Hinch and Honda hook up

Honda Canada has a history of support for Canadian Indy car drivers. For several years, the company provided sponsorship for Paul Tracy, even funding one-off rides for him in the Canadian races.

Since Tracy's withdrawal from the series a couple years ago, that support has taken a sabbatical – although Honda is the title sponsor of the two Canadian IndyCar races still on the schedule – The Honda Indy Toronto double-header weekend, on July 19 and 20, 2014.

Now it's back again in different form, as Honda Canada Honda Canada and James Hinchcliffe entered into a one year partnership that will see ‘Hinch’ working with Honda to promote the brand across Canada.

He will be featured in various Honda product advertising and promotions throughout the year, including the Honda Indy Toronto.

The announcement was made at the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) in Toronto, where Hinchcliffe emerged from behind the wheel of a new Honda Fit at its media debut.

While Hinchcliffe has been a prominent presence and one of the most popular drivers in the IndyCar series for the past couple years, he has been driving for the Andretti Autosport team, whose cars were powered by Chevrolet engines.

For the 2014 season, Andretti has switched to Honda powerplants, opening the door for the Hinchcliffe-Honda connection.

Hinchcliffe will drive the Honda-powered, #27 United Fiber & Data IndyCar during the 2014 season, which kicks-off in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 30.