When we talk about Honda entering the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the entries that they will be bringing in that passes through our minds are the ones like the NSX, S2000, CR-Z or even the Civic Type R. While some of them are in the 11 entrants Honda is bringing in, we never thought that one of those is going to be a 532-horsepower Odyssey minivan.
Before you start doubting us, no, this is not a joke or a very late April Fool’s prank. Honda’s North American motorsport division had actually took a stock Odyssey minivan, strapped the 3.5-liter V6 engine with a turbocharger, a six-speed transmission and limited-slip differential from the Acura TL product line. They had also included racing suspension and brakes, 19-inch BBS wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, and of course, a full competition rollcage.
“This is something I’m really looking forward to”, said the driver of this insane creation, IndyCar racer Simon Pagenaud.
“Our entry will be unique, to say the least! A Honda Odyssey with power similar to an IndyCar will raise some eyebrows for sure! But with the preparation it is getting from Team Honda Research, it will be a proper race car, and I ‘m very excited about it”, he added.
This monster Odyssey will be entering the “Exhibition” category, along with a Honda CR-Z hybrid piloted by Sage Marie from Honda North America. This Odyssey might not be able to break the 10-minute barrier as even the “Unlimited” class entrants are squeezing all their might to do so. But this is nevertheless an interesting entry and we would really like to see what kind of timing a turbocharged minivan can post up!
