Honda engine earns Schwitzer Award.

Indy Racing League engine manufacturer Honda received the 38th BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award for its HI4R-A Honda Indy V-8 engine used in the IRL IndyCar Series.

Robert Clarke, vice-president and general manager for Honda Performance Development, accepted the award on behalf of Honda engineers Yasuhide Sakamoto and Steve Eriksen, and Ilmor engineers Steve Miller and Steve O'Connor. Honda's IRL engines are created in a partnership with Ilmor.

Honda, along with Indy Racing League engine manufacturers Chevrolet and Toyota, faced the challenge of switching from a 3.5-litre engine to a three-litre after the first three races of this season due to new regulations mandated by the IRL to reduce speeds and enhance safety, but Honda clearly got its head around the problem as MBNA pole winner Buddy Rice led a Honda-powered sweep of the top seven starting spots for the 88th Indianapolis 500.

"It's a true honour and pleasure to accept the Louis Schwitzer Award," Clarke said, "A true challenge and opportunity was presented to us by the IRL to develop the 3.5 and three-litre engines in tandem.

"For us, being a Japanese company and having Motegi with the 3.5-litre engines followed by Indy with the three-litre forced us to develop these engines in tandem. This truly is our best performance to date, tackling both programmes in parallel."

Award recipients receive $5000, a plaque and a framed poster from BorgWarner, and their names will be added to the permanent trophy in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

The Louis Schwitzer Award, named after the dynamic automotive pioneer, has been presented annually in conjunction with the Indianapolis 500 since 1967. It recognises individuals with the courage and conviction to explore and develop new concepts in auto racing technology. Past award recipients include Colin Chapman, Bruce McLaren, Dan Gurney, AJ Foyt and Ilmor founder Mario Illien. Last year's award was presented to Indy Racing League chassis manufacturer Dallara for its IR3 chassis used in the IndyCar Series.