Bracknell, UK – 2 July 2026 - Honda Marine UK has announced that it is backing long-standing dealer Tonto Marine's sponsorship of 66 Racing for the 2026 offshore powerboat season.
Under the partnership, Honda Marine is providing technical support for the twin Honda BF350 V8 outboards powering the squad's race boat, with a clear purpose to learn how the fuel efficient, high-torque, high-horsepower outboards perform in one of the most demanding tests in the sport.
The Honda Marine team’s expertise has already proved critical for the 66 Racing setup during installation of the engines, and initial testing and optimisation, demonstrating Honda’s flexible approach to adapting various outboard packages to suit a range of commercial, leisure and racing applications.
The pinnacle of the 66 Racing team's 2026 campaign is the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes on 30 August — the longest-running offshore powerboat race in the world, first held in 1961, and a genuine benchmark for any serious offshore racing programme. The 210-mile course along the south coast of England, from the Isle of Wight to Torquay and back, exposes crews and machinery to the full force of the English Channel.
Tonto Marine will be supporting 66 Racing throughout their campaign, with their technical expertise and the reliability of the flagship Honda BF350 V8s central to the team's preparation.
Results have been encouraging during the early tests. Running at speeds of up to 70mph during the recent Poole Bay 100, the Honda engines were estimated to have consumed approximately half the fuel of the team's previous package, pointing to the inherent efficiency of Honda's four-stroke technology, even as the team continues to optimise the propeller selection, engine height and complete setup across the season.
Mick Horsfall, Head of Business Planning, Honda Marine UK, said: "Our relationship with Tonto Marine goes back many years so we are delighted to take this first step back into racing with a trusted partner. What this collaboration gives us is genuine race data, real-world feedback on durability and performance, and an opportunity to benefit from the valuable learnings that can arise from these challenging situations where the engines can take a real battering.
“As a company and as a brand, we are extremely flexible, adaptable and approachable, willing to tailor our outboard packages for a range of applications, from leisure, to commercial, to racing – and this opportunity is a perfect example of that versatility. We are excited to develop our products alongside people who demand the absolute best from an engine."
Honda has an impressive heritage in competitive marine motorsport, having been involved in the Formula Four Stroke Association (F4SA) racing series until 2009.
The 'Ocean Village Cup' Offshore Powerboat race will take place this weekend 3rd / 4th July which will see teams competing for the third round of the 2026 UKOPRA Championships.
For further information, please contact:
Joanne Beattie
PR & Marketing Specialist
Honda Marine UK
📞 Tel: +44 (0)7771 334151
✉️ joanne.beattie@honda-eu.com
Karen Bartlett
Client Relationship Manager
Saltwater
Tel: +44 (0) 1202 669244
k.bartlett@saltwater-comms.com
About Honda Marine
With over 60 years of innovation, Honda Marine leads the marine industry with reliable, high-performance outboard engines. Our engines combine impressive power with fuel efficiency, using advanced technology to minimise consumption and emissions. We're committed to engineering excellence which ensures exceptional performance in diverse environments. That's why we're the preferred choice for boating enthusiasts.
For more information, visit 🔗 www.honda.co.uk/marine
