By BAR F1 (11/10/2004)
October 11 2004

At the end of August, Honda staged one of the most exciting head-to-head races of all time at London City Airport and British TV viewers can catch all the action tonight - Monday 11 October. The unique event features three of Britain's top motor sport stars - Lucky Strike BAR Honda formula 1 driver Jenson Button, multiple World Class 1 Powerboat Champion Steve Curtis and British Superbike 2004 runner-up Michael Rutter. The trio all met at London City Airport to put their respective Honda-powered machines through their paces. This special showdown was set-up for the first programme in a new series of the popular Fifth Gear motoring programme to be screened on Channel 5 tonight at 20:30.

The top trio contested five 1/4 mile sprint races in the BAR Honda 005 F1 car, the Honda Formula 4- Stroke 225hp powerboat and the HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade motorcycle.

"Why did we do this?" asked Paul Ormond, Head of Press and PR, Honda (UK). "Because we can! Honda is the world's largest engine manufacturer and only Honda has the power to demonstrate its racing credentials on four wheels, two wheels and on water. It was fantastic to see our racers come together for a great demonstration of what it means to be Honda-powered."

"To blast down the runway in an F1 car was a bit surreal, especially with the bike alongside me," said Jenson Button. "The performance of the two was pretty similar to be honest, but Michael can do better wheelies than I can!"

"It wasn't much of a contest," laughed Steve Curtis, "but it was great fun. The boat was built with one-design powerboat racing in mind rather than competition against Formula 1 cars and British Superbike motorcycles and it shows! However, as I told Jenson and Michael, I'm the only person who has space for my friends in the back!"

"It was a really good day and underlines the breadth of Honda's racing and engineering activities," commented Michael Rutter. "Steve and Jenson are top stars in their sports and it was interesting to get a closer look and understanding of their machinery. I'd rather stick to my bike though!"