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2006 Acura ALMS

Acura will enter the 2007 American Le Mans Series, initially competing in the LMP2 class, company officials announced today. This will mark Acura's first factory motorsports program in the 20-year history of the company.

An Acura-powered endurance racing prototype will make its competition debut at the 55th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March of 2007, racing against manufacturer-supported efforts from Audi, Porsche and Mazda, and a variety of well-equipped privateer teams.

'As Acura marks its 20-year anniversary, I can't think of a better racing series to showcase our technology and performance than the American Le Mans Series,' said John Mendel, senior vice president, Auto Operations. 'Our entry as a full factory team in the American Le Mans Series will accurately reflect Acura's position as a leader in automotive performance and technology, and provide us with an arena in which to compete against other manufacturers in endurance sports car racing.'

2006 Acura ALMSThe American Le Mans Series draws on the heritage of long-distance 'endurance' sports car racing in both Europe and the Únited States as exemplified by the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 10-race domestic series includes the 12 Hours of Sebring - a Ú.S. fixture since 1952 - plus events at the country's premier road circuits, including Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Laguna Seca, Lime Rock Park and Road Atlanta.

Sports car competition in the American Le Mans Series features multi-class racing of high-tech sports car prototypes and production-based Grand Touring machinery, with both factory-entered manufacturer teams and relentless privateers battling for victory. State-of-the-art technology and engineering, in everything from electronics to aerodynamics to fuel efficiency, are keys to success in the Series. Manufacturers currently fielding teams include Volkswagen/Audi, Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, Lexus, Aston Martin, Panoz and Chevrolet.

The American Le Mans Series is one of the fastest-growing racing series in the Ú.S., with a rapidly growing fan base attending the events and watching on television. Five of the 10 races in 2006 will be broadcast by CBS, with the remaining five events and Le Mans telecast on the cable/satellite SPEED network, including a prime-time season finale at Laguna Seca.

'We are delighted to have Acura join the American Le Mans Series,' said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the Series.

The new Acura American Le Mans Series program will feature the first racing engine completely designed and developed in-house by Honda Performance Development of (HPD) Santa Clarita, California, American Honda's wholly-owned racing subsidiary. It will mark the first time HPD has taken on multiple concurrent motorsports programs in both the American Le Mans Series and the Indy Racing League.

Acura will take part in the full American Le Mans Series schedule, while at the same time Honda continues its long-standing participation in the Indy Racing League, supplying the entire IndyCar Series field with Honda Indy V-8 engines.

'We're looking forward with great anticipation to entering the American Le Mans Series,' said Robert Clarke, president of Honda Performance Development. 'In addition to returning Acura to the international racing stage against other innovative automotive manufacturers, it allows us to continue to grow HPD into a world-class performance company.

2006 Acura ALMS
In 2007, the Acura race program will feature HPD-designed and developed engines, and chassis from multiple manufacturers, including Lola Cars International, Ltd., of England, and Courage of France. After initial competition in the LMP2 class, plans call for the development of an Acura LMP1 chassis and engine package to compete in the American Le Mans Series, and earn an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.


Honda Performance Development was founded in 1993 as the wholly owned racing subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. It has served as the technical operations center for Honda's IndyCar engine program. HPD last year opened a new, 123,000-square-foot headquarters to increase the company's racing manufacturing, research and development capacities.

Acura previously participated in the International Motor Sports Association in the early 1990s, providing sponsorship and additional support for the Comptech Racing team in the Camel Lights division. Although not a full factory effort, Comptech and lead driver Parker Johnstone won three consecutive class titles from 1991-93 in an Acura-powered Spice chassis, with 22 race wins in 38 starts, including the historic 12 Hours of Sebring in 1993. In addition, Acura has supported the multiple championship-winning efforts of Peter Cunningham and Real Time Racing in SCCA World Challenge/Speed TV competition.

Testing of the Acura-powered American Le Mans Series cars will begin this summer, with drivers and teams to be announced in the near future.

Source - Acura

ACURA ENTERING AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES IN 2007

2006 Acura ALMS
Marking one of the most significant manufacturer announcements in the history of the American Le Mans Series, the Acura division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced plans to enter the Series in 2007 with a factory prototype program.2006 Acura ALMS
The Acura prototype initiative is the first factory motorsports program for Acura, the luxury brand of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in its 20-year history. Multiple Acura-powered LMP2 entries will make their competition debut at the 55th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring to start the American Le Mans Series season in March of 2007.

