AUGUST 20, 2025

 

(MotoGP.com)

Marquez battles past Bezzecchi to end Red Bull Ring winless streak. The No. 93 doubles up for the sixth weekend in a row as Aldeguer and Bezzecchi claim Austrian GP podiums. The Red Bull Ring jinx is over for Marc Marquez (No. 93 Ducati Lenovo Team) as for the sixth time on the spin, the runaway MotoGP title race leader clinched maximum points. His path to the BWIN Grand Prix of Austria victory wasn’t a simple one though, as eventual third-place finisher Marco Bezzecchi (No. 72 Aprilia Racing) led for large parts before rookie star Fermin Aldeguer (No. 54 BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), the Sunday silver medalist, mounted pressure on Marquez in the closing stages. Neither was able to stop Marquez from winning MotoGP's 1000th race, however. Watch the Race Highlights here. (Thank you to MotoGP.com)

(Honda images)

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is releasing a premium scale model of the legendary Honda RA272 (chassis #103) Formula One race car – honoring the very car that won Honda its first F1 victory at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix. This meticulously crafted collector's item, produced in partnership with Amalgam Collection features authentic painted livery, hand-built bodywork and more than 1,600  precisely engineered parts including a fully replicated Honda V12 engine.

The RA272 model will be available in two sizes: 1:8 scale (shown), limited to just 30 examples ($28,995 USD, price subject to change), and 1:18 scale limited to 300 ($1,735 USD, price subject to change). Each model will be accompanied by a bespoke display case, certificate of authenticity and commemorative booklet signed by Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe. Both will be available for purchase during Monterey Car Week, at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 15-16.

Founded in 1985, Amalgam Collection produces unrivalled examples of the world's most iconic and luxurious cars at scale made using the finest quality materials. The Amalgam team traveled to the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan to get accurate digital scans of the original car which allowed them to perfectly recreate every detail at scale. In total, more than 4,500 hours were spent developing the model, with each one taking 450 hours to build.

"This RA272 model is more than a tribute, it's an invitation to own a piece of our motorsport history. Racing is deeply embedded in the DNA of Honda, and this model is a reminder where our success began." – Koji Watanabe, President, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC)

"We are so excited to offer this unique piece of Honda racing history to the fans. The RA272 model is a great addition to the growing HRC collectibles and we can't wait for people to see it in person during Monterey Car Week." – Meliza Humphrey, General Manager, Merchandise and Memorabilia, HRC US

RA272 Scale Model Details

• The patterns for the model were created using extraordinarily accurate digital scans captured in the Honda Collection Hall and hundreds of in period photographs of the original car during the 1965 season and specifically as raced in the Mexico GP
• The patterns were used to create silicon rubber molds that capture every detail. 
• Prototyping resin has been used to cast the parts from the silicon molds. Around 20 to 30 parts can be cast from each mold before a new one must be created.
• Each 1:8 scale model is built from 1600 parts including castings, photo-etchings and CNC machined metal components.
• Genuine car paints and archive color references were used to spray the bodywork.
• In total, around 4,500 hours were required to develop the tooling for the 1:8 scale model and 450 hours to cast, fit, fettle, paint and build each model.

About the RA272
Engineered for Honda's sophomore season in Formula 1 racing, the RA272 replaced the RA271. Work on the V-12 began in 1962, before Honda had even sold a single car, by a team of motorcycle engineers led by Soichiro Honda himself. The RA272 was noted for its technically advanced 1.5-litre V12 engine producing 230HP, which was the most powerful engine in the sport at the time. The transverse-mounted engine was capable of 12,000 screaming rpms and was renowned for its innovative engineering. During the 1965 F1 season, Honda was only in its 2nd year of automobiles business. The seemingly reckless challenge symbolized Honda's corporate culture of setting high goals and boldly taking on new challenges. The Honda mid-engine RA272 shocked the world in October 1965 when it won the Mexico Grand Prix. The models are crafted to specifically show the chassis RA272F-103 as it was raced to victory by Richie Ginther. This was a car that changed history with that victory, as the first Japanese car, engine and team to win in F1. The RA272's achievement inspired a new era of global respect for Japanese automotive technology and underscored Honda's commitment to innovation and excellence on the world stage.

Editor's Note: This is our dearly departed billboard, which we had at Road America for several years. Peter gifted the phrase "America's National Park of Speed" to the track, which now uses it proudly in all of its communications. -WG

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG