The ‘Coolest Thing Made in Alabama’ Is a Honda Odyssey Race Van

A Honda Odyssey has been crowned the “Coolest Thing Made in Alabama” in a statewide manufacturing competition, beating entries that included rocket engines and industrial pipe systems. The award, however, goes to a very specific build: a 2017 Honda Odyssey race van converted by the Honda of America Racing Team (HART) using volunteer time and minimal modifications. The van was stripped of its family-friendly interior—losing 1,600 pounds in the process—and fitted with a more track-focused suspension, larger brakes, and bigger wheels while retaining its factory V6 engine and transmission.

The result is a surprisingly capable track machine that competes in NASA events and the Gridlife Touring Cup, running in classes based on power-to-weight ratios. HART’s Karl Hertel told Business Alabama the build focused on practical upgrades rather than extensive fabrication: “The biggest changes are a more track-focused suspension, bigger brakes, and bigger wheels. It’s about 1,600 pounds lighter than a factory Odyssey.” The Odyssey race van was driven around the Autobahn Country Club by SavageGeese, where it impressed with its stability and playful handling despite its minivan roots.

In a lap-time comparison, it finished 41st overall, ahead of enthusiast cars like the Subaru BRZ tS, Subaru WRX, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and even a Honda Civic Si. The project underscores how a practical people-hauler can transform into a surprisingly fun performance machine with thoughtful, minimal modifications. The Odyssey, along with the Ridgeline, Passport, and Pilot, is manufactured at Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama plant, but this particular build was the brainchild of Honda employees volunteering their own time.