Acura is going to Le Mans

[cameltree]

The American Le Mans Series got a huge boost Wednesday with the announcement in New York by the Acura division of American Honda Motor that it plans to enter the ALMS series in 2007 - with the ultimate goal of racing in the premier LMP1 class at Le Mans! The announcement marks the first factory motorsports program for the Acura brand in its 20-year history.

In the words of John Mendel, senior VP of Auto Operations for Acura, "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."

The Acura ALMS program features the first race engine developed from scratch by Honda Performance Development in California, which also supplies engines to the Indy Racing League.

By the sounds of it, Acura is in sports car competition for the long haul. In 2007, Acura powerplants will power multiple LMP2 chassis from Lola and Courage, as a prelude to development of a complete Acura LMP1 chassis and engine package to compete in the ALMS and ultimately at Le Mans. Acura's LMP2s will debut at the 2007 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March, and testing will begin this summer.

Acura has competed in the upper echelons of sports car racing before, although never as a full factory effort. Acura engines powered Spice cars in the IMSA Camel Lights series to three consecutive championships in the early '90s.

Wynode edit: Pics removed.

[ECU-MAN]

thats awsome

I hope they give the Pescarola's and team Orica a good run for there money.

watch out Audi

[Tu88y]

wah looks soo good...
I always love the Le Mans..

I remember I read in the newspaper that they wanted to bring one of the Le Mans race to Homebush but that never happen.. I would love to sit down and watch the race live one day...

[ECU-MAN]

Lemans came to Adelaide, new years day race or something like that

but I think the turn out want as good as expected

[Tu88y]

how long ago was this... Was it this year...

Australia hasnt got that much support for these types of events..

[ECU-MAN]

i think it was in 2001, I could be wrong

they used the full sized Adelaide GP track( went down Rundle Rd ) , not the Clipsal 500 short track,

[vtec_jet]

VTEC y0!!!!

[NeRV]

wow this is gonna be interesting... i remember back in the good old days with the Mercedes CLK GTR... im still in love with that car!

[mr crex]

John

I think it was 2000 cos I moved back in 2001 but dont recall it being on

I wouldve gone for sure, would've been cool to see

and that Acura looks mean

[ECU-MAN]

hmm I dont remember it being on Y2k so might of been 99
like I said not sure, the old brain is aging

[panda[cRx]]

dizamn!

any specs on the car?

[SLOWEGG]

Engine wise.. 3.4L aluminum alloy V8..