

As for the fifth NSX competing this year, it's a new team, RollingStone REAL Racing (No.17 REAL NSX). The drivers are 2001 German F3 champion Toshihiro Kaneishi, who piloted the No.8 ARTA NSX in 2003 and then the Hasemi Z in 2004-2005. He will drive alongside his cousin Katsutomo, who himself is an NSX specialist, having competed in the car from 1998-2002. Team Director of the new squad Mr. Hitoshi Iyoki commented: "Though we are a new team, our two drivers have considerable experience with the NSX. We hope to fight strongly in the NSX camp." The fact that both drivers have been part of the ARTA NSX project at one time or another, plus the fact that Iyoki was part of the original ARTA project make this a team worth watching, despite their being new to the series.

The five NSX cars will be developed by M-TEC and Dome, with support from Honda in the on-going 'Honda NSX-GT Project'. This season, the car features a further development of the 3.5-liter normally-aspirated V6 used last year, with a newly developed chassis, providing improved rigidity and aerodynamic performance.

At the recent pre-season test, development driver Ryo Michigami commented: "The regulations for this season allow us less downforce and this has caused the times to drop slightly. However, with the aerodynamics package, we feel there is enormous potential for the car." Driver Daisuke Ito opined: "The rigidity of the car is improved, and I believe this means it will suit the circuits better."

Posted on 01/04/07 By F.B