ZF, Honda Performance Development ties up.

A global leader in Driveline and chassis technology, ZF Friedrichshafen AG has entered into a technical partnership with Honda Performance Development (HPD). As part of this tie up, HPD will implement ZF’s high-performance clutch and shock absorber technology in a variety of North American racing series. HPD is active in several of these races.

Incidentally, both the company has long standing records of success in Motorsports. The two will now work together to investigate other potential performance-enhancing technology and will utilize their respective engineering and R&D strengths.

Art St. Cyr, president of HPD said his department was very proud to welcome ZF as a technical partner. “ZF’s reputation as a technology supplier in the Motorsport world and beyond is second to none, so we are delighted to be working with them. Together, we will continue to work on innovative products, to better help our teams and drivers stand on the top step of the podium in all of our racing series,” he said.

Dr. Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, said he was looking forward to the new technical partnership and noted that his company already had a very successful and growing business relation with Honda. ZF supplies products and technology for Honda production vehicles in the U.S.

“With the partnership in racing we are able to point out our prominent competencies as a development partner and technology leader in Motorsports. The racing series where HPD participates are an ideal platform for this. We are looking forward to many future victories together,” he said.

HPD is the performance arm of the American Honda Motor Company. Its role was to spearhead the company’s entry into IndyCar race. No other manufacturer has matched Honda’s success in IndyCars, which includes 207 race victories, 15 drivers’ championships, six manufacturer’s championships and nine consecutive Indianapolis 500 victories (2004-2012).

Source: ZF / Honda Performance Development / Picture for representation purpose only. Indy racing, picture courtesy Honda.