HPD and Strakka: So who were the winners at Budapest?

Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU - ACO/Nikon

HPD and Strakka Racing created a sensation at the Hungaroring in becoming the first manufacturer and the first team to win overall with an LM P2 in a round of the Le Mans Series. It has already happened many times in the ALMS, thanks to Team Penske Porsche but this is a first at European level.

Behind the initials HPD (Honda Performance Development) hides Honda's American motorsport offshoot. The Strakka Racing car is not exactly a novelty since in 2009, it ran in ALMS as the 'Acura' and under the colors of Fernandez Racing. This year, Honda's American 'Acura' name has taken a step back in favour of the more discreet and international 'HPD', in the USA (with Highcroft Racing) and Europe (with Strakka Racing).

Strakka Racing is a British team founded in 2006 when the driver and team manager Peter Hardman founded EDM Motorsport, to run BMWs in national championships. With the support of Nick Leventis, the team was renamed Strakka Racing in 2008 ran an Aston Martin DBR9 in the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in partnership with Vitaphone.

In 2009, Strakka went to the LM P1 with a Ginetta-Zytek, causing a first surprise of the 1000 km of Barcelona when Danny Watts made the pole position and 5th place in Spain. The Ginetta then finished 21st and 9th at Le Mans and Silverstone. Between these two events, the team had undergone a major change following the departure of Peter Hardman, replaced as team manager by Piers Philips.

For 2010, Strakka went to LM P2 with the assistance of HPD successfully starting the season with a class win at Le Castellet 8h followed by another success at Le Mans. It was less brilliant in Spa and in Portimao, but the Hungarian victory will allow the No.42 crew to get back into the title race. For Tony Leventis and his friends Danny Watts and Jonny Kane, the 1000 km of Silverstone, 'home race' will be crucial. 

François Hurel – Translated by Dave Davies.