Tuesday, AUGUST 26, 2025 |
Photo – Planes parked at Saratoga Airport – Courtesy Saratoga Jet Center
Honda plans to conduct high-altitude testing at Shively Field next month.
During the August 19th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Saratoga Jet Center Manager Larry De Andredes announced that Honda Racing Corporation reached out to him with a request to use the airport runway. The team plans to test its racecars at high elevations. De Andredes said he was quick to agree to the request.
Honda Racing Corporation is the motorsport subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company. The organization participates in a variety of two- and four-wheeled motorsports, including MotoGP and the INDYCAR series.
De Andredes said he believes Honda Racing Corporation is preparing for next year’s INDYCAR or IMSA SportsCar Championship season. Saratoga’s airport provides an ideal location for high-altitude testing.
De Andredes said Honda plans to bring three tractor-trailers of equipment along with two test cars. The racing team will set up on one of the airport’s parking ramps. The Saratoga Jet Center Manager said over the course of three days, September 30th to October 2nd, the Honda Racing team will perform a series of high-speed tests along the runway.
De Andredes said Honda Racing Corporation conducts testing at airports across the country, including the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The details of the arrangement haven’t been finalized, but De Andredes said the Honda team may request police and fire personnel to be present during the testing. The organization has offered to cover any costs incurred by the town.
De Andredes said Honda Racing Corporation is aware that Shively Field will remain open during the event. The Jet Center Manager added that pilots will be notified of the testing and he will monitor radio traffic to ensure everyone is aware of the activities.
Presumably, the Honda team will be asked to clear the runway when a pilot requests permission to land.
Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the public would be able watch the testing. De Andredes responded that Honda Racing Corporation may not want to call attention to the event. However, the Jet Center Manager said people should be able to spectate from the airport parking lot.
De Andredes said he didn’t know how Honda found out about the Saratoga airport.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to allow Honda Racing Corporation to use Shively Field for high-altitude testing from Tuesday, September 30th, to Thursday, October 2nd. De Andredes offered to update the governing body as he learns more about the event.