2006 Acura ALMS
Acura's race program will feature engines designed and developed by Honda Performance Development mated with chassis from some of the world's most prestigious manufacturers including Lola from England and Courage of France.


2006 Acura ALMSRecognizing the leading-edge technology and manufacturer involvement present in the Series, the Acura-related announcement adds yet another world-class manufacturer into the American Le Mans Series ranks. The Series is the only sports car platform to offer such competitive diversity on the worldwide stage. When the 2007 American Le Mans Series season opens, Acura will stand alongside marques including Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Lexus, Mazda, Panoz, Porsche and Saleen on the grid that boasts more than 10 of the world's elite automobile manufacturers competing head-to-head.

'The American Le Mans Series has always featured factory involvement from the most prestigious collection of auto manufacturers in the world. Today, it is with great pride that we welcome Acura,' said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. 'Our platform features world-class manufacturers showcasing their products in one of the most extreme, but relevant forms of motorsports – endurance sports car racing. Acura has done exhaustive research and has confirmed that the American Le Mans Series is the premium brand of motorsports and involvement in the Series is the best way to display its technology and innovation to our upscale and affluent audience.

'This news is the culmination of many years of hard work by all involved,' Atherton added. 'While there still are some details to be worked out, Acura's entry into the American Le Mans Series will have nothing but positive repercussions in the seasons to come. Acura has made a commitment to us, and we are committed to seeing that Acura receives the same return on its investment as our other teams and manufacturers. This is the start of a wonderful relationship that is only going to grow stronger.'


Acura's announcement is the latest in what has been a succession of major announcements regarding manufacturer and team involvement in the American Le Mans Series. What started with the announcements of Porsche's return with a factory-backed prototype and Mazda's return to professional sports car racing has been followed by news of Penske Racing's involvement, BMW's return, new Dyson Racing Lolas, a new factory Lexus effort, the new diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI, the return of Ferrari with its F430GT and a new Radical LMP2; the good news just keeps coming.

'As Acura marks its 20-year anniversary, I can't think of a better racing series to showcase our technology and performance than the American Le Mans Series,' said John Mendel, senior vice president of Honda Automobile Operations. 'Our entry as a full factory team in the American Le Mans Series will accurately reflect Acura's position as a leader in automotive performance and technology, and provide us with an arena to compete against other manufacturers in endurance sports car racing.'

Advanced technology and cutting-edge innovation are the hallmarks of Honda Performance Development, which will manufacture the engine for the Acura prototype program. The 3.4-liter, aluminum alloy V8 powerplant will be the first completely designed and developed in-house by Honda Performance Development, which serves as American Honda's wholly-owned racing subsidiary.

'We're looking forward with great anticipation to entering the American Le Mans Series,' said Robert Clarke, president of Honda Performance Development. 'In addition to returning Acura to the international racing stage against other innovative automotive manufacturers, it allows us to continue to grow HPD into a world-class performance company.'

2006 Acura ALMSTesting of the Acura-powered prototypes will begin this summer. Drivers and teams will be announced in the near future.

Acura has a storied history in sports car racing, particularly with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). Acura-supported teams won three consecutive Camel Lights championships from 1991-93 including a class victory at Sebring in 1993.

'This is a landmark project in numerous ways, ' Atherton continued. 'One of the most significant effects of Acura's new racing program is the reintroduction of an American-made engine back into our prototype categories. When Dr. Don Panoz founded the American Le Mans Series, he wanted to bring the spirit and cache of Le Mans to North America but also feature American-made content. Thanks to Acura and Honda Performance Development, another portion of his vision has been realized.

'As mentioned, Acura (Honda) has a proven track record of getting involved with racing series on all fronts,' Atherton concluded. 'They are not simply going to enter some cars and hope for the best. I think we will see Acura being actively involved in all aspects of the American Le Mans Series, on and off the track.'

The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series is the premium brand of motorsport in North America, featuring high-tech sports cars from the most prestigious automobile manufacturers in the world. Its unique four classes of competition showcase exotic, open-top prototypes and sophisticated production-based GT cars, all competing on the track at the same time. The American Le Mans Series competes at the premier road racing tracks across North America and at selected temporary street circuits in major urban markets. With a television package that includes five network broadcasts on CBS and five broadcasts on SPEED Channel, plus live broadcasts across Europe, the series delivers a global marketing platform that is unmatched in motorsports. The series, founded in 1999 by Georgia entrepreneur Don Panoz, represents a mirror image to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most famous and authentic automobile race. The American Le Mans Series features elite marques such as Audi, Porsche, BMW, Corvette, Aston Martin, Lexus and Panoz, and premium brands such as Michelin, Pirelli, Jean-Richard Swiss Watches and many others.

