Just 30 days before the season opening race in St. Peteresburg, Honda confirmed today an agreement to power Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing's single car effort on a full-time basis this season.
The engine was made available to Fisher when Bobby Rahal agreed to transfer Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's 2nd full-time engine contract to the newly branded SFHR.
“We deeply appreciate Bobby’s generous offer to forego his second full-season lease in order to ensure that Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing will be on the grid from the start of the season, and we were happy to help facilitate this change,” said Steve Eriksen, vice president of HPD. “We’re pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Sarah and her growing team, and look forward to a successful rookie season from Josef, following on the heels of his outstanding championship season in Indy Lights last year.”
SFHR, who announced rookie Josef Newgarden in December, will become the 9th confirmed Honda car/driver combination and the 24th confirmed full-time entry this season.
“Everyone at SFHR is ecstatic about competing in the entire 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series, with Josef behind the wheel and Honda engines. We had been in discussions with Honda since last season, and I’m delighted it finally came together,” said Sarah Fisher. “I’d also like to give special thanks to Bobby Rahal, for helping us initiate our 2012 partnership with Honda. Bobby once again personified the definition of a gentleman and sportsman, remembering how we helped his son, Graham. This is wonderful example of ‘paying it forward’.”
The engine was made available to Fisher when Bobby Rahal agreed to transfer Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's 2nd full-time engine contract to the newly branded SFHR.
“We deeply appreciate Bobby’s generous offer to forego his second full-season lease in order to ensure that Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing will be on the grid from the start of the season, and we were happy to help facilitate this change,” said Steve Eriksen, vice president of HPD. “We’re pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Sarah and her growing team, and look forward to a successful rookie season from Josef, following on the heels of his outstanding championship season in Indy Lights last year.”
SFHR, who announced rookie Josef Newgarden in December, will become the 9th confirmed Honda car/driver combination and the 24th confirmed full-time entry this season.
“Everyone at SFHR is ecstatic about competing in the entire 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series, with Josef behind the wheel and Honda engines. We had been in discussions with Honda since last season, and I’m delighted it finally came together,” said Sarah Fisher. “I’d also like to give special thanks to Bobby Rahal, for helping us initiate our 2012 partnership with Honda. Bobby once again personified the definition of a gentleman and sportsman, remembering how we helped his son, Graham. This is wonderful example of ‘paying it forward’.”