Only Honda could do this. In fact, of all the car manufacturers currently involved in Formula One racing, only Honda could even contemplate doing this.

‘Eh? Vot? (you can imagine the bosses at Mercedes-Benz blurting). Take zee highly expensive F1 car to zee American desert at Bonneville and spend hundreds of thousands of euros just to see if it vill run at 400km/h? Vot? For sure are you insane?’

Well… yes, actually. Crazy. It’s a fact not fully appreciated by the outside world, but Honda, as a global corporation, is slightly mad. Ask the top bosses about it and they’d not only agree with the assessment, they’d probably be flattered that you’d noticed. Because to them, it’s a huge compliment – we’re not talking about a random, destructive madness, obviously, because Honda is in rude financial health. We’re talking about a chunky dose of highly encouraged, chaotic, creative insanity that filters down right from the top, through every strand of the business worldwide.

from the archives: honda tries to hit 400kph in an f1 car
from the archives: honda tries to hit 400kph in an f1 car
from the archives: honda tries to hit 400kph in an f1 car

This feature was first published in Issue 157 of Top Gear magazine (2006)

Anyway, how fast will an F1 car go when released from the constraints of a race track and given its head on a very long straight? A straight like the one on 70,000 acres at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, for instance, the scene of every significant world-record speed run for the last 40 years? As questions go, it’s a kinda cool one.

“There is a degree of madness about it,” says Honda F1 sporting director Gil de Ferran. “When you go to a place like Bonneville, it’s easy to see why people used to think the world was flat, that you could fall off the edge. To imagine an F1 car running here is bizarre, totally offbeat – but that’s what this is all about.”

And, no doubt, with some help from the bucks of British American Tobacco, Honda was happy to give it a try. Several tries, as it turned out. It started in August 2005 and the team had to abort a couple of sessions due to flooding, until the final attempt in mid July this year.

from the archives: honda tries to hit 400kph in an f1 car

When the Bonneville 400 project – as it was soon dubbed – first kicked off, the unofficial record speed of an F1 car was 369.9km/h (229.9mph) set by Antonio Pizzonia, at the end of the main straight at Monza, during the 2004 Italian Grand Prix. A couple of Honda practice runs on airstrips showed that peak speeds of 400km/h were easily attainable, but it would need to be done properly, to official FIA speed-record rules. That is, holding the speed, not just peaking – taking the average of two runs through a measured mile, one in each direction, with less than an hour between them. So, all of this effort for a measly 30km/h? Yep, but it was one hell of a difficult challenge.

The car was a BAR Honda 007, as seen in last year’s F1 World Championship, with a 3.0-litre V10 cranking out around 900bhp. Honda supplied an engine capable of running uninterrupted at full throttle in top gear for 40 seconds – that’s more than twice as long as required at Monza – with the rev limit dropped from around 19,000rpm to 18,200rpm. The car also had two top gears – the difference between them was only 200rpm, but enough to be useful for runs upwind and downwind.

READ MORE

An official Formula 1 exhibition is coming to Madrid in 2023

This Bonneville 400 special had no rear wing, but there is no rule in the FIA F1 regulations that states that you must run a rear wing. However, removing the rear wing would make the car unstable at maximum speed, so there was a new body shape, with more swaged, sloping radiator ducts and a rear body that was tucked in tighter. The engine air intake was smaller and the front wing endplates were trimmed to improve aero efficiency over the car – the bargeboards were gone, too. The overall effect was to reduce drag and move the centre of aerodynamic balance backwards. To compensate, some 60kg of ballast was added to the nose to improve front-end grip. The tyres were standard Michelin F1 intermediates, with the pressures doubled. Other than a stabilising ‘rudder’ between the rear wing end plates, and a parachute to comply with Bonneville nationals regulations, the car was completely F1-legal.

from the archives: honda tries to hit 400kph in an f1 car

Honda F1 test driver and 2003 British F3 Champion, South African Alan van der Merwe, was the pilot, and he didn’t find it easy. He spun more than once on the seven-mile-long track during practice runs, but on the final day the salt conditions and the weather really came to them.

They failed, of course. With perfect running conditions on 17 July, Van der Merwe clocked an average of 397.360km/h in both directions – with one of the earlier runs hitting 400.454km/h. So they’d hit the magic 400, just not for the official record. Did it matter that they’d fallen 2.64km/h short? Not really. They’d given it a heck of a shot, and to Honda, that’s enough.

