Race cars that need a second youth
Race cars always inspire admiration, but over the years they become less and less practical. Spare parts are increasingly hard to find, electronics often require specialist intervention, and the people who built these cars and knew every nuance eventually move on to other things. That is why Honda decided to launch a new program: now you can buy a genuine classic race car, and the company will help keep it in fighting shape and on the track.
The first car — Acura ARX-01a
The new program, called the Heritage Racing Program, has become part of Honda Racing Corp. The first lot for wealthy buyers will be the Acura ARX-01a with number 26. This is not a replica or a stylization, but a real prototype. It is the first purpose-built Acura race car for endurance racing, and in its debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2007 it won the LMP2 class. Behind the wheel at that time were Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta, and Tony Kanaan.
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Announcement in Monterey
HRC officially announced the program during Monterey Car Week. The car will appear at The Quail exhibition on August 14 and will also be present at Laguna Seca. But this is not just a sale of used race cars. HRC will completely disassemble each car, check it against the original homologation documents, technical notes, and archival photographs, and then restore the car using new or repaired parts.
Full restoration cycle and support
Engines will be rebuilt at HRC’s headquarters in Santa Clarita, and the electronics and some safety materials will be updated to meet modern requirements. HRC promises to conduct track testing of every restored car, and the company’s engineers will be available for support directly at the track. In other words, the buyer gets not just a car, but access to the people who built it. During restoration, certain options can be selected, and the confidence that the car can safely do real work on the track will be part of the deal.
Prices and prospects
The cost of the Acura ARX-01a has not yet been announced, which is quite expected. In addition, HRC has already restored four ARX-05 DPi prototypes and is also offering an NSX GT3 chassis that, according to the company, is currently for sale. This car earned 38 class victories in IMSA and SRO competitions, so it is another way to spend a considerable amount of money.
It is expected that historic IndyCar cars with Honda engines will be added to the program in the future. And that, in fact, is the point. Anyone with a sufficient budget can buy an old race car. Honda, however, is betting that buyers will prefer a car that comes with factory support and a connection to the manufacturer.
Why this matters
This approach could change perceptions of the classic race car market. Usually, owners of old prototypes have to look for independent specialists or rely on their own knowledge. Now Honda offers a systemic solution: restoration, testing, spare parts, and engineering support from the official manufacturer. This not only gives buyers confidence, but also increases the value of the cars themselves, because proven authenticity and a documented factory history become important arguments for collectors. If the program proves successful, other automakers may follow the same path, turning their own racing archives into a living business of supporting legends.
Photo: Honda