The Honda Motor Co. has begun a feasibility study that's expected to lead the Japanese automaker back to Formula One racing as soon as 2000.
The last time Honda was involved in the international racing series, from 1984-1992, it was strictly as an engine manufacturer. The company spent hundreds of millions of dollars and dominated the series, winning 73 poles, 69 races and four championships.
In fact, success was the reason Honda left Formula One after the 1992 season, with company officials saying there were no more worlds to conquer at that point.
This time, Honda will produce not only a new engine, but also its own chassis.
Speculation is that Honda will align itself with chassis-maker Reynard and the new British American Racing team hoping to buy out longtime F1 team-owner Ken Tyrrell by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, Honda will remain active as an engine manufacturer in the American-based CART series.
Racing notes:
SAFETY MEASURES: When Winston Cup drivers strap themselves into their 3,400-pound cars, they are in a virtual cocoon of safety.
While rookie Steve Park broke several bones in a crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway last week, the chance and extent of drivers' injuries have certainly been lessened by safety improvements during NASCAR's 50-year run.
In the 1940s and 1950s, safety clothing was limited to what the driver strapped to his head. Open-face helmets and goggles were about it.
Carl Kiekhaefer, who had the biggest multicar team in the early days of NASCAR, dressed his drivers in white jumpsuits. But that was strictly for looks.
And almost all Winston Cup drivers now wear space-age, full-face helmets with built-in air induction systems. Driving suits, gloves, shoes, underwear and socks are now made of fire-retardant Nomex material.
"I raced in whatever I had on, whatever it was I was wearing when I got to the track," said Herb Thomas, the 1951 and 1953 series champion. "We never even thought about flame-retardant material.
"The helmets we used weren't much, either. I don't remember what the shell was made of, but it was just enough to cover the top of my head. There wasn't much insulation inside, no real padding like what they have now. The inside was leather that came down to the leather straps that covered my ears. That was it."
Bill Simpson, whose Team Simpson Racing produces much of the clothing and safety equipment used in stock car racing, said: "Things happen so fast in this industry that what we produce now is light years ahead of where we were 10 years ago."
HELPING HAND: Indy Racing League team owner Allan Pagan got a big surprise recently when he opened a letter from a pair of Pagan Racing fans.
Carol and Ray Barrett of Springfield, Mo., sent a check for $50 and a note to Pagan, who is searching for a sponsor for Pagan Racing and driver Roberto Guerrero.
"I just couldn't believe it," Pagan said. "I've never had anything like this happen in all of the years I've been involved in racing. To know that these folks care that much about our team leaves me speechless.
"If we win at Phoenix, I'll dedicate the race to them."
Guerrero was among the fastest of the IRL entries in recent tests at Phoenix International Raceway, where the 1998 season will continue March 22.
The only other drivers in the same speed bracket with Guerrero in PIR testing have been Tony Stewart, the winner of the Orlando opener in January; Scott Sharp, Billy Boat and Arie Luyendyk.
The IRL is expecting 33 entries for its second race of the season.
CART OPENER: The opening round of the 1998 CART FedEx Championship Series, the Grand Prix of Miami, will be held this weekend in Homestead, Fla.
The entry list includes 19 teams with 29 cars and 11 different chassis-engine-tire combinations.
Leading the way into the new season will be the Target-Chip Ganassi Racing team, which won the 1996 championship with Jimmy Vasser and followed with a title for Alex Zanardi in 1997.
A third straight title for Ganassi's team would match the CART record set by Team Penske from 1981-83.
TV APPEARANCE: The second edition of this season's "Real Sports" with Bryant Gumbel, shown on HBO, will include a profile of defending Winston Cup champ Jeff Gordon.
Sonja Steptoe is the correspondent who will profile the 26-year-old, two-time series champion.
NASHVILLE NOTES: After a rainout last Saturday in Atlanta, NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series will try again this weekend at Nashville Speedway.
The Sunday race on the .596-mile oval will not have a defending champion. Last year's winner, Steve Park, has moved on to the Winston Cup Series, but is sidelined by injuries from a crash during practice at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
There have been six different winners in the last six Busch races at the Tennessee track. And starting up front apparently is not a big advantage. No Busch driver has won the race from the pole.
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