Keyword: From the archives: Honda tries to hit 400kph in an F1 car

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Honda announces Marini on two-year MotoGP deal

The Honda MotoGP outfit has finally announced that Luca Marini will join the marque on a two-year deal covering the 2024 and ’25 campaigns. The Italian’s impending switch to the Japanese manufacturer for his fourth season in the premier class has been an open secret for the past couple ...

View more: Honda announces Marini on two-year MotoGP deal

Valencia MotoGP: Luca Marini signs... Will Valentino Rossi finally get his 500cc Honda?

With younger brother Luca Marini now confirmed as joining HRC in place of Marc Marquez next season, perhaps a #46 NSR500 will finally be heading to Tavullia in the near future. Valentino Rossi dominated the 2002 and 2003 seasons as a Repsol Honda rider, before leaving under something of a ...

View more: Valencia MotoGP: Luca Marini signs... Will Valentino Rossi finally get his 500cc Honda?

Official: Luca Marini replaces Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda for MotoGP 2024

Repsol Honda has finally announced the signing of Luca Marini as Marc Marquez’s replacement for the 2024 MotoGP season. Marini, younger brother of former Repsol Honda world champion Valentino Rossi, joins the factory HRC team after spending three seasons in MotoGP at his brother’s VR46 Ducati squad. The Italian, ...

View more: Official: Luca Marini replaces Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda for MotoGP 2024

Owner's thoughts on his Elevate CVT's comfort, fuel efficiency & more

My family is also happy with the back seat comfort after bouncing in the Mahindra TUV300 for the last 6 years. BHPian dieselburner recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Got delivery of my ZX CVT lunar silver a week back. Initially, I got the Blue colour booked but the ...

View more: Owner's thoughts on his Elevate CVT's comfort, fuel efficiency & more

Before The Honda Prelude Returns, Here's A Classic Review Of The Fourth Gen

The Honda Prelude Concept has reignited interest in the historic nameplate. Let's see how the fourth-gen model stacks up against competitors in the early 1990s.

View more: Before The Honda Prelude Returns, Here's A Classic Review Of The Fourth Gen

Valencia MotoGP: Marc Marquez ‘is leaving his love, he gave a lot to Honda’

Giacomo Agostini says Marc Marquez leaving Honda ahead of the 2024 MotoGP season is like ‘leaving his love’. Marquez is in his last race weekend as a Repsol Honda rider, ahead of switching to Gresini Ducati in the hope of becoming a MotoGP title contender in 2024. The eight-time ...

View more: Valencia MotoGP: Marc Marquez ‘is leaving his love, he gave a lot to Honda’

Review: Test riding Honda’s Motocompacto electric scooter, aka the battery-powered suitcase

I recently got the chance to test ride Honda’s new Motocompacto, a battery-powered suitcase with wheels that comes complete with an underwhelming 15 mph top speed and an adorable bell, which I must say has to be my favorite feature by far. Overall, the Motocompacto’s strongest aspect is its ...

View more: Review: Test riding Honda’s Motocompacto electric scooter, aka the battery-powered suitcase

WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona calls new Honda ‘a big surprise, everything changed a lot’

Iker Lecuona is already waxing lyrical about the new Honda WorldSBK machine after just one test in Jerez. Lecuona, who just finished a very busy end to the season after continuing to replace Alex Rins in MotoGP, flew straight from Qatar to Jerez in order to test the 2024 ...

View more: WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona calls new Honda ‘a big surprise, everything changed a lot’

Davide Brivio tipped to replace Alberto Puig as Repsol Honda team boss

2024 Honda CR-V incoming - Honda's next-generation 'benchmark' SUV open for booking

Valencia MotoGP: Luca Marini: Repsol Honda? “News will come soon”

Marc Marquez unveils special Honda tribute helmet for Valencia MotoGP

834-HP Honda Civic Wagon Vs. Stock Audi RS5 Drag Proves Power Isn't Everything

UAW win helps nonunion workers too as VW, Hyundai, Toyota, Honda hike pay

Watch The Coolest Custom Ferrari On the Planet Grenade Its Honda Engine On Track

Valencia MotoGP: Alex Rins returns for LCR Honda farewell

‘Honda finalising Luca Marini contract clauses’ | “A bold move, see how it goes…”

Toprak Razgatlioglu drops unexpected Repsol Honda hint, ‘can talk MotoGP contract after 2025’

Honda Set to Introduce New ‘Sensing 360+’ Driver Assistance System Globally

Honda and Nissan slash rates to keep pace with BYD, EVs in overseas markets

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel