Honda in shock move to IRL

Honda Performance Development general manager Robert Clarke said the basic agreement for Honda to join the IRL was completed in early February and is a key step for HPD to become as full-service engine design and manufacturing entity.

"There has been a lot of speculation and I'm surprised we kept it a secret for as long as we did," commented Clarke. "This is an exciting new chapter in Honda's racing history. Competing in the IRL, with its rules to intentionally limit the use of high cost technology and thus provide more parity in the racing field will give Honda a new competitive experience and the fans more exciting racing."

Clarke and other Honda executives have been highly critical of the IRL's highly restricted engine formula for the last five years, and he agreed that joining forces with Ilmor goes against the grain of Honda's corporate philosophy of independence.

"This is about developing HPD as a racing company and it needs a partner to do that," Clarke said. "Ilmor is a great engineering company with a stellar record and it's going to be good for both of us. We're convinced of that. It will also allow Honda to focus more of its resources in F1, and we'll be the first to admit that we're not getting the results we want or need there."

Since Ilmor is already an approved IRL engine builder, Honda was able to get around an IRL rule that would have required them to wait until the 2004 season to begin producing engines because they did not meet the IRL's April 1, 2002 deadline to announce a 2003 programme. The Honda/Ilmor engine will be manufactured in a brand new Ilmor facility in the USA.

"Honda's decision to produce an IRL engine further validates the growth, stability and strength of the League, and the addition of another engine manufacturer positions the series for even more growth," stated IRL founder Tony George.