Acura ARX-02a
Encyclopedia
The Acura ARX-02a is a Le Mans Prototype
constructed by Acura
for competition in the LMP1 category of the American Le Mans Series
. It is Acura's second Le Mans Prototype, following their ARX-01
which competed in the LMP2 category.
Nick Wirth concentrated on generating as much mechanical grip to overcome the power deficit. Rear tires are now fitted onto the front of the car, increasing the contact patch by 7%. Very large diveplanes are fitted onto the front and suspension are shrouded in the narrow entry to the body. 2009 rear wing regulations reduced the width compared to the year prior.
and Highcroft Racing
, and made its competition debut at the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring
. Gil de Ferran put his Acura on pole position at Sebring, ahead of all the diesels. Within the first corner he gave up the spot to Allan McNish in the Audi. Further time were lost in traffic due to lack of diesel-torque. Neither Acura finished the race due to mechanical issues.
Throughout the ALMS, the Acura gained overall wins until Petit Le Mans. In all of the races the bigger tyres took longer to warm up than most competitors, resulting in nearly an off at the first corner. Scott Sharp crashed heavily at Petit Le Mans and spend the next 24 hours rebuilding the car, with assistance from de Ferran. At the final race at Laguna Seca, Gil de Ferran won a hard-fought battle with the Fernandez ARX-01.
In 2010 de Ferran closed shop and Highcroft abandoned the car, ending the competitive career of the ARX-02. Highcroft went back to campaigning an updated version of the existing ARX-01e for the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring
in which the finished second before Acura pulled the plug on the program prior to any further 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup
races.
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
constructed by Acura
Acura
Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. The brand has been available in the United States and Canada since March 1986, marketing luxury, performance, and near-performance vehicles. It was introduced to Hong Kong in 1991, Mexico in 2004, and China in 2006...
for competition in the LMP1 category of the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
. It is Acura's second Le Mans Prototype, following their ARX-01
Acura ARX-01
The Acura ARX-01 is a Le Mans Prototype built for sports car racing, specifically in the American Le Mans Series. It is the first purpose-built race car by the Acura division of Honda Motor Company, part of their multi-year program to eventually compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race...
which competed in the LMP2 category.
Development
Unlike the ARX-01, the ARX-02 is a bespoke LMP designed entirely by Acura. HPD had already cut the budget for the 2009 season, so Acura had no choice but to develop the existing V8. The original 3.4L V8 was expanded to 4 liters for more power, although under LMP1 regulations the engine will need to rev higher at the sacrifice of reliability.Nick Wirth concentrated on generating as much mechanical grip to overcome the power deficit. Rear tires are now fitted onto the front of the car, increasing the contact patch by 7%. Very large diveplanes are fitted onto the front and suspension are shrouded in the narrow entry to the body. 2009 rear wing regulations reduced the width compared to the year prior.
Racing History
The ARX-02a were campaigned by two teams, de Ferran MotorsportGil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran , is a professional racing driver and team owner. De Ferran was the 2000 and 2001 Champ Car champion driving for the Penske Honda Team and the winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500.Inspired by the success of fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi, de Ferran began his career in kart racing...
and Highcroft Racing
Highcroft Racing
Highcroft Racing is an American auto racing team based out of Danbury, Connecticut and founded by driver Duncan Dayton in 1989. Initially founded for Dayton's involvement in historic motorsport, specifically the restoration and preparation of classic automobiles, the team was expanded for Dayton's...
, and made its competition debut at the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring
2009 12 Hours of Sebring
The 2009 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring was the 57th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring and the opening round of the 2009 American Le Mans Series season. It took place at the Sebring International Raceway, Florida on March 21, 2009...
. Gil de Ferran put his Acura on pole position at Sebring, ahead of all the diesels. Within the first corner he gave up the spot to Allan McNish in the Audi. Further time were lost in traffic due to lack of diesel-torque. Neither Acura finished the race due to mechanical issues.
Throughout the ALMS, the Acura gained overall wins until Petit Le Mans. In all of the races the bigger tyres took longer to warm up than most competitors, resulting in nearly an off at the first corner. Scott Sharp crashed heavily at Petit Le Mans and spend the next 24 hours rebuilding the car, with assistance from de Ferran. At the final race at Laguna Seca, Gil de Ferran won a hard-fought battle with the Fernandez ARX-01.
In 2010 de Ferran closed shop and Highcroft abandoned the car, ending the competitive career of the ARX-02. Highcroft went back to campaigning an updated version of the existing ARX-01e for the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring
2011 12 Hours of Sebring
The 59th Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida was held at Sebring International Raceway on March 19, 2011. It was the opening round of the 2011 American Le Mans Series season and the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.-Qualifying Result:...
in which the finished second before Acura pulled the plug on the program prior to any further 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup
2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup
The 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup was the second and final running of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, an international auto racing championship for manufacturers and teams. The Cup will feature endurance races from the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, and...
races.