The Honda NSX will bow out of competing in the top class of the Japanese Super GT championship after 13 years, the company has confirmed.
Although the NSX was only produced from 1990-2005, Honda continued to race it in the series because of its popularity with Japanese fans. Drivers have included Ulsterman Richard Lyons and English/Irish driver Ralph Firman.
Hi-res Honda NSX-GT pictures - a selection of the best racing liveries
The race car has a chassis tuned by the renowned Dome race team and a reworked engine tuned by Mugen. The 3.5-litre V6 engine produces around 500bhp, up from 270bhp in the road car's 3.0-litre unit, and is mounted longitudinally instead of transversely.
During its time racing in the series - Japan's top class for GT cars - the NSX-GT has won the driver and team championships, in 2000 and 2007. The car has also sat on pole 49 times and won 36 races.
The NSX-GT has effectively been forced out of the championship, as 2010 regulations demand that all GT500 cars must be front-engined and rear-wheel drive
Honda says it will announce a replacement car for the series in due course, but has not confirmed what this will be. Reports suggest a reworked front-engined version of the NSX or a modified Super 2000 car could be used, although neither would have any direct marketing value.
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Re: Honda NSX racer bows out
I quite like the fact that the NSX had such a long "innings". It has created a real cult car and that might be half the problem. Honda will not be able to produce anything close to it. They should look at the niche between the GT-R and the L-FA!
Re: Honda NSX racer bows out
I dont understand how Honda can ignore the respect the NSX has brought the Japanese company.
I understand that the present economic conditions would not dictate a super car but there is nothing in their line up that creates any excitement to the Honda badge.