B.A.R. Honda joins National Motor Museum Collection

The latest F1 racer to go on display at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, is the 2004 B.A.R. Honda driven during the 2004 race season by Takuma Sato. The Japanese F1 racing driver made a detour on his way to Goodwood last week to unveil his car in front of a delighted audience of Beaulieu visitors and a contingent of his loyal Japanese fans. Alongside the car is a display of racing clothing worn by Taku during the 2004 season, together with a number of items from his personal collection.

Launching the displays with Taku was Lord Montagu who said: “I would like to thank Takuma very much for his generous loan of these fantastic exhibits. We are honoured to have him here at Beaulieu.”

Designed by Geoff Willis, the 006 featured a 3,000cc V10 Honda F1 RA004 engine, probably the most powerful engine in the pit lane at the time. For 2004, B.A.R. had developed into an outstanding and competitive team. The season was, however, dominated by the Ferrari drivers, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello who between them won 15 out of 18 races. Jenson Button ended the season in third and helped B.A.R. to second place in the Championship, albeit 143 points behind Ferrari.

Takuma Sato began his racing career as a top class cyclist before moving into motor sport and after winning the British F3 Championship in 2001 made his F1 debut with the Jordan team in 2002. He joined B.A.R. the following year as a test driver but replaced Jacques Villeneuve for the final race in Japan, finishing sixth. In 2004, he secured a full-time drive, regularly challenging for the top five positions and ended the season eighth with a total of 34 points.

He moved to the newly created all-Japanese team Super Aguri for 2006-2008.

This car is presented in the correct technical specification and exact livery run at the USA Grand Prix in which Takuma scored his first F1 career podium. After starting from third on the grid, Taku ran strongly throughout the race, overtaking many drivers in his customary style and achieved the second-ever podium for a Japanese driver by coming third at the United States Grand Prix.

Taku is the most successful Japanese F1 racer ever and maintains a strong Japanese and International fan following.