Exciting news in the racing world... Honda will be entering an all new racer in the World Touring Car Championship based on the 2012 European Civic.
Honda CEO, Takanobu Ito, announced "We have made a decision to enter into the WTCC with the European Civic. We will develop a totally new engine for this project and we are all excited about starting this new challenge.'
Honda has partnered up wîth Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport for the project. Honda R&D is developing the bespoke 1.6 litre 4 cylinder direct injection turbo-charged gasoline engine, in accordance wîth FIA's Super 2000 regulations. Mugen will build and maintain it, while J.A.S. Motorsport will develop the race car, using the new Honda Civic 5 door produced in Swindon, UK.
Honda will join the WTCC this season, including a handful of 'inaugural rounds'. These races will include Japan, followed by China and Macau. Honda will then enter a two car team, managed by J.A.S. Motorsport, into every race in the 2013 championship season.
Testing begun in Early August in Italy to collect data and further develop the car in preparation for the 2013 season. The aero package has shown the lowest coefficient of drag of any c-sector 5 door hatchback in the series.
Alessandro Mariani, Team Principal of Honda Racing Team JAS said:
"To see the finished Civic finally on the race track is an extremely emotional moment for the whole team. I am so proud of everyone involved. They have managed to accomplish so much in such a short period of time. Everyone has been working tirelessly for this day to happen and the new car and engine are no less than our expectations.
The initial track testing has already provided us with a lot of feedback and data, but the road to Suzuka in October remains a long one. This isn't the end. It's just the beginning. From here we will make ourselves even busier."
Gabriele Tarquini, Honda's 2012 development driver said:
"Although I'd never driven the new Civic before, funnily, when I sat in the seat for the first time I immediately felt I was in a Honda. The body work is precise and the engine feels great. But this is just the first track test, so there is so much more for us to work on.
The car looks beautiful too and will, I'm sure, wow all the WTCC fans around the world when it makes its debut in Suzuka later this year."
We at SoHonda Garage are very anxious to see how the new Civic will fair in it's debut race. We can only hope it will be as successful and exciting as Honda Racing's BTCC efforts!
