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| Category | Formula One |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Honda |
| Designers | Ken Hashimoto (project leader,Honda R&D) Keinosuke Taki (development chief,Honda R&D) |
| Technical specifications | |
| Engine | Honda RA121E 3.5 L (213.583 cu in) V12 |
| Power | 740–770 hp (552–574 kW; 750–781 PS) @ 14,500 rpm |
| Tyres | Bridgestone (forF3000) |
| Competition history | |
| Notable drivers |  Keinosuke Taki Ken Hashimoto |
 | |
| Category | Formula One |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Honda |
| Designers | Ken Hashimoto (project leader,Honda R&D) Keinosuke Taki (development chief,Honda R&D) |
| Technical specifications | |
| Engine | Honda RA122E 3.5 L (213.583 cu in) V12 |
| Transmission | 6-speed Honda semi-auto |
| Power | 740–770 hp (552–574 kW; 750–781 PS) @ 14,500 rpm |
| Tyres | Bridgestone (forF3000) |
| Competition history | |
| Notable drivers | Keinosuke TakiSatoru Nakajima |
 | |
| Category | Formula One |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Honda |
| Designers | Ken Hashimoto (project leader,Honda R&D) Keinosuke Taki (development chief,Honda R&D) |
| Technical specifications | |
| Engine | Mugen-Honda 3.0 L (183.1 cu in) V10 |
| Transmission | 6-speed Honda semi-auto |
| Power | 670 hp (500 kW; 679 PS) @ 13,500 rpm |
| Tyres | Bridgestone (forF3000) |
| Competition history | |
| Notable drivers | Keinosuke TakiRyo Michigami |
TheHonda RC100 (also known asHonda RC-F1 1.0X, chassis number RC1-203/1) was a prototypeFormula One car built by engineers fromHonda R&D Center, Tochigi, although not as an official project of Honda. The car was completed in 1993 and initially tested at Honda'sSuzuka Circuit. Two more cars, known asRC101 (RC-F1 1.5X, chassis RC1B-101) andRC101B (RC-F1 2.0X, chassis RC2-001), were also built and tested before the project ended.
These cars should not be confused with theHonda RA099, which was an official Honda prototype intended for the2000 season but also never ran.
During the1992 season, Honda announced that they would end their engine supply programme that had existed since1984. This was due to Honda's desire for a new challenge after dominating in Formula One, with Honda deciding to move to theCART championship in North America (although their tuning partnerMugen Motorsports would continue carrying Honda's presence in the sport until they returned in 2000).
However, engineers at Honda decided to launch their own separate project by attempting to build a full Formula One car, something Honda had not done since the 1960s. Honda at the time encouraged engineers to create their own projects in an attempt to motivate and boost morale. Funds from Honda's motorsports budget were specifically put aside each year for engineers to be able to realistically create these projects. These projects were however not backed by Honda Motor Company, and the engineers actually had to work on their personal projects on their own time.
In the early 1990s, to study how a Formula One chassis works, the mass-produced car engineers of the Honda Automobile R&D Center, Tochigi, started to design a Formula One chassis as a volunteer activity outside of working hours. With no access to latest Formula One chassis in1991, the engineers had to develop the RC100's monocoque and suspension by calculation and analysis. By late 1991, the engineers were able to obtain and rebuild a used 1991 Honda Formula One engine, the RA121E, as used in theMcLaren MP4/6.[1]
When the RC100/RC-F1 1.0X was tested, the engineers were satisfied with the performance of the monocoque and suspension at the test, but not with the aerodynamics of the chassis when tested in theirwind tunnel, prompting the development of the next car.[1] The RC100 was painted white, and nicknamed the "white crow" by the Honda R&D engineers.
Members of Honda R&D Center's chassis design team decided to give another try at building another Formula One chassis, attempting to fully comply with the1993 Formula One regulations and solving aerodynamic problems of the previous car. The car used the same Honda RA122E/B V12 engine that was being used in Honda's engine supply program in 1992 and a six speed semi-automatic transmission built by Honda, mirroring theMcLaren Honda MP4/7A.
While the car was still being completed in 1992, Honda Motor Company president Nobuhiko Kawamoto acknowledged that the project existed, although it was confirmed to have had no backing from Honda. The completed RC101/RC-F1 1.5X was unveiled to select media in February 1993. Later that year, Honda engineers had the car crash tested byFISA in order to confirm that it indeed complied with the 1993 regulations; this necessitated the destruction of the original car.
The first public testing came atSuzuka in January 1994, when yet another car had been built andSatoru Nakajima performing the public test. Soon after, testing on the RC101 came to an end as Honda concentrated on their new CART program.
Following rule changes necessitated by safety concerns following the deaths at1994 San Marino Grand Prix, a third Honda R&D Formula One car was later built, based on1995 regulations. The RC101B/RC-F1 2.0X featured new developments such as stepped bottom and a raised nose cone, and used a 3.0 literMugen-Honda engine as well as groovedJapanese Formula 3000-specBridgestone tyres.[2]
The RC100, RC101 and RC101B were planned to be destroyed after a demonstration running at the 2001 Honda Festival, an annual social gathering of Honda companies, in Honda Automobile R&D Center, Tochigi; it was the first time the cars were presented following the tests. Ultimately, the RC100 was presented to Honda Technical College Kansai and the latter two cars are now shown at the Honda Collection Hall, located atTwin Ring Motegi.
