Defending Champion Ready For WERC Series Challenge

For most, summer means vacations and frivolity, but defending champion Team Honda Research – West (THR-W) is using the summer break from the National Auto Sport Association's Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) series to test and develop their twin Acura RSX's in preparation for the upcoming races at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma and Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California. Despite a trying season in which the team has suffered from a series of unusual reliability problems, THR-W has persevered and is in second place in the season standings - close enough to challenge for the lead in the upcoming races. Building on the momentum from a strong finish at the Six Hours of Buttonwillow Presented by AEM, the team plans to implement several development programs designed to increase overall speed, consistency and efficiency. The team is looking forward to upcoming testing at Honda Proving Center California, the challenge ahead in the upcoming WERC series races and the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December.

In addition to on track activities, THR-W is pleased to inform supporters of a unique pictorial history of the team being developed and available for viewing on Flickr.com. The site is available for public viewing (individual photographs can be made available by special arrangement) and contains both archival and current photographs of the team.

THR-W is the officially sanctioned employee road racing team of Honda R&D Los Angeles - comprised entirely of Honda associates who strive to exhibit in themselves and their vehicles the challenging spirit first demonstrated by company founder Soichiro Honda. The team is an expression of the challenging spirit that exists within Honda – a racing spirit that is a fundamental part of the company's DNA. Operating under the mantra, "We develop what we race, and race what we develop," the team strives to translate lessons learned on the track into new vehicle development as part of the "fun-to-drive" character found in Honda products. The fact that Honda associates are themselves enthusiasts and racers is an indication that they have the interests of enthusiasts in mind when they bring new vehicles to market. THR-W was co-founded in 1996 by Honda R&D engineer Matt Staal and has competed in regional and national events for more than twelve years.

Team Honda Research-West is proud to represent, test and use products from the following companies: Honda Research & Development Americas, Inc., American Honda, Toyo Tires, The Westside Group, H&R Springs, Brembo Sport, Baja Designs, Inc., AEM, Traqmate data acquisition systems, Hondata, APR, Exedy, Recaro, Red Line Oil, Tyga-Box Inc., HMS Motorsport, Schroth Racing safety harnesses, Goodridge, ASR, Porterfield, King Motorsports, and Aquapel Glass Treatment by PPG Industries.