Media

Honda unveiled the 'Inside the Indy® Challenge' social media initiative today, highlighting the adrenalin-charged journey of Honda-powered IndyCar® teams, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports as they strive for success at the ultra-competitive "Greatest Spectacle in Racing", the Indianapolis 500.

Originating at www.insidetheindychallenge.com, which aggregates #HondaRacing conversation, the program includes an original documentary-style series of video vignettes that show a close-up, behind-the-scenes look at the teams, featuring drivers Simon Pagenaud and Tristan Vautier. Producers are embedded with the team as they compete in three IndyCar races including the Long Beach Grand Prix, the Sao Paulo Indy 300 and culminating at the Indianapolis 500.

Following each race, the documentary-style video vignettes can be viewed and shared via Honda, Honda Performance Development and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports social media channels and websites. Honda is revealing the content via Facebook, Twitter, Ustream, and YouTube. In addition, today the company launched its latest foray on Tumblr at hondaracing.tumblr.com.

"We knew that we were in a position to offer an interesting, first-hand perspective on the IndyCar Series and share what racing means to Honda." said Mike Accavitti, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations for American Honda, Inc. "Through the 'Inside the Indy Challenge', we are able to join the Honda racing conversation and interact with fans in a meaningful way through an engaging social media experience."

Along with hosting the original video episodes, the Inside the Indy Challenge website curates #HondaRacing consumer-generated content from Twitter as well as from the brand and team's Twitter handles including @Honda, @HondaRacing_HPD, @SimonPagenaud, @TristanVautier and @SPMIndyCar. The same features found on the Inside the Indy Challenge site are also available on a mobile optimized fan hub for use on handheld devices.

For more information and to join in the #HondaRacing conversation, visit www.insidetheindychallenge.com.

About Honda
Honda offers a complete lineup of cars and trucks through a network of more than 1,000 dealerships in the United States. In 2013, Honda marks 40 years of the Civic model, with more than 30 years of producing automobiles in the region, which began with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio in November 1982. Having produced more than 25 million vehicles in North America through 2012 using domestic and globally sourced parts, Honda currently operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.

About Honda Performance Development, Inc.
Honda Performance Development (HPD) is the Honda racing company within North America. Located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for high-performance Honda racing cars and engines. As one of two engine suppliers to the IZOD IndyCar Series, Honda won the 2012 Indianapolis 500 with driver Dario Franchitti; and competes in prototype sports-car racing under the HPD banner in the American Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship. HPD offers a variety of race engines for track applications from prototype sports cars to karting; and showcases "fun-to-drive" products for professional, amateur and entry-level racers.

Connect with Honda:
Media Newsroom (for journalists): http://www.hondanews.com
Website: http://automobiles.Honda.com and hpd.honda.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Honda  and http://www.facebook.com/HondaRacingHPD
YouTube: www.youtube.com/Honda
Tumblr: HondaRacing.tumblr.com
Twitter: twitter.com/Honda  and twitter.com/HondaRacing_HPD
Instagram: instagram.com/Honda
Google+: plus.google.com/+Honda
Pinterest: pinterest.com/Honda

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