Click for more, well, victories.
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) said today it has named Kelvin Fu as its next president, succeeding David Salters. Salters became president of then-Honda Performance Development (HPD) in 2020 and will leave HRC US to join a technology startup outside the motorsports industry.*
“When I joined HRC US, I never imagined that one day I would have the privilege of leading this extraordinary organization. I am truly humbled by the opportunity. Throughout my career at HPD and HRC US, I have been fortunate to work on a wide range of programs, from the development of the NSX GT3, Acura DPi race cars, and the LMDh engine and car to building lasting partnerships with our racing teams,” said Kelvin Fu, president HRC US.
“I want to sincerely thank David Salters for his leadership, friendship and mentorship. Dave challenged all of us to think bigger, move faster and never lose sight of the fact that we are competitors at heart. He is a true racer whose vision and commitment have helped shape HRC US into the world-class organization it is today, and his impact will be felt for many years to come.
“Looking ahead, I am excited about the future of HRC US. We recently renewed our commitment to IndyCar as the series continues to grow and strengthen its position in North American motorsports. Our new business ventures also position us to better serve Honda racing fans. We will remain committed to innovation, competition, and developing the people and technologies that define the future of motorsports. The Honda racing spirit has always been about challenging convention and pushing boundaries, and I look forward to leading HRC US as we write the next chapter of that story together,” said Fu.
Kelvin Fu Bio
- Fu has served in senior roles at HRC US, most recently as vice president, and helped lead the organization to four of its 17 Indianapolis 500 victories while in that position.
- Prior to joining Honda, Fu worked primarily in aerospace. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, followed by a PhD and postdoctoral appointment at the University of California, Berkeley, and another postdoctoral appointment at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Fu then moved to Los Angeles to join the defense and aerospace company HR Textron.
- At HR Textron, Fu served as an R&D engineer and advanced to product manager before moving to ITT Aerospace, where he became director of engineering.
David Salters Bio
- Salters joined HPD in 2015 as chief engineer and engine technical leader before becoming technical director in 2019. Prior to joining HPD, he held a series of roles in other high-profile racing programs, including head of internal combustion engine power unit development for the Ferrari Formula 1 program, head of Formula 1 engine development at Mercedes-Benz High-Performance Engines (formerly Ilmor), and development and design engineer for the CART Indy car program at Cosworth Racing Ltd.
- During his tenure, Salters oversaw three NTT IndyCar Series manufacturers’ championships and five drivers’ titles, in addition to securing the 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship teams’, drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles.
- Salters also pioneered the development and modernization of two electrified HRC US racing programs: the Acura ARX-06 IMSA LMDh car, launched for the 2023 season, and the current hybrid-powered Indy car, which debuted in 2024.
- Additionally, Salters oversaw the launch of the new HRC US business division, which includes apparel, performance parts and a recently announced heritage racing business that connects motorsports collectors with Honda and Acura heritage race cars.
“I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the marvelous men and women at Honda Racing Corporation USA, our racing teams and talented drivers. It has been an honor to work together to add to Honda’s racing history here in the US,” said David Salters. “Honda Racing gave me and my family the opportunity to come to California 11 years ago. We had the honor of becoming American citizens and have had the most amazing life experience as part of the Honda family.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Honda Racing – Kelvin Fu Replaces President David Salters
Click for more, well, victories.
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) said today it has named Kelvin Fu as its next president, succeeding David Salters. Salters became president of then-Honda Performance Development (HPD) in 2020 and will leave HRC US to join a technology startup outside the motorsports industry.*
“When I joined HRC US, I never imagined that one day I would have the privilege of leading this extraordinary organization. I am truly humbled by the opportunity. Throughout my career at HPD and HRC US, I have been fortunate to work on a wide range of programs, from the development of the NSX GT3, Acura DPi race cars, and the LMDh engine and car to building lasting partnerships with our racing teams,” said Kelvin Fu, president HRC US.
“I want to sincerely thank David Salters for his leadership, friendship and mentorship. Dave challenged all of us to think bigger, move faster and never lose sight of the fact that we are competitors at heart. He is a true racer whose vision and commitment have helped shape HRC US into the world-class organization it is today, and his impact will be felt for many years to come.
“Looking ahead, I am excited about the future of HRC US. We recently renewed our commitment to IndyCar as the series continues to grow and strengthen its position in North American motorsports. Our new business ventures also position us to better serve Honda racing fans. We will remain committed to innovation, competition, and developing the people and technologies that define the future of motorsports. The Honda racing spirit has always been about challenging convention and pushing boundaries, and I look forward to leading HRC US as we write the next chapter of that story together,” said Fu.
Kelvin Fu Bio
David Salters Bio
“I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the marvelous men and women at Honda Racing Corporation USA, our racing teams and talented drivers. It has been an honor to work together to add to Honda’s racing history here in the US,” said David Salters. “Honda Racing gave me and my family the opportunity to come to California 11 years ago. We had the honor of becoming American citizens and have had the most amazing life experience as part of the Honda family.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.