<< Prev Page 2 of 2 The V12 used was a development of the engine introduced lated in 1966. This all aluminium unit featured twin overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder. The spectacular spaghetti exhausts were mounted inside the 90° 'V'. The intake ports were located between the camshafts, which also allowed for a very clean installation in the subframe. Honda claimed the V12 produced well over 400 bhp, which was about a match for the compacter and lighter Cosworth DFV V8 that was first raced in the summer of 1967.
Built specifically for John Surtees, the Honda RA300 debuted at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. This track perfectly suited the characteristics of the powerful but still slightly overweight Honda Grand Prix car. Surtees qualified ninth but gradually fought his way up to order, only to grab the lead on the very last lap. This was perfect timing for Surtees to claim his sixth and final Grand Prix win. Unfortunately, the final lap of the Italian Grand Prix would also be the only lap the one-off RA300 would lead.
Honda pressed the RA300 into service one more time in 1968, for the season opening South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Surtees placed eighth in this final outing for the car. It was superseded by the RA301, which was once again designed and constructed for Honda by Lola. This could do no better than a second at the French Grand Prix, where Jo Schlesser fatally crashed in the air-cooled, V8-engined RA302. This prompted the end of the Honda F1 program. It would take until 2006 that Honda would score a victory again as an entrant. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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The V12 used was a development of the engine introduced lated in 1966. This all aluminium unit featured twin overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder. The spectacular spaghetti exhausts were mounted inside the 90° 'V'. The intake ports were located between the camshafts, which also allowed for a very clean installation in the subframe. Honda claimed the V12 produced well over 400 bhp, which was about a match for the compacter and lighter Cosworth DFV V8 that was first raced in the summer of 1967.