It's an interesting project car that has Matt's (i.e., Hondata's) hands on it.

They've allowed it into H1; however, I do not think it will be competitive for quite some time. It's basically huge compared to the winning H1 cars, and there are also multitudinous stress problems with parts put to uses for which they were not designed.

The TL was designed to completely different standards, and parts break that wouldn't break on other Hondas. I am sure they'll work it out so that it lasts, but it's still huge and I really don't think it's going to be winning races anytime soon.

Like the other high horsepower cars in H1, the Acura TL can only be modified with H2 specs, not the usual H1 specs, so they are stuck with stock cams, stock pistons, etc. The Honda Challenge rules also say that if something's not specifically mentioned as a possible modification, it's not allowed. They're even stuck with the stock Acura brake rotors and calipers.

If they went beyond H2 rules with their modifications, Honda Challenge might still allow the car to race, but not for trophies or points, and the driver would have to be someone they trusted to be out there with their huge fast car in the middle of the little 70 HP CRX H5 cars.

As a developmental vehicle for Hondata and the other sponsors, all I can say is that it's good to see a car like that out there and being developed even though there's not much chance it'll be winning races.