Honda Racing Corporation USA

Honda Racing Corporation USA, historically known as Honda Performance Development or HPD, is Honda's North American motorsport engineering and technical operations organization. It operates as a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co. and is headquartered in Santa Clarita, California. The organization develops, prepares, and supports racing engines, chassis, and related technical systems for Honda and Acura competition programs. Established in 1993, the organization first became prominent as Honda's works engine partner in the CART IndyCar World Series. Its early IndyCar program produced a podium in 1994 and its first victory in 1995. By 1996, Honda had secured both the manufacturers' and drivers' championships, beginning a period of sustained competitiveness. The organization subsequently supported six consecutive drivers' championships from 1996 through 2001 and multiple manufacturers' titles. HPD moved into the IRL IndyCar Series in 2003. Its 2004 campaign was particularly dominant, with 14 victories in 16 races, including the Indianapolis 500, alongside both championship titles. The following year brought another Indianapolis 500 win, 12 race victories, and another sweep of the drivers' and manufacturers' championships. From 2006 through 2011, HPD was the series' sole engine supplier. During that period, its engines achieved an extended record of reliability at the Indianapolis 500 and completed several full seasons without a race failure. The organization also developed a substantial sports-car racing business. Through Acura, Honda announced a Le Mans Prototype program for the American Le Mans Series in 2006. The resulting Acura ARX-01 used a Courage-derived chassis and a purpose-developed 3.4-liter V8, becoming the first V8 marketed under the Acura name and the first Honda racing engine built entirely outside Japan. The prototype family later expanded through the ARX-02, ARX-03, ARX-04b, and ARX-05 programs. In 2010, the sports-car operation adopted the HPD name instead of Acura for its prototype activities. HPD supplied engines and technical expertise to customer and works-related programs across the American Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the IMSA SportsCar Championship, and other categories. In 2012, it emphasized its role as a chassis and engine supplier rather than maintaining a conventional works team, while also returning to the top prototype class in endurance racing. It left the Daytona Prototype class in 2017 as Acura's NSX program competed with HPD technical support, then returned to IMSA's prototype category in 2018 with the ARX-05. In IndyCar, HPD developed turbocharged V6 engines after manufacturer competition returned in 2012. Its later record included Indianapolis 500 victories in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2025, as well as drivers' championships in 2013, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. In September 2023, Honda announced the organization's renaming as Honda Racing Corporation USA, aligning it more closely with Honda Racing Corporation and a broader effort to combine motorsport capabilities. The entity therefore represents the continuation of HPD's North American technical and competition activities under the HRC US identity.

Honda Performance Development was established in 1993 in Santa Clarita, California, as Honda's North American racing development organization. Its initial major assignment was IndyCar engine development. HPD entered the CART IndyCar World Series as a works engine manufacturer in 1994, achieved a podium during its first season, and recorded its first victory in 1995. In 1996, it won both the manufacturers' and drivers' championships. The organization then sustained a long run of success, including drivers' titles from 1996 through 2001 and additional manufacturers' championships in 1998, 1999, and 2001. HPD transferred its IndyCar effort to the IRL IndyCar Series in 2003. The 2004 season was one of its strongest, with 14 wins in 16 races, an Indianapolis 500 victory, and both major championships. In 2005 it won the Indianapolis 500 again, secured 12 race victories, and repeated its drivers' and manufacturers' championship sweep. From 2006 to 2011, HPD was the sole engine manufacturer in the series. Its powertrains established a notable reliability record, including six consecutive Indianapolis 500s without an engine failure and complete seasons without race failures in 2008, 2010, and 2011. The organization expanded into sports-car racing through Acura. In 2006, Honda announced an Acura Le Mans Prototype program for the American Le Mans Series. The first car, the Acura ARX-01a, combined a Courage-derived chassis with a new 3.4-liter V8 developed by HPD. The engine was the first V8 to carry the Acura name and the first Honda racing engine built entirely outside Japan. The prototype range subsequently included the ARX-02, ARX-03, ARX-04b, and ARX-05. In 2010, Honda discontinued the Acura identity for the prototype operation and adopted the HPD name. HPD supplied technology and support in the American Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship, and IMSA SportsCar Championship. In 2007 it also supplied engines for Vemac GT300 cars in Japan's Super GT series. For 2012, HPD concentrated on supplying engines and chassis to racing partners, while re-entering the LMP1 category in Le Mans and FIA World Endurance Championship competition. The company left the Daytona Prototype class in 2017 as the Acura NSX raced in IMSA and Pirelli World Challenge with HPD technical assistance. It returned to the IMSA prototype category in 2018 with the Acura ARX-05. HPD's IndyCar program resumed manufacturer competition with turbocharged V6 engines after 2012. Its later achievements included Indianapolis 500 wins in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2025. It also supported drivers' championship-winning campaigns in 2013, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, along with manufacturers' championships in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025. In September 2023, the company was renamed Honda Racing Corporation USA. The change was presented as a way to strengthen collaboration with Honda Racing Corporation and bring Honda's motorsport capabilities into closer coordination. HRC US is consequently the successor identity to HPD's North American racing engineering and technical-support activities.

