Honda will stop supplying engines to CART after 2002 season
10-14-2001 | 06:32 PM
#1
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From: Roseville
Honda will stop supplying engines to CART after 2002 season
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011012/laf009_1.html
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
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
10-14-2001 | 06:48 PM
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From: Rome, GA
If CART set out to self immolate, they could not have doen a better job. Had it been I, deciding on an engine formula, I would have gone with the 1.8 turbo V8. High revs and a cool sound. In addition, and this goes often unmentioned, the turbo engines are MUCH quilter than the NA motors.
This is nothing short of complete disaster for CART. Look for your Penske / Gannansi types to dump CART and go IRL full time.
Great, just what we need, more oval racing.
This is nothing short of complete disaster for CART. Look for your Penske / Gannansi types to dump CART and go IRL full time.
Great, just what we need, more oval racing.
10-14-2001 | 08:45 PM
#4
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From: Mish-she-gan
You have to wonder what the hell is wrong with CART?
How can the best open-wheeled road-racing in the world throw it all in the crapper? Toyota left. Honda's leaving. And Ford is expected to join them with an announcement due out Tuesday. I even heard someone say Penske was planning on running IRL next year.
If you saw today's CA race, you have to love the candid response from Paul Tracy . . . "a clown could run things better!" Paul Page suggested the statement could cost him six figures. If it does, I for one will send him $10.
Now, when I watch these last great races - never sure which team and which engine will pull off the win, I keep telling myself to enjoy 'em cause these will go down in history as the good 'ole days. Damn shame.
At least Rahal has something to smile about today, since I'm sure he's still smarting from F1.
If the future in racing is "spec" racing, I say put 'em all in S2000. By the way, where was that yellow pace car from Germany?
How can the best open-wheeled road-racing in the world throw it all in the crapper? Toyota left. Honda's leaving. And Ford is expected to join them with an announcement due out Tuesday. I even heard someone say Penske was planning on running IRL next year.
If you saw today's CA race, you have to love the candid response from Paul Tracy . . . "a clown could run things better!" Paul Page suggested the statement could cost him six figures. If it does, I for one will send him $10.
Now, when I watch these last great races - never sure which team and which engine will pull off the win, I keep telling myself to enjoy 'em cause these will go down in history as the good 'ole days. Damn shame.
At least Rahal has something to smile about today, since I'm sure he's still smarting from F1.
If the future in racing is "spec" racing, I say put 'em all in S2000. By the way, where was that yellow pace car from Germany?
10-15-2001 | 04:55 AM
#6
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From: West Henrietta UPSTATE NY
CART is dead, and I'm not happy to write that!
As a non-fan of IRL (because I think racing in a circle inside a concrete wall is kind of lame) I'm so sad that we are all watching the demise of CART.
Like others have said, I can't believe they can do such a great job is destroying themselves.
I just wonder if CART should tuck its tail between its legs and rejoin with the IRL, but insist they run more than just ovals.
I have enjoyed CART for a long time and can't imagine America not having this series!
As a non-fan of IRL (because I think racing in a circle inside a concrete wall is kind of lame) I'm so sad that we are all watching the demise of CART.
Like others have said, I can't believe they can do such a great job is destroying themselves.
I just wonder if CART should tuck its tail between its legs and rejoin with the IRL, but insist they run more than just ovals.
I have enjoyed CART for a long time and can't imagine America not having this series!
10-15-2001 | 06:47 AM
#7
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Isn't Toyota joining F1 in 2003 as a factory team like Ferrari? In the meantime, if Honda does quit CART by 2003, please please spend some more time and resources on their F1. I don't want to be the only one wearing BAR baseball cap at the race forever ......
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10-15-2001 | 07:22 AM
#8
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From: West Henrietta UPSTATE NY
mstw- I'm with you!
CART seems to be the place to put your money, if you don't expect to get anything out of it. Formula One on the other hand is only going to get bigger and bigger in this country. This year F-1 at Indy was down on attendance but the events of 9/11/01 caused that, and yes I was there for the second year in a row!
When HONDA was a full factory F-1 team they were the team to beat. Now with just an engine package they seem to be struggling.
HONDA- I say drop CART and put your money into F-1
or
jump into the Sports Car Racing in the USA with a big factory effort of S2000s and show us what you guys can do!
CART seems to be the place to put your money, if you don't expect to get anything out of it. Formula One on the other hand is only going to get bigger and bigger in this country. This year F-1 at Indy was down on attendance but the events of 9/11/01 caused that, and yes I was there for the second year in a row!
When HONDA was a full factory F-1 team they were the team to beat. Now with just an engine package they seem to be struggling.
HONDA- I say drop CART and put your money into F-1
or
jump into the Sports Car Racing in the USA with a big factory effort of S2000s and show us what you guys can do!
10-15-2001 | 08:54 AM
#9
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 58,693
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From: La Crescenta, CA
I totally agree with all of you -- CART has taken leave of its senses. You could tell that those two CART officials who said on ESPN yesterday that CART just can't be trusted, were deadly serious. Hats off to Paul Tracy for his comments about clowns doing a better job. Turbos are CART's signature and have been since long before CART existed. Do you think race fans in Britain and Germany are going to pay to see second rate, normally aspirated F1 clones? CART should admit they screwed up, retract the rules change, and beg Honda to stay.
To paraphrase Ross Perot, that great sucking sound you hear is CART sucking up th Tony George (the AntiChrist of motor racing). I'm really depressed!
To paraphrase Ross Perot, that great sucking sound you hear is CART sucking up th Tony George (the AntiChrist of motor racing). I'm really depressed!
10-15-2001 | 01:54 PM
#10
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From: Torrance
Yeah, CART is definitely dead. Guess I'm going to be a LOT more interested in F1 now. I hope Honda comes back with a vengeance in that series. They really need to devote more of their engineering to F1 anyway.