HONDA DEBUTS AT BIG BEAR 26
HONDA DEBUTS AT BIG BEAR 26
R. Cunningham
At the Big Bear national competition, Honda presented its new RN01 gearbox downhill race machine. Greg Minnaar, the team leader and reigning champion in downhill racing, and Cyrill Kurtz, his young French prot? were available to sign autographs and talk about the inner workings of the Japanese Giants monocoque. Kenji Morita, Tomiji Niitsu and a team of engineers from Honda were assigned to supervise the project. Martin Whitely, Team Honda G-cross manager and Minnaars representative, stood proudly beside. We interviewed them all in an attempt to find any technical information or improve the performance of the NR3 cms transmission.
The Honda bikes were removed from sight when they weren’t on the course and brought into the tent where at least one of them was placed on the operating table. Honda was polite and professional in handling the no-see, not-talk operation.
As they pedaled through the pits, the NR01s produced a unique mechanical sound. It was emitted by the carbon-fiber-encased gearbox. Because the transmission is infinitely adjustable, the latest version uses trigger shifters. This is quite unusual. This compromise must have been made to make the gearbox more familiar for racers. Showa made the suspension. It was inverted with carbon fiber uppers, monocoque crowns, and a machined magnesium reservoir. A team of Showa suspension technicians was on hand to adjust the NR3 cms. According to insiders, the bikes are 18 kg which is quite light for pro-downhill standards.
The Hondas arrived with barcodes on almost every part. The team records each run and sends the information to Japan daily. There are at least four complete NR01s here, four in Europe and a few spares on hand. The team will focus on the US National series and will be present at least three World Cups.
Greg Minnaar proved that Honda could win, having qualified almost two seconds quicker than his closest rival on the Big Bear Downhill course. Greg’s downfall was the four-rider Downhill format. He was eliminated by a nose at line and did not make it to the finals. Minnaar expressed his satisfaction with his Qualifying results, and said that his Honda was performing well for him.
Next? MBA’s current issue contains some information on the Honda gearbox. Minnaar’s chances of taking Honda to the podium after his Big Bear debut are only a matter of when and not if. Both Minnaar and Honda are winners. However, the big question is: What does a motorsports leader such as Honda get from being involved in a niche human-powered sport like downhill mountain biking racing?
Only time will tell.
