Honda Forms Partnership with SAFEisFAST.com, Dario added
Honda will play a vital role in SAFEisFAST’s goal of being the free resource to racers worldwide, making drivers safer by making them more competent. The partnership will see Honda’s racing arm – Honda Performance Development (HPD) – featured extensively on SAFEisFAST.com through expanded content, interactive instruction, visitor contests and the material benefits of Honda support. HPD will work closely with new SAFEisFAST.com ambassador Dario Franchitti to help promote the program worldwide.
SAFEisFAST.com already has become the most accessed driver training site in the world with over 538,200 video tutorials viewed in more than 160 countries since its launch in 2011. This partnership will further enable SAFEisFAST.com to reach aspiring race drivers around the world, educating them on a variety of subjects from mental preparation and career development to fitness and safety. The program is supported by the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety & Sustainability.
“To have both Honda and Dario on board is a tremendous step for our online initiative," said Road Racing Drivers Club President Bobby Rahal. “Honda Performance Development is dedicated to educating racing drivers at all levels and we see them as a perfect partner. Alongside Dario, we aim to ensure drivers from around the world are given the tools they need to be both fast and safe on the race track."
SAFEisFAST.com’s viewership expands beyond the young driver target and the site’s visitors now include every level of race driver, as well as parents, FIA national motorsports authorities and local organizations worldwide.
John Mendel, Executive Vice President of Auto Divisions for American Honda, said: “Honda is a leader in racing, and leaders do things that improve their sport. We are delighted to be involved with a program that gives back to racing by providing important resources for aspiring drivers worldwide."
Honda has been a fixture in North American open-wheel racing since 1994, and has played an active role in the growth of the Verizon IndyCar Series – as both a Manufacturers' Championship competitor and single engine supplier – since joining the series in 2003. Honda is also returning to Formula One racing next year as an engine supplier.
Founded in 1993, HPD is the technical operations center for high-performance Honda racing cars and engines and competes at race circuits around the world from its headquarters in Santa Clarita, California.
SAFEisFAST.com is a free online resource offering video tutorials on safety, fitness, mental skills, race craft, career development, sponsorship, marketing and more to assist the careers of drivers in all forms of racing. It also offers online instructors in its “Ask a Pro" section who will answer the questions of aspiring drivers. Recent participants include Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, two-time Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz and Indianapolis 500 champion Gil de Ferran, as well as fitness guru Jim Leo and mental preparation expert Dr. Jacques Dallaire.