Honda and Acura Celebrate 80 Years of Racing at Monterey Car Week

Honda and Acura are preparing to highlight eight decades of motorsports history at California's Monterey Car Week, scheduled from August 12–16, 2026. The celebration will feature more than 20 championship-winning race cars and motorcycles, offering attendees a comprehensive look at the brands' extensive racing legacy.

These iconic vehicles will be displayed and demonstrated across several premier events during the week, including Motorlux, The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (RMMR) at Laguna Seca, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Celebrating Eight Decades of Racing Success

Honda's involvement in motorsports began with its inaugural participation in the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race in 1959. Since then, the company has accumulated a significant number of victories and championships across both two-wheel and four-wheel racing disciplines worldwide. This includes 17 Indianapolis 500 victories, which is the highest among major auto manufacturers.

Further achievements include 25 premier-class Grand Prix and MotoGP Constructors' Championships, alongside six Formula 1® Drivers' Championships and six Formula 1® Constructor's titles. Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), established in 1982, and its American arm, HRC US, have been central to these efforts, contributing to over 500 race wins and 60 series championships in North America alone.

Iconic Race Machines on Display

The extensive collection of vehicles at Monterey Car Week will span various racing categories. From Formula 1, the 1986 Williams Honda FW11, powered by a 1.5-liter V6 twin-turbo RA166E engine, will perform demonstration laps at RMMR, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Honda's first F1 Constructors' title. The 2026 Aston Martin Aramco Racing Formula One™ AMR26, featuring a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 Honda RA626H power unit, will also be displayed.

IndyCar fans can see Alex Palou's 2025 IndyCar, a championship-winning machine that secured eight wins and a fourth series championship. The Acura ARX-06 GTP, winner of the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona, will be showcased at Motorlux and RMMR, highlighting its AR24e 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine developed by HRC US. Two-wheel enthusiasts can view Mick Doohan's 1997 Honda NSR500, a 500cc two-stroke machine that helped secure the 1997 FIM Grand Prix championship, and Ricky Brabec's 2020 Honda CRF450 RALLY, a Dakar Rally winner powered by a 450cc single-cylinder engine.

A Legacy of Innovation and Competition

Motorsports has played a fundamental role in Honda's corporate identity, serving as a platform for engineering development and competitive demonstration. The diverse range of vehicles on display, from the Comptech Spice Acura GTP Lights Prototypes of the early 1990s to the current 2026 Honda RC213V MotoGP entry, illustrates the brand's continuous pursuit of performance.

This celebration at Monterey Car Week underscores the breadth of Honda and Acura's racing involvement, covering disciplines such as IMSA, Le Mans, Japanese Super GT, Touring Car, Pikes Peak, Baja, and AMA Supercross. The event draws on resources from the American Honda Collection Hall, the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan, and private owners, with support from HRC US for vehicle restoration and preparation.

For Acura owners and enthusiasts, the Monterey Car Week display offers a rare opportunity to witness the physical embodiment of Honda and Acura's extensive racing heritage and the technological advancements driven by decades of competition.