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Honda is getting into the business of selling, restoring, maintaining, and even helping you track some of its most iconic race cars from Le Mans, Sebring, and Daytona. As seen below, its offerings aren’t limited to production-based GT cars, but also include full-blown, purpose-built prototype race cars. The only way I could be happier about this is if I could actually buy one of them myself.
Honda Racing Corporation is putting up some serious hardware for sale, and although it did not disclose prices or how it would choose its clients, it did reveal the first car it’s putting up for sale, and revelaed some of its most recent restorations for private clients.
Honda
Making its on-sale debut at The Quail this Friday as part of the 2026 Monterey Car Week festivities, the Sebring-winning V8-powered #26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a will spearhead HRC’s new venture for a very special reason. This sweet-looking racer was Acura’s first purpose-built race car and also carries the first V8 designed and developed by HRC in the U.S. (HPD at the time). This chassis won the LMP2 class in its debut at the 2007 Sebring 12 Hours, driven by Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta, and Tony Kanaan.
Honda
“Classic race cars never die, their myth and aura just grow and the HRC Heritage Racing Program is all about keeping our incredible Honda and Acura race cars doing what they were born to do―race,” said David Salters, president of HRC US. “As the builder of these race-winning machines, and custodian of the original IP and knowledge, HRC is uniquely equipped to restore them to their original form, ensuring they can return to historic racing competition authentically and ready to be enjoyed by our customers and fans.”
Part of HRC US’s new business is also restoring old race cars, whether they’re owned by the company and fixed up as part of a sale or already owned by individuals. One of the examples of its restoration prowess is the ARX-01c shown above, which competed in the Le Mans LMP2 category with “Strakka Racing” and won its class in 2010. It’s a similar story for the Acura NSX GT3 Chassis No. 5 seen below, as well as the 2001 Reynard 01i raced in the CART 2001 season by Gil de Ferran for Team Penske, which has undergone a full refurbishment that I’m sure its current owner (Zak Brown) kept a close eye on.
Honda
It’s great to see Honda and Acura enter this business through HRC US. The creation of this new venture, led by HRC US president Dave Salters and senior vice president Jon Ikeda, has been several years in the making and a top priority for Honda’s leadership. Not only does it open up an important revenue stream for a brand that’s looking to grow in the burgeoning world of motorsport in North America, but it also allows fans to see some of the brand’s legendary race cars in action once more.
HRC is also venturing into the world of aftermarket performance parts, fashion, and consumables like motor oil.
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As deputy editor, Jerry draws on a decade of industry experience and a lifelong passion for motorsports to guide The Drive’s short- and long-term coverage.
