• New role to promote LMP2 sales for HPD chassis, Honda engines
• Joint appointment by HPD and Wirth Research

Honda Performance Development together with Wirth Research today announced the joint appointment of David Dupont to the position of International Sportscar Sales Manager across the two businesses.

The new position reinforces the companies' commitment to the global endurance racing market, highlighted by the new HPD ARX-04b coupe which is set to debut in 2015.

Dupont joined Bicester-based Wirth Research in November 2012, bringing with him a wealth of motorsport business development experience. His previous roles include Sales Director at Performance Friction, Business Development Director at Hewland Engineering and Aftersales Project Manager at Prodrive, where he worked for 20 years.

"We're delighted to welcome David in this joint initiative, which further strengthens our customer support infrastructure," said Steve Eriksen, HPD vice president and COO. The design and technology under development will be applied to our stunning new sports car being brought to the market and David is now in the enviable position of presenting this creation to endurance teams around the world. I look forward to seeing our cutting-edge designs racing to victory."

Nick Wirth President of Wirth Research, said: "David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge gained from a career which has encompassed the motorsport spectrum to this exciting new project that will see our car designs competing from 2015 onwards in all the major sports car championships around the globe. ."

"The combining of this new appointment and my existing role as Head of Business Development at Wirth Research reflects the strength and importance of the close technical collaboration between HPD and Wirth internationally," Dupont said. "This is an exciting new chapter for the companies, which already boast countless joint wins and numerous international championships. I'm looking forward to building on these successes to ensure our continued leadership in this market sector."

About Honda Performance Development HPD was founded in 1993 as the performance arm of American Honda, to spearhead the company's entry into Indy car racing. No other manufacturer has matched Honda's success in Indy cars, which includes 204 race victories, 15 drivers' championships, six manufacturers' championships and nine consecutive Indianapolis 500 victories (2004-2012). 

In 2013, Honda powered veteran Scott Dixon to four race wins and the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series championship; and Tristan Vautier to series Rookie of the Year honors.

HPD's prototype racing efforts have resulted in more than 60 victories and multiple American Le Mans Series championships. The company's sports-car racing debut in 2007 at the 12 Hours of Sebring marked the first win for HPD's LM-V8 engine and the first for a Honda racing engine designed and developed outside of Japan.  HPD won the LMP2 title in the inaugural 2012 World Endurance Championship and has twice won the LMP2 category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2010.

In 2013, HPD and Honda again swept the LMP1 and LMP2 manufacturers', engine, team and drivers' championships in the American Le Mans Series; while HPD-equipped Strakka Racing claimed the LMP1 class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for private team entries.

HPD participates in competition on both two wheels and four. The company offers a complete line of race engines for cars from grass roots to pinnacle; for professional, amateur and entry-level racers. For more information about HPD and the company's racing and Street Performance product lines, please visit http://hpd.honda.com.   

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