Honda Racing Corporation USA Takes a More Global Racing Approach, Including the Acura Program in the WeatherTech Championship
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) became official today, as the organization’s title replaces Honda Performance Development (HPD) to reflect the new role of the company in Honda’s global racing efforts.
With this change, HRC US will take on an increased role in Honda’s global motorsports activities, including the company’s Formula One power unit development program. Collaborating as one global entity, these two independent racing arms of Honda – HRC Japan and HRC US – will combine their unique expertise and resources to strengthen Honda’s overall motorsports capabilities.
HRC US oversees the Acura program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which has seen the brand take the overall win in the last three Rolex 24 At Daytona races and collect three manufacturer, team and driver championships in the series’ top prototype class since 2018. Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport will field two Acura ARX-06s in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class in 2024, with Gradient Racing entering an Acura NSX GT3 Evo in the GT Daytona (GTD) class.
HRC was established in Japan in 1982 as Honda’s motorcycle racing arm and has amassed more than 40 years of championship racing success in pinnacle global racing categories such as WGP/MotoGP, Superbike, Motocross, World Trial and the Paris Dakar rally. In 2022, HRC added auto racing including Honda’s F1 program to its responsibilities, with the Sakura Center dedicated for auto racing and Asaka Center focused on motorcycle racing.
HPD was established by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in 1993, as a separate racing arm to compete in Indy car racing. For 30 years, HPD has participated in various racing series including IndyCar, IMSA, Baja Off-Road, Touring Cars and Formula Regional America.
HRC’s auto racing development center in Japan currently supports Red Bull Powertrains and is a vital part of the team’s F1 victories. Starting in 2026, HRC will partner with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 team as its official engine supplier. With three F1 races now in the U.S., HRC US will be involved in Formula One power unit development and race support starting in 2026.
“The team and I here at HRC US are excited and humbled to embark on this next racing adventure,” said David Salters, president of HRC US. “Honda’s racing heritage is exceptional. I have just come back from Honda’s annual ‘Thanks Day’ activity at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit: Moto GP, Formula 1, IndyCar, Motocross, Dakar endurance, Trials, Touring Car, Super GT all being demonstrated at the highest level by a paddock full of world champions.
“Only Honda does this. We challenge ourselves and entertain our amazing Honda Racing fans across all pinnacle racing, two and four wheels. Add Honda’s cool car and bike culture, cutting-edge technology and superb vehicles to this and you can only feel immensely proud to be joining our companies and amazing people together to make one global racing organization, HRC Honda Racing. This really is the power of dreams, moreover we get to race our dreams.”
The Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan 27-28 will mark the inaugural race for the new HRC US, with the defending race-winning Acura ARX-06 prototypes now sporting HRC logos in the WeatherTech Championship.