ZF, Honda form technical partnership

ERJ staff report (TP)

Friedrichshafen, Germany / Santa Clarita, California – Automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Honda Performance Development (HPD) announced a technical partnership on 28 May that will see HPD implement ZF’s clutch and shock absorber technology in a variety of North American racing series where HPD is active.

The two companies will also work together to investigate other potential “performance-enhancing” technology, utilising their respective engineering and R&D “strengths”.

HPD was founded in 1993 as the performance arm of American Honda Motor Company, to spearhead the company’s entry into IndyCar racing. In IndyCar racing, Honda has enjoyed 207 race victories, 15 drivers’ championships, six manufacturers’ championships and nine consecutive Indianapolis 500 victories (2004-2012).

HPD’s prototype racing efforts have scored more than 70 victories and multiple American Le Mans Series engine, chassis, team, and drivers’ championships. The company’s sports-car racing debut in 2007 at the 12 Hours of Sebring marked the first win for HPD’s LM-V8 engine and the first for a Honda racing engine designed and developed outside of Japan.

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Press release from ZF