Acura ARX-01

Lore & Background

Development of the ARX-01 began after Acura announced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit their plans to develop a Le Mans Prototype program for the American Le Mans Series, competing in the LMP2 class for the initial year of competition in 2007. Acura announced they would be using customer chassis from Lola Cars International and Courage Compétition, while the engine would be built entirely by Honda Performance Development of the United States. Acura planned to use the customer chassis for the first year, then to build their own chassis for 2008, followed by another new chassis for a move to the top LMP1 class in 2009. At the Detroit auto show, Acura showed their first customer chassis, a brand new Courage LC75.

Following the announcement of the three teams involved in the project, Acura announced that for 2007 each team would concentrate on a certain aspect of development for the planned 2008 car. Andretti Green Racing and Highcroft Racing would use Courage LC75 chassis and work on chassis design and aerodynamic modification. The third team, Fernández Racing, would use a Lola chassis and concentrate on developing the new Acura V8 engine. A third Courage LC75 would be retained by Honda of America for use as a developmental prototype. By early 2007, all three teams had begun testing their cars as well as beginning modification. By the time the American Le Mans Series opening round at the 12 Hours of Sebring arrived, the two Courage LC75 teams had modified their chassis to such an extent that Acura applied for homologation from IMSA and the ACO. With the application approved, the Acura Courage LC75s were renamed as Acura ARX-01a.

Honda Performance Development created a new 3.4-liter V8, the maximum size allowed by the rules, the first V8 ever branded as an Acura as well as the first motor built entirely in the United States by Honda. Elements of the Acura V8, dubbed the AL7R, share similar architecture with the Honda engine used in the Indy Racing League although none of the parts are interchangeable.

Reader's Guide

The Acura ARX-01 series established Acura as a competitive force in endurance racing, particularly in the LMP2 class. Its debut at the 2007 12 Hours of Sebring saw the ARX-01a of Andretti Green Racing take a class victory and second place overall, demonstrating the car's potential against the dominant Audi R10 diesels. The car earned Acura's first-ever overall victory in the American Le Mans Series at the 2008 Northeast Grand Prix, driven by David Brabham and Scott Sharp. In 2009, Fernández Racing won the LMP2 teams', drivers' and manufacturers' championship with an updated version of the ARX-01. The car's European debut in 2010 with Strakka Racing proved highly competitive, with Strakka winning the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 5th overall—the best result ever for an LMP2—and setting a new LMP2 class lap record. The ARX-01 also achieved the first overall win by an LMP2 car in Le Mans Series history at Hungaroring. After Acura withdrew its name in 2010, Honda Performance Development continued the program, with the ARX-01e and ARX-01d variants competing in 2011. The car's legacy includes multiple class championships and overall wins, and it served as the foundation for Acura's and HPD's endurance racing efforts.

Did You Know?

• The Acura ARX-01a was originally a Courage LC75 chassis modified by Acura teams and renamed after homologation approval.
• The AL7R V8 engine was the first V8 branded as an Acura and the first motor built entirely in the United States by Honda.
• At the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, Strakka Racing's ARX-01c set a new LMP2 class lap record and finished 5th overall, the best result ever for an LMP2.
• The ARX-01 won the first overall victory by an LMP2 car in Le Mans Series history at Hungaroring in 2010.