NSX to debut at Pikes Peak

Honda will give the production version of its NSX supercar-wannabe its first competition event later this month. Two Acura-badged NSXs will take on the mighty 14,000-foot plus Pikes Peak in the 100th running of the iconic hillclimb event.

The production NSXs will compete in the Time Attack 1 and 2 classes and will be piloted by brothers James and Nick Robinson, respectively. Both Robinsons work for the company in its North American engineering team.

Modifications to the NSX competing in the Time Attack 1 class included chassis lightening and "a custom high-flow racing exhaust". The NSX competing in the Time Attack 2 class is a production car. Only the required safety equipment for competition has been added.

The production-based cars will be joined by a "new NSX-inspired" all-electric concept which will compete in the Electric Modified Class. Says Honda, it will feature "a further evolution of the experimental all-electric, four-motor Super Handling All-Wheel Drive [SH-AWD] powertrain that won last year's Pikes Peak Challenge Exhibition class".

"We are excited to test the endurance and engineering of the Acura NSX and our advanced powertrain technologies – as well as an expression of our racing spirit," said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager of the Acura Division in North America.

"Pikes Peak is like no other race in the world and offers a unique opportunity to showcase the power and performance of our products," he stated.

Both Robinson brothers have Pikes Peak form. Powertrain developer, James, drove a first-generation NSX in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb from 2012 to 2015. Brother Nick is the engineer in charge of the new NSX's dynamic performance and is also the reigning PP250 winner from the 2015 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

The EV NSX will be driven by Tetsuya Yamano, who last year piloted Honda's CR-Z-based electric prototype at Pikes Peak. The new EV produces three times the total system output of last year's CR-Z!

The Pikes Peak hillclimb is claimed to be the "second oldest motor sports race in America". This year marks the 100th Anniversary and 94th running of the "Race to the Clouds", which was first run in 1916.

Although not Acura or even Honda mounted, there are a number of Aussie connections at the upcoming 100th Anniversary Pikes Peak running.

Multi-discipline competitor and Aussie/NZ racing identity Tony Quinn will run a 700kW MARC Focus-based racer at the US event for the first time. Also long-time Pikes Peak competitor, US-based Aussie Jeff Denmeade will drive a Lancer EVO, while motorcycle journalist, Rennie Scaysbrook, will ride a KTM Super Duke in one of the motorcycle divisions.