Source - Acura

Acura Makes History in 2007 With Three Cars in American Le Mans Series

2006 Acura ALMS
Acura has made a historic decision in 2007.
That decision reflects Acura's position as a leader in automotive performance and technology.
The popular marque is going racing. And in a big way too.
Acura has entered the highly-competitive world of endurance sports car racing this year with its inaugural factory-backed effort in the American Le Mans Series.
Acura is partnered with three outstanding racing operations with experience in many facets of American motorsports. Three separate Acura-powered prototype sports cars will represent the auto manufacturer during the 12-race 2007 American Le Mans Series campaign.
'As Acura marks its 20-year anniversary, I can't think of a better racing series to showcase our technology and performance than the American Le Mans Series,' said John Mendel, Executive Vice President of Auto Operations, American Honda Motor Co.
Honda Performance Development, Inc. (HPD), Honda's wholly-owned racing subsidiary, spearheads the Acura operation with a 3.4-liter, normally-aspirated V-8 engine that is being designed and developed at HPD's headquarters in Santa Clarita, CA.
The new Acura effort also marks the first time HPD has taken on multiple concurrent motorsports programs, with operations in both the American Le Mans Series and IndyCar Series.
Andretti Green Racing, Lowe's Fernandez Racing and Highcroft Racing Ltd., introduce Acura's entry into top-level sports car racing this season, pitting their Acura-powered LMP2 prototypes against full factory-supported efforts from Audi, Porsche and Mazda, and a variety of independent teams.
Andretti Green Racing and Highcroft Racing each field Acura ARX-01A machines while Fernandez enters an Acura-powered Lola B05/40 that will debut on March 17 in the famed 55th annual 12 Hours of Sebring. All three teams will compete on Michelin competition tires.
XM Satellite Radio is the primary sponsor of the Andretti Green Racing Acura ARX-01A, with veteran drivers Bryan Herta, Tony Kanaan and Dario and Marino Franchitti leading the team's first sports-car effort. Lowe's will be primary sponsor for the Acura Lola run by the Fernandez organization with Mexican stars Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz at the controls. Former sports car champions David Brabham and Stefan Johansson will pilot the Highcroft entry, along with team owner Duncan Dayton.
'We're thrilled to have teams the caliber of Highcroft, Fernandez and Andretti Green join us for our entry into American Le Mans Series competition,' said Robert Clarke, president of HPD. 'Both the Andretti Green and Fernandez teams have been integral parts of our open-wheel racing effort, so it is entirely appropriate that we expand our relationships with them in our newest racing program.
'While new to our 'family,' Duncan Dayton's Highcroft organization is impressive and perfectly fits our needs,' Clarke added. 'A team that is young and with limited experience, but with aspirations of being a formidable team capable of competing against the best, Highcroft has expectations and goals that are in complete alignment with those of HPD.
'Acura faces a huge challenge with its entry into American Le Mans Series racing and we do not underestimate that challenge.'
Andretti Green Racing is the winningest team in the IndyCar Series with 24 race wins (all with Honda power), two drivers' championships (2004 with Tony Kanaan and 2005 with Dan Wheldon) and one Indy 500 win (2005 with Wheldon).
Fernandez Racing won three IndyCar races with Honda power in 2004, with Fernandez driving to the Winner's Circle in all three cases. Fernandez also won a Champ Car race with a Honda-powered car in Toronto in 1996.
Acura has previously competed in a professional road racing series-with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)-in the 1990s, providing sponsorship and limited support for Comptech Racing in the Camel Lights class. Comptech and lead driver Parker Johnstone won consecutive class championships in 1991-93 in an Acura-powered Spice chassis. Johnstone recorded 22 race wins in 38 starts, including a victory at the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring in 1993. Acura also has supported the title-winning efforts of Peter Cunningham and RealTime Racing in SCCA World Challenge/Speed TV competition.

Source - Acura
LMP2 Vehicles

Acura Monthly Sales Volume

February 2024
9,769
November 2023
11,110
October 2023
11,154
September 2023
12,672
August 2023
12,159
June 2023
13,171
May 2023
13,705
April 2023
13,301
March 2023
13,569
February 2023
10,408
January 2023
9,488
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