BAR Honda Aims for 1000 Horsepower

29th July 2005

BAR Honda Aims for 1000 Horsepower

posted in Formula One |

I’m not sure what to make of this, but it’s interesting none the less.

Honda intend to give F1’s V10 formula a rousing farewell in China by aiming to break the 1000hp barrier with a one-off engine. ”It’s possible,” the Japanese marque’s Otmar Szafnauer told Autosport magazine. With the power boost, Honda - co-owner of Jenson Button’s BAR team - hopes to fulfil the seemingly impossible pre-season team objective; to aim for ‘race wins’ in season ‘05. F1 will revert to 2.4 litre V8s next year.

I could say something snarky… well no, I will say it.

It appears as though Honda wants to close out the season with a “bang.” That’s bang as in the large bang heard when piston meets valve face or when a crankshaft slips it’s moorings and smacks the tarmac!

Now that I have satisfied the little smart assed fellow that resides on my left shoulder, here’s the deal. Of the following choices which is the most likely to occur. All selections relate to when the first BAR Honda engine explosion occurs.

As Jenson Button hits the blend line exiting the pits during the first practice session.
Race morning. At the very moment Button leaves the Shanghai Dazhong Merrylin Hotel the last Honda V10 shudders in disbelief at the possibility of facing the Shanghai circuit in anger. When Button arrives in the paddock he finds his Honda’s life blood drained out onto the floor and it’s shifting paddles locked in the neutral position. The T-car is missing and has been reported to authorities as a possible run away.
Race day. As Takuma Sato exits the 2^nd gear turn 6, and in the split second between 3^rd and 4^th gear the V10 coughs, sputters and a piston is seen rocketing towards the stratosphere. NORAD issues an alert and the US President orders DEFCON 1.
All of the above.

Bonus question for extra credit. At what distance will Sato’s piston land from turn 6?

In the BAR Honda garage, under a tool box still red hot and smoking.
Buried in the gravel outside turn 10.
Oxford, England. On the grass outside the home of Nick Fry, BAR Honda Chief Executive Officer

There you are ladies and gents. Make your choices and place your bets!

This entry was posted on Friday, July 29th, 2005 at 11:02 pm and is filed under Formula One. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On July 29th, 2005, George said:#

Two observations:

1. Wouldn’t it be grand if Jenson WON the last race of the year assuming the engine can hold together, only to have to go to Williams NEXT year? And wallow in more mediocrity!? Convincing argument as to the existence of a racing god.
2. Relative to grenading engines, aren’t the chinese credited with inventing fireworks? Fitting tribute, I say!!

posted on July 29th, 2005 at 11:48 pm

2 On July 30th, 2005, Laura said:#

I’m not an open-wheel fan, but this post is hilarious! My selections would be All of the above as to when the engine will explode, and for the bonus question I’ll go with A - In the BAR Honda garage, under a toolbox still red-hot and smokin’! LOL!

posted on July 30th, 2005 at 3:06 am

3 On July 30th, 2005, Marc said:#

Thanks Laura, the idea that Honda would max out hp in an effort to win the last race for the V10 just struck as so absurd it brought out the satirical little idiot that resides within me.

George I hadn’t thought of the Chinese/pyrotechnic angle which is a pity. I immediately thought of a couple more possible methods of demise for the last V10.

It would be ironic if Button did win, but with all the press he has received this past week over will he go, and where and how, I wonder. Jenson may fool us all and being racing John Deeres in that annual 24hr lawn mower race in England.

posted on July 30th, 2005 at 6:40 am

4 On March 27th, 2006, Jim Ewart said:#

I hear that Honda is building a 1,000 hp motor … I thought that the “IRL” built the power plant and driver cages, to keep the cars as close and safe as possible.

posted on March 27th, 2006 at 1:41 pm

5 On March 27th, 2006, Marc said:#

What to hell are you talking about guy?

This post is related to Formula One not the IRL. And secondly the IRL doesn’t build “power plants and driver cages.” Honda supplies the engines and the chassis’ are built by various manufacturers.

posted on March 27th, 2006 at 5:38 pm

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