IndyCar's Simon Pagenaud to Pilot 500-HP Honda Odyssey at Pikes Peak
Last week’s Detroit IndyCar winner, Simon Pagenaud, will be climbing into a Honda Odyssey for the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Honda is bringing a record-setting 11-vehicle, nine-class effort to this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and this will be the first time Pagenaud has competed in the Race to the Clouds. The turbocharged minivan will pack over 500 hp and was originally developed for competition by associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.
The Odyssey is powered by a modified 3.5-liter, V6 engine with a Garrett GT35R turbocharger. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed transmission with limited-slip differential from the Acura TL. It’ll be competing on 19-inch BBS wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires in the Exhibition category.
Pagenaud was last year’s IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year and the 29-year-old Frenchman is currently fifth in the drivers’ championship standings.
Other cars competing for Honda at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb include a first-generation NSX, a TL SH-AWD, a CR-Z, and a Honda Fit EV.
GALLERY: 2013 Pikes Peak Honda Odyssey
Discuss this story at OdysseyOwnersClub.com
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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