1. 2023Renamed Honda Racing Corporation USA

   HPD adopted the HRC US identity to support closer collaboration with Honda Racing Corporation.

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2. 2018ARX-05 enters IMSA prototype competition

   HPD returned to IMSA prototype racing with the ARX-05 and Acura technical program.

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3. 2012Return to premier endurance prototype competition

   HPD returned to the LMP1 class and emphasized chassis and engine supply.

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4. 2010Prototype program adopts the HPD name

   Honda replaced the Acura identity on its prototype operation with the HPD name.

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5. 2006Acura prototype program announced

   Honda announced an Acura-branded Le Mans Prototype program for the American Le Mans Series.

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6. 2004IndyCar championship sweep

   HPD won 14 of 16 races, the Indianapolis 500, and both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles.

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7. 1996First IndyCar manufacturers' and drivers' championships

   HPD won both major CART championships after taking 11 victories in 16 races.

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8. 1994CART IndyCar debut

   HPD entered CART as a works engine manufacturer and achieved a podium in its first season.

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9. 1993Honda Performance Development established

   Honda established its North American motorsport engineering organization in Santa Clarita, California.

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A factory-backed motorsport engineering and technical partner focused on high-performance racing powertrains, prototype chassis, competition development, and customer support.

• IndyCar racing enginesRacing powertrain1994

  HPD developed Honda competition engines for CART and IndyCar, progressing from naturally aspirated designs to turbocharged V6 powertrains after manufacturer competition returned in 2012. These engines powered Honda's North American open-wheel campaigns and supported numerous race wins, Indianapolis 500 victories, and championship programs.

• Acura ARX-01Le Mans Prototype2007

  The ARX-01 was HPD's first major Acura prototype. Introduced for the 2007 American Le Mans Series, it used a Courage-derived chassis and a 3.4-liter V8 engineered by HPD. The program marked Honda's expansion from open-wheel engine supply into prototype sports-car development.

• ARX prototype familyEndurance racing chassis2007

  The ARX family includes the ARX-01, ARX-02, ARX-03, ARX-04b, ARX-05, and related development programs. These prototypes supported Honda and Acura participation in American endurance racing and other international sports-car categories, combining HPD chassis engineering with Honda-developed racing engines and customer support.

• Acura ARX-05IMSA prototype2018

  The ARX-05 was developed for IMSA prototype competition and represented HPD's return to the category in 2018 after the organization had stepped away from Daytona Prototype racing. It formed part of Acura's North American sports-car program and received technical support from HPD.

• Competition parts and technical supportMotorsport engineering services1993

  HRC US provides race-engineering expertise, competition components, chassis development, powertrain support, and technical assistance to Honda and Acura racing programs and their partners. Its work spans open-wheel, prototype, GT, and endurance-racing applications rather than conventional consumer automotive products.

• 2023Renaming as Honda Racing Corporation USAStrategy

  Honda and Honda Racing Corporation sought closer coordination among their motorsport capabilities.

  What changed. Honda Performance Development was renamed Honda Racing Corporation USA.

  Aftermath. The organization continued its North American technical role under the HRC US identity.

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• 2012Focus on customer chassis and engine supplyStrategy

  HPD was active across multiple prototype and endurance-racing categories.

  What changed. The organization chose to forgo a dedicated works team and concentrate on supplying chassis and engines, while returning to LMP1 competition.

  Aftermath. HPD expanded its role as a technical partner across endurance-racing programs.

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• 2010Prototype operation shifts from Acura branding to HPDStrategy

  Honda's prototype sports-car activities had initially been presented under the Acura name.

  What changed. The prototype cars and operation adopted the HPD identity.

  Aftermath. The change positioned HPD as Honda's identifiable North American sports-car engineering provider.

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• 2023Honda Performance Development renamed Honda Racing Corporation USA

  Honda announced the renaming of HPD as Honda Racing Corporation USA as part of a closer alignment and collaboration with Honda Racing Corporation.

  Leadership change
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• 2018HPD returns to the IMSA prototype category with the ARX-05

  After leaving the Daytona Prototype class in 2017, HPD returned to IMSA prototype competition with the ARX-05 and technical support for Acura's program.

  Product launch
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• 2012HPD changes focus toward chassis and engine supply

  HPD chose to emphasize its role as a chassis and engine provider rather than operate a conventional works team, while returning to the premier prototype class in endurance racing.

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1. Honda Racing Corporation USA