*translated from a French language post by MaxMarcel

The series FORMULA TOUR 1600 Inc. is pleased to announce a technical change with the arrival of the new, modern 1500cc Honda Fit engine, specially developed by Honda Performance Development. Formula Tour 1600 Series Inc. announces that the Honda Fit 1500cc engine will be allowed for 2012.

More than 61 drivers registered to compete in Formula Tour 1600 in 2011, with an average attendance of more than 35 cars. The new, modern Honda engine will be allowed at each of its 12 races over 6 weekends in 2012. The Ford Kent engine will continue. This engine will always be part of F1600, and will probably continue to be used in most of the chassis. But the more modern Honda engine will be really good to attract new racers coming into the series, from karting and elsewhere. From 2012, the Ford Kent engine will have competition from the Honda Fit for sure.This link between Formula Tour 1600 and Honda/HPD Los Angeles -- already well known for their successful IndyCar engines -- is part of the development strategy the series wants to put forward for the next five years. The questions of some regarding interest in our series can now disappear because they have the choice of two engines. This is a very good news for people who have no interest into Ford Kent engine.

The main specifications / specicications:

	Ford KENT	Honda L15A7 (Fit)
Displacement	1600	1500
Intake	Carburetor	Throttle Body, Restricted
Valve	8	16
Cam Location	Block	Head
Charging	n/a	Alternator
Block Material	Fe	Al
Head Material	Al	Al
HP	115 hp	115 hp
TORQUE	112 ft/lbs.	112 ft/lbs.
Max RPM	7000	6800
Management System	n/a	Honda ECU
Approximate Prices	$12,000	$15,000
Minimum Maintenance	1 Year	3 Years

RESTRICTION: The Honda Fit MUST use a restrictor of 30.5 mm and is original (all parts) and no changes are allowed. This plate is given by Formula Tour / restrictor plate of 30.5 mm IS mandatory for Honda Fit. This one Will Be supply by Formula Tour.Motor sealed: avoid inspection by race and may be done by preparers include: Quicksilver, Britain West, Mortimer Racing, Remillard. This option is not mandatory / Seal engine IS RECOMMENDED Eliminate tech inspection and purpose It is not mandatory.

For more information please contact the Formula Tour Series at 819-350-9750.

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Already a success in the U.S., the Honda Formula F engine will be introduced to Canadian racing in 2012, as the 1.5-liter Honda Fit-based power plant has been approved for competition in both the Quebec-based Formula Tour 1600 series and the Ontario Formula Ford Championship.

Developed in 2009 as a modern alternative to the long-out-of-production 1.6-liter Ford “Kent” engine, the Honda Formula F engine is based on the L15A7 engine found in the 2009 and newer Honda Fit. It features a modern, fuel-injected design with superior service life, improved parts availability and lower operating costs.

Equipped with a Honda-developed Engine Control Unit (ECU) and 30.5mm air inlet restrictor, it is designed to match Kent engine performance figures and can be installed in a wide variety of new and existing Formula F chassis.

More than 50 Honda-powered Formula Fs can now be found competing in SCCA Club Racing and two separate SCCA-sanctioned professional race series: The F1600 Formula F Championship Series and the Pacific Formula F Super Series.

In Canada, a total of 61 racers took part in the 2011 Formula Tour 1600 Series at circuits including the historic Mont Tremblant, the Trois-Rivieres street circuit and as a supporting event for the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

In the neighboring province to the west, the 14-race Ontario Formula Ford Championship featured up-and-coming stars such as Trent Hindman and Mikhail Goikhberg in 2011, as the young drivers tested their skills against veteran open-wheel competitors. Canadian IndyCar stars Scott Goodyear and Paul Tracy are both graduates of the series.

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