Honda to join WTCC

Fri, 03 Feb 07:03:00 2012

Honda will join the FIA WTCC "as early as this season" after announcing a partnership with Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport.

2009 Honda Logo - 0

At a press conference in Tokyo, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito said that they would enter their European Civic touring car into some inaugural rounds - ideally on the Asian leg of 2012 - once they complete development of a new engine with Mugen.

"We took the decision to enter in the WTCC with the European Civic," Ito said. "We will develop a totally new engine for this project and we are all excited about starting this new challenge."

In a statement, the Japanese motoring giant added that Mugen will manufacture a 1.6-litre turbo bespoke racing engine, developed by Honda R&D, and will maintain it at the races along with the team.

J.A.S. Motorsport will develop the race car, using the new Honda Civic 5-door produced in their Swindon plant.

Regarding their race debut, discussions are being held with the FIA with a view to enter in time for the Suzuka race on October 21, with China and Macau also lined up.

Honda will then enter a two-car team for the full 2013 season.

Olivier Fisch, MD of Eurosport Events, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Honda in WTCC. Their commitment is a great reward for the huge, joint effort the FIA and Eurosport Events have done all these years to make the championship growing and become popular worldwide.

"We wish Honda to be successful in this new racing programme."

Honda to join WTCC

Eurosport

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

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  1. So this time it's WTCC that Honda wants to bully­ eh? changing the displacement, changine this, changing­ that....so on!!

    From M, on Sun 5 Feb 4:04

  2. Anything with a HONDA in it will give all the other­ teams something to aim at, simply put the best 2 or 4­ wheeled vehicles made

    From L, on Sat 4 Feb 21:35

  3. Great news, hopefully if WTCC goes well F1 is next for­ Honda :)

    From DarrenG, on Sat 4 Feb 19:14

  4. At last some real competition for Chevrolet,that should­ be a wake up call for their has-been drivers

    From andyganley, on Sat 4 Feb 16:59

  5. Hopefully never.

    From Michael F, on Sat 4 Feb 15:44

  6. Jolly hockey sticks when will WTCC start mandating­ hybrid power trains ?

    From Felice Tedechi, on Sat 4 Feb 0:27
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