Seeking to underscore the performance potential of the all-new 2006 Honda Civic Si, Honda announced today it will campaign two in the annual "25 Hours of Thunderhill" endurance race on December 3 and 4. Billed as the "most severe endurance race on the planet," the 25 Hours of Thunderhill will mark the first time the 2006 Civic Si will compete in a sanctioned motorsports event.

Cars in the race will be piloted by two teams of four drivers comprised of Honda associates from its various North American operations, and two members of the automotive media.

Engineers from Honda R&D Americas in Ohio built the cars to National Auto Sport Association (NASA) U.S. Touring Car Championship specs in an effort to demonstrate the performance capability of the Si's new chassis architecture and powertrain. Each will be outfitted with a race-prepped 2.0-liter engine, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup competition tires, custom intake by AEM, exhaust components by DC Sports and adjustable rear spoiler and H&R Racing Suspension.

"This project is an expression of the racing spirit that exists within Honda," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "These are the same engineers that developed the street version of the Civic Si, and they are true enthusiasts eager to validate its performance credibility on the track."

Honda has already established a successful track record at the Thunderhill competition. Last year, a nearly stock Acura TL in race trim (built and driven by engineers from Honda R&D Americas) won its class and finished third overall.

The Civic Si serves as the performance halo for the line of all-new 2006 Civics, offering a 197-horsepower, DOHC 2.0-liter i-VTEC(TM) engine connected to a 6-speed manual transmission and a limited slip differential. Newly designed inside and out, the 2006 Civic Si represents an extreme transformation of power and performance, adding significantly more horsepower, improved handling and emotional styling. The 2006 Civic Si is scheduled to go on sale next month.