Honda's Heritage Program Puts Its Race Winners Back on Track
Honda's new HRC Heritage Racing Program is restoring and selling its historic race cars, starting with a Sebring-winning Acura prototype.
Heritage Program Launched
Honda has announced the HRC Heritage Racing Program, which will sell, restore, and provide trackside support for historic Honda and Acura race cars that have won at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona, and Laguna Seca. The program is based at HRC US headquarters in Santa Clarita, California, where each car is completely torn down and rebuilt. HRC President David Salters said the program is about keeping these cars doing what they were born to do—race.
First Car: 2007 Sebring Winner
The first chassis available is the #26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, which won the LMP2 class at the 2007 Sebring 12 Hours in its debut race, driven by Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta, and Tony Kanaan. Honda says it was the first purpose-built Acura endurance racer and the first car and engine designed and developed by HRC in the U.S. It was shown at the Quail during Monterey Car Week.
Authentic Restorations with Modern Updates
HRC says restorations use original homologation documents, notes, and photographs from the original engineers, along with extensive technical archives. Engines are rebuilt and electronics are modernized, with some updated materials for safety. Each car is track-tested after restoration, and HRC engineers are available for track support and competition assistance. Commercial Manager John Whiteman said the approach maintains authenticity while adding modifications for safety and user-friendliness.
HRC Heritage Program's First Offering
The first car available for purchase and restoration is the Sebring-winning V8-powered #26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, announced at Monterey. It will be shown at the HRC display at the Quail on Friday.
Already Restored: Acura ARX-05 DPi
HRC has already restored four Acura ARX-05 DPi endurance racers that competed in IMSA's Historic SportsCar Racing Series, including a 2019 Acura Team Penske car displayed at Laguna Seca this weekend. These restorations follow the same process of teardown, rebuild, and track testing, with modernized electronics and updated safety materials.
Gil de Ferran's 2001 CART Car
HRC completed refurbishment of the 2001 Reynard 01i raced by the late Gil de Ferran for Team Penske in the 2001 CART championship, providing a period-correct Honda engine, supporting engine fire-up, and inspecting key electronic components. The car's current owner is Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing and a longtime friend of de Ferran. Brown will turn laps at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
No Prices Announced
Honda did not disclose prices for purchasing or restoring any of the cars. The program targets buyers with significant resources; as the original Autoweek piece put it, don't ask, just send a blank check.