It was an impressive debut on and off the track this week for the all-new Acura ARX-02a prototype sports cars in pre-season testing for the 10-race 2009 American Le Mans Series.
The anticipated launch of Acura’s latest racing vehicle saw a large crowd of media and ALMS associates in attendance Monday night for the debut of the two Acura ARX-02a machines from de Ferran Motorsports and Patrón Highcroft Racing at the Sheraton Four Points ballroom, next to the legendary Sebring International Raceway.
The presentation by Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Wirth Research officials left many onlookers open-mouthed by the elaborate design and detail of the two ALMS LMP1 class newcomers. The ARX-02a cars are Acura’s first entries into the LMP1 division, after two successful years in LMP2.
In addition, the HPD and Wirth officials removed the front and rear bodywork from the new cars for a close-up view of the suspension and 4-liter, normally-aspirated V-8 engine. This type of access is almost unheard of in world sports-car competition.
After the media unveiling, the two Acura prototypes set sail on the fast but tough 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring road circuit, and the cars didn’t disappoint on the difficult tarmac.
Young French star Simon Pagenaud wheeled the No. 66 XM Radio de Ferran Acura ARX-02a machine under the official track pole record Tuesday with a clocking of one minute, 44.814 seconds and an average speed of 127.082 miles per hour, bettering the old mark set by Audi’s Marco Werner in 2007 at 126.889 m.p.h.
The initial sessions continue to evaluate the new Acura in a variety of testing activities, including chassis and engine readings and improvements.
David Brabham, the only ALMS driver to win races in all four classes, drove the No. 9 Patrón Highcroft Acura ARX-02a to a speed of 125.475 in testing, while Adrian Fernandez was best in the LMP2 division at 125.023 in the Lowe’s Acura ARX-01b.
All three Acura cars will be entered in the 57th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, set for Saturday, March 21.
