Denali : short-lived.

Pierre Honegger was a Swiss born immigrant, and a t rue believer in rotary powered cars. He was the initial Owner of Z and W Mazda in Princeton, N.J. The team fielded a Mazda RX3, back in the days for Ray Walle and Tom Reddy. The First GTP car powered by a Mazda engine was a Mazda GTP built by Holman and Moody. The car was built round a honeycomb-mfiberglass tub from a Chevron, added with various components. The next project was designed by Tim Abbott, and the car was really stunning. The design was changed to mid engine, and the car was entered at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1983. It sported prominent Mazda graphics and should be driven by Pierre Honegger, Walt Bohren and David Palmer. The car ended up eighth overall. However, the remainder of the season was filled with disappointments as the car never made it to the finish Line. The last race, held in Pocono, was run with David Loring, a driver who had early experience in race car design. His career was promising, but he had to go back to USA, lacking financial support. After a break in his Driving career, he was hired by Pierre Honegger. The car had to be lightened and a new body was built. But the car remained overweight, so the decision was made to build a new, lightweight racer. But it would not appear before 1985, so the Mazda GTP was campaigned in 1984. The car was sold to Frank Jellinek, who named it the Badger. The new GTP Lights Mazda entered the Watkins Glen race and immediately set the fastest lap time in Lights class. Starting dead last, David Loring had a forty second lead when he retired on lap 27. At Pocono, Pierre Honegger and David Loring took a second place in class. The 1986 season would see the car being developed by Tony Cicale and John Ward. The car was improved and lightened again, and renamed Denali. At Lime Rock, David Loring dominated the race and won easily. The team would get some support from Mazda, but the car was powered by a carbureted motor, and even given an injection system by Mazda, it was clear that the team was pulling out. Pierre Honegger wished to retire from racing and sold the car. The Denali story was over.

Pierre Honegger's Denali was a short lived car