Go to Ultimatecarpage.com

 lmp Ultimatecarpage.com  > Cars by brand  > Japan  > HPD
Racing cars  > LMP
     ARX-01c
Car search:
Quick Advanced 


  HPD ARX-01c      

  Article Image gallery (39) Specifications  
Click here to open the HPD ARX-01c gallery   
Country of origin:Japan
Produced in:2010
Numbers built:At least 2
Designed by:Wirth Research for Honda Performance Development
Predecessor:Acura ARX-01b
Successor:HPD ARX-01d
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:April 16, 2010
Download: All images
Page 1 of 2 Next >>
Click here to download printer friendly versionIn the fall of 2006 the Honda Motor Company surprised the endurance racing world by announcing an all new American Le Mans Series program for their Acura brand. Of all major Japanese manufacturers Honda had by far the least experience with sportscar racing, so it looked like a very tall mountain for the company to climb. Their choice to enter the smaller LMP2 class seemed logical at first glance, but it did mean that they would have to take on the combined might of Porsche and Roger Penske. Fortunately Honda Performance Developments (HPD) realised this and came up with an unconventional plan of attack, which, as it turned out, worked remarkably well.

Instead of taking the plunge all by themselves, Acura Motorsports decided to acquire existing chassis from a specialized manufacturer. Actually not one, but two; Courage and Lola. It was decided that the Courage 'LC70' tub would form the basis for the Acura badged car and was extensively modified before ever entering a race. The Lola B05/40 received the latest updates from the British company and then was left virtually unmodified throughout the 2007 season for a very good reason. It would serve as the rolling test bed for the engine development program. Based on a rejected IRL design, this 3.4 litre V8 engine was also not brand new.

Very early in the program Acura contracted three experienced teams to run the cars in 2007; Andretti Green Racing, Duncan Dayton's Highcroft and Fernandez Motorsport. The first two were handed the Acura badged machines, while Adrian Fernandez received the Acura engined Lola. The first public appearance of the three 'Acuras' came at the official test in preparation for the season opening Sebring 12 Hours race. Now known as the Acura ARX-01a, the two Courage based cars featured a distinctly different aero dynamics package developed by Wirth Research in England. The most obvious change was the front section with the brake cooling intakes moved from under the nose to right next to the fenders.

Maybe not against all odds, but certainly unexpectedly, the Acuras performed very well at their debut. Often described as the most demanding of all endurance races, the Sebring 12 Hours was a major success for the Japanese manufacturer. As the seasoned Porsche opposition faltered, the Andretti Green team finished second overall and scored the LMP2 class win. Two laps behind the Fernandez Lola clinched second in class and third overall. It was a fantastic start to the season, but in the following and much shorter races, the fully developed Porsche RS Spyder and the highly experienced Team Penske proved too much for the Acuras to beat. They did come close at various occasions.

Page 1 of 2 Next >>

  Article Image gallery (39) Specifications