The Indy Racing League embarks on a new experience this weekend -- running outside the USA borders for the first time in its eight-year history. And the people who footed the bill for the spectacular Twin Ring Motegi track in Japan are hoping to change history.

Honda, which spent an estimated $70 million to create this motorsports mecca on top of a mountain about two hours outside Tokyo, was never been able to win its home race when CART competed here from 1998-2002.

	Kenny Brack won the CART race at Motegi in 2001.

Ford captured the first four CART shows before Toyota added insult to injury in winning a year ago.

With Honda and Toyota now in the IRL, the pressure for supremacy is even greater for the Japanese manufacturer that dominated CART from 1996-2001 but could never win in its backyard.

Former CART driver Tony Kanaan has already scored a victory in 2003 (Phoenix), in addition to capturing the pole at Homestead and Phoenix.

"I had one of the fastest cars with my Honda at Motegi last year before we broke down and we've been quick everywhere this season so I definitely feel good about our chances," Kanaan said.

"Motegi is such an amazing place to race and I'd like to get a win for Honda because they have been great to my career."

Michael Andretti and Kenny Brack, both CART winners at Japan, are two more of Honda's bullets along with former IRL champ Greg Ray, ex-CART regular Shinji Nakano and rookie Roger Yasukawa.

"All of us (Honda) drivers are well aware this is a big race for Honda and they don't want to get beat by Toyota again," said Brack, who scored his first CART win at Motegi in 2001 for Team Rahal.

"Obviously, (Tony) Kanaan won last month at Phoenix with a Honda and it's making plenty of power. Our problem has been getting a grip on our chassis and we're not there yet.

"But this would be a good place to get everything right and win. Honda might be so happy they'll give me a bonus."

Ray and Nakano are making their initial starts of 2003.

"I'm disappointed to have missed the first two rounds, but we've overcome our fair share of issues," said Ray, who is a co-owner of Access Motorsports. "It may take a race or two, or it may take 10, for everything to come together.

"We're small but we've got a competitive package and a David vs. Goliath mindset."

Toyota won the season opener with Scott Dixon and has proved to be every bit as quick as Honda so far as they've both out-distanced the Chevrolet.

"We've had the fastest car in the first two races and that gives us a lot of confidence we can win any race this year," said Dixon, who dropped out with mechanical problems last month at Phoenix.

"The hard work Toyota and Team Target have done is really paying off and hopefully we can make it two straight for Toyota."

Team Penske sports a new look as Alex Barron is subbing for the injured Gil de Ferran, who suffered fractures of his neck and back at Phoenix and is on sidelines until at least next month. Barron drove for Penske once before (in 1999) as a sub but that's when The Captain had the wrong tire, engine and chassis.

"For sure it's the best opportunity I've ever had in open wheel and I just flattered Roger (Penske) called me," said Barron, whose IRL ride folded after being victorious last summer at Nashville for Blair Racing. "It's only a one-race deal but maybe if I have a good result it can lead to something else."

Chevrolet's hopes ride with two-time IRL champ Sam Hornish Jr., who has yet to lead a lap in 2003 and crashed out of the last race at Phoenix.

All the drivers who previously competed at Motegi while in CART love the layout.

"Motegi is really fast and has two different corners," said Brack, who earned his first CART win at Japan in 2001. "Turns 1 and 2 are really one big fast corner with banking. Turns 3 and 4 are less banked and a little tricky.

Added Barron: "The track is challenging because of the elevation change from one end to the other. We go 'downhill' on the front straight and 'uphill' on the backstraight. And we had to downshift going into Turn 3 in a champ car."

Dario Franchitti, a teammate to Kanaan and Andretti, will also miss this weekend's race after injuring his back in a motorcycle accident during a family visit in Scotland. Rookie Dan Wheldon, a test driver for Andretti Green, will take Franchitti's place.