When we think of racing, normally a really fast, sleek sports car comes to mind. That may have been what Simon Pagenaud, IndyCar’s latest first-time winner, was thinking as he planned to hit the track at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. But this year, Honda produced something a little different for him to race: a highly-modified Honda Odyssey mini-van!
Pagenaud will race the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 Odyssey during the Exhibition race on June 30th. Of course, this minivan went through several renovations to prepare it for racing. It is now paired with a six-speed transmission and limited-slip differential to produce an impressive 532 horsepower.
“Our entry will be unique, to say the least,” states Pagenaud. “A Honda Odyssey with power similar to an IndyCar will raise some eyebrows for sure! But with the preparation it is getting from Team Honda Research, it will be a proper race car, and I’m very excited about it.”
Look for the Odyssey and Pagenaud as they take on the sporty lineup of race cars later this month. Honda will have a total of 11 vehicles across nine different classes racing at Pikes Peak, so give them a cheer as they battle for first place this year!
Brought to you by Shadyside Honda in Pittsburgh, PA
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.