Looks like Honda is back in open wheel racing.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/motorspor...3/honda_irl_ap/

 

This probably belongs in OT, but IMO this is not good news. Honda has been treated pretty poorly by the previous CART administration, but they have gone against their repeated statements that they are not interested in a "low-tech" formula. I'm so disappointed by their decision.

 

Honda does not need to become involved in the IRL when their F1 program is failing. Honda needs to recover from this miserable year in F1 before they pursue other racing venues.

This does belong in OT though.

Just my $0.02.

 

Actually here is the catch with this.

The IRL motor will be developed by Ilmor Engineering and HPD (Honda Performance Development). HPD had previously only assembled the CART engines when the came from Japan and performed rebuilds and maintenance. This venture is not a project of Honda in Japan, as the CART engines were, and I would guess will not be as sucessful.

Kind of surprises me Penske wont be using these engines as I think he has money invested in Ilmor...

 

He does own part of Ilmor, but he also owns the largest Toyota dealership in the country, so I guess he could have gone either way. Mercedes also owns part of Ilmor and they build the Mercedes F1 engine, so it does seem odd that they would team up with Honda.

In any event, this will likely be the end of CART, which is sad. I hate the IRL!