Ever since it was first revealed at the New York show last year, there's been some degree of excitement around the
Honda NSX GT3
. Not only did it look fantastic, it also represented another alternative in a vibrant, exciting world sportscar scene. Well, that and the possibility of a road car being suggested...
The view Honda hopes most will see
Whatever may happen to that idea, the news today is that the GT3 NSX is now on sale to customer race teams across the world. It has enjoyed success in its first year of racing in the US (that's the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship) and so now, in conjunction with JAS Motorsport, Honda Performance Development and Mugen, the car is being offered for sale elsewhere for 2018.
In fact the car will apparently be eligible for more than 24 FIA-sanctioned events, including Blancpain GT in Europe (and N24), the Blancpain GT Asia Series, GT300 in Japanese Super GT, the Australian GT Championship and the Intercontinental GT Challenge. If there's a sportscar series you want the NSX in, it sounds like you'll be able to race it. We're finding out about British GT...
As a reminder, the car uses the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 from the production NSX, with identical block, heads, crank and pistons. So we'll say nothing more about the GT3 road car... It's rear-wheel drive, uses a six-speed sequential and has been developed by Honda in Japan with help from JAS Motorsport. Those with long memories will remember them as the team who ran Gabriele Tarquini's BTCC Accord way back when...
In case there wasn't enough carbon outside...
A batch of 12 cars is going to be produced for the start of next season, priced at 465,000 euros. And yes, that exposed carbon finish is what your car will come in. Additional options including "complete customer support... training and engineering services" are available.
Robert Watherston, Honda Europe's Head of Motorsport said of the news: "With the customer support of Honda, JAS Motorsport, HPD and Mugen, we look forward to seeing the NSX fighting for victory in the most prestigious GT3 races in the world in 2018 and beyond." Could that be you? Do you need a change from your current GT3 racer? Orders are open now... And someone must do the Takata livery, OK?