By SEMA News Editors
For enthusiasts who have dreamed of owning a genuine race car, Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) has opened a new avenue to make it happen.
The HRC Heritage Racing Program offers historic Honda and Acura race cars for purchase, along with factory-backed restoration, service and trackside support. The goal is to return significant race-winning machines to the track while preserving their original character.
The first car offered through the program is the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, a V8-powered endurance racer that won the LMP2 class at the 2007 12 Hours of Sebring in its debut race. Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan shared the winning drive.
The ARX-01a was the first purpose-built Acura endurance racer and the first car and engine designed and developed by HRC in the United States. It will be displayed at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, during Monterey Car Week.
Built to Race Again
HRC's approach goes beyond cosmetic restoration. Each car is completely disassembled and rebuilt using original homologation documents, engineering notes, photographs and technical data from HRC's archives.
New and reconditioned components are used throughout the rebuild, while select safety and electronic updates help make the cars more practical for modern historic racing. Engines are rebuilt at HRC US headquarters in Santa Clarita, California, and every completed car is track tested.
Owners also can receive HRC engineering and trackside support to help get their cars back into competition.
The program grew from several recent HRC restoration projects. Among them are four Acura ARX-05 DPi cars that have been restored for competition in IMSA's Historic SportsCar Racing Series. HRC also restored the 2010 Acura ARX-01c "Strakka Racing" Le Mans LMP2 winner and helped prepare a 2001 Reynard 01i raced by Gil de Ferran for Team Penske.
Another notable car currently available is Acura NSX GT3 Chassis No. 5. The "Lady Liberty" car is the winningest NSX GT3 ever, recording 38 class victories along with manufacturers', drivers' and teams' championships between 2017 and 2023.
HRC currently is concentrating on historic endurance racers, with plans to expand the Heritage Racing Program to additional Honda-powered IndyCar machines.
Get the complete details at HRC Heritage Racing.
