Horse Powertrain and SRB Launch Brazilian Pick-Up Racing
Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative, low-emission propulsion systems, and Sports & Racing Brazil (SRB) have announced a partnership to co-develop and supply competition engines for a new Brazilian motorsport category focused on pick-up truck racing.
The series will debut in the 2027 season and will run on both asphalt and dirt tracks, bringing new challenges for teams and fresh excitement for motorsport fans in Brazil. Organisers will field multi-brand entries and create close competition through shared technical foundations.
SRB will deliver a standardised chassis, while Horse Powertrain will supply the race engine. The partners will unveil the first vehicles in 2026 after completing a full testing programme, including an exhibition race that involves manufacturers, teams, and fans.
Teams will start with a variant of the HORSE H13 engine, a turbocharged 1.3-litre, four-cylinder unit built for flex-fuel performance, a common requirement in Brazil. Horse Powertrain designed the powertrain to maximise performance and reliability, while supporting ethanol-based racing that cuts well-to-wheel CO₂ emissions by around 70% compared with fossil fuels and reduces motorsport’s environmental footprint.
The HORSE H13 uses an innovative Delta-shaped cylinder head and an integrated exhaust manifold to keep the package compact and lightweight and to lower the centre of gravity. Advanced electronics actively control the turbo wastegate and exhaust valve, and an exclusive direct-injection system enhances efficiency while delivering strong power and torque.
Horse Powertrain builds the HORSE H13 engines for the new pick-up truck racing category at its Curitiba plant in Brazil, within the Horse Technologies division. The company developed the HORSE H13 with a sporting DNA and tuned it for the flexibility and durability that competition demands.
Thiago Marques, CEO of SRB, said:
“This project was born to meet a real demand for a pick-up truck racing category in Brazil, reflecting the continuous growth of this segment in the market. Our goal is to create a new and engaging category for manufacturers, teams, and fans, and our partnership with Horse Powertrain will be key to achieving this mission.”
Sports & Racing Brazil (SRB) leads technical development and competition vehicle manufacturing in Brazil and brings more than thirty years of experience across multiple racing categories. SRB connects manufacturers, teams, drivers, and brands, and it drives innovation, safety, and efficiency throughout Brazilian motorsport. The company already supports established platforms nationwide and now extends its reach through this partnership with Horse Powertrain.
Patrice Haettel, CEO of Horse Technologies, said: “For Horse Powertrain, entering Brazilian motorsport is a clear demonstration of who we are and what we can offer. Competition is the perfect environment to test technology, reliability, and performance, and doing so alongside SRB allows us to showcase the full capability of our HORSE H13 engine — produced right here in Brazil. This partnership combines two values we share in full: innovation and competitive spirit. Motorsport is a real and demanding laboratory, and we are proud to see the HORSE H13, manufactured locally, take centre stage.”