Acura to Compete in the American Le Mans Series

Sunday, April 16. 2006

At the New York Auto Show, Acura celebrated its 20th Anniversary with the announcement that for the first time in its history, they will enter an international racing series as a full factory racing program. With the Acura brand on the verge of a global launch, the new LMP2 car will debut in the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2007.

The new engine will be designed by Honda Performance Development (HPD). HPD currently builds the engines for the Indy Racing League, and has powered the last two Indy 500 winners.

Acura will supply the engines for the LMP2 program, and as the program matures, there are plans for an Acura designed LMP1 chassis to earn an invitation to the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
Endurance racing is a challenge that Honda and Acura should excel at. The keys to success are reliability, fuel economy, and out right speed. All of these are traditional Honda/Acura virtues.

The Acura division currently provides cars and support for the Speed World Challenge Touring Car class and Real Time Racing. Our Integra Type-Rs and more recently our Acura TSXs have won both drivers and manufacturers titles championships. Back in the 90's, Acura sponsored the Camel Lights car of Parker Johnstone in the old IMSA series (below). This car ran a modified NSX engine and racked up 22 race wins in 38 starts including three championships, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.