Acura Sports Car Debut Proves To Be Sensational With Victory In Legendary 12 Hours Of Sebring

The three new Acura American Le Mans Sequence groups made a spectacular debut Saturday by taking the first, second and fourth positions in the LMP2 class on the 55th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, one of many world's most prestigious street-racing events.

The Andretti Inexperienced Racing effort, with drivers Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan, scored the LMP2 class victory over the Lowe's Fernandez Racing staff of Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz after the grueling 12-hour endurance contest. The AGR trio completed second overall to the manufacturing unit Audi LMP1, racing on the lead lap against the more powerful German manufacturer earlier than gearbox woes slowed the Acura ARX-01a driven by Herta in the remaining hour. The Fernandez team positioned third general, just two laps shy of the AGR team.

The Highcroft Racing louisville used cars crew, with drivers David Brabham, Stefan Johansson and Duncan Dayton, positioned fourth in the ALMS and sixth overall in its Acura ARX-01a sports activities car.

The victory was particular for the workers of Honda Efficiency Improvement because the successful machine was designed and developed, in partnership with chassis specialist Wirth Research, at the HPD headquarters in Santa Clarita, Calif. It marked the primary time an HPD-designed engine and car had competed in a U.S. racing event.

The overall used cars louisville successful Audi completed 364 laps, with the Andretti Inexperienced Acura ARX-01a ending with 358 laps and Fernandez Racing at 356. Highcroft Racing recorded 351 laps Saturday.

The LMP2 race was set as much as be a battle between the manufacturing unit Porsches from Penske Racing and the three Acura manufacturing facility cars. But early brake bother for the Porsches proved to be German marque's demise.

The Acuras from AGR and Highcroft set the pace in the class whereas the Fernandez automotive had a steering difficulty in the first three hours. kentucky used cars An electrical problem slowed the Highcroft automobile and the Andretti Green XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01a ran strong into the evening hours. The ARX-01a chassis will unveiled Thursday in a particular media event.

Till used cars kentucky the final hour, the AGR machine challenged the extra-powerful Audi lap for lap, earlier than the late race gearbox drawback slowed Herta in the ultimate hour.

The Acura finish was one of the most spectacular debuts ever seen in the 55-yr history of the famed Sebring International Raceway and set the stage for the reminder of the 12-race American Le Mans Series.

The subsequent Acura occasion is Saturday, March 31, on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., the three-hour Acura Sports activities Car Challenge.

12 Hours Of Sebring Results

LMP2 Class

1. ANDRETTI GREEN RACING (Herta, Franchitti, Kanaan)

2. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ RACING ACURA (Fernandez, Diaz)

4. HIGHCROFT RACING ACURA (Brabham, Johansson, Dayton)

Acura Quotes:

ROBERT CLARKE, HPD President: "I am unable to put it into words. I would price it as one of many highest emotional experiences I've had. So much work went into this program. We received on multiple levels. I could not have imagine it would end this way. It's been a protracted road, not only for HPD however for Acura, our groups, sponsors, drivers and everyone who's concerned within the program."

MICHAEL ANDRETTI, co-proprietor, No. 26 XM Satellite tv for pc Radio Acura ARX-01a automobile that Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan drove to LMP2 victory Saturday: "This was a enjoyable race, except for those final 20 laps. We had some issues with Bryan on the end and we received through them. It was a real cliffhanger for us with the gearbox. It was an effective way to start out in Acura's first manufacturing unit sports activities car race. It was a troublesome race and we knew it coming into this weekend. But the 12-hour simulation race last month right here helped us, and all of the Acura groups had been ready for at this time's race. Clearly, it paid off for all three teams."

BRYAN HERTA (26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "Everybody at AGR and Acura labored so laborious to place this program together. And in such a short time. I didn't know what to expect right here at Sebring. It is such a troublesome race. I couldn't imagine coming out and used trucks kentucky profitable proper out of the box. It is a super effort for Acura in its first American Le Mans Collection race and its first Sebring race. The 12-hour simulation race we ran in February was a huge help for our staff and all of the Acura teams. We realized so much from that experience. It was very nervous for us in the final hour since we had some gearbox problems. I wasn't certain if we had been going to make it to the finish. However the AGR guys talked me by the issues and we cruised home for the win. It was fun to win with my good buddies Dario [Franchitti] and Tony [Kanaan]."

DARIO FRANCHITTI (26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "It is superb just to consider the place the Acura program was six months ago and what the fellows at the AGR store were taking a look at for this project. We had been capable of work from almost scratch to make a car that was quick and reliable. The team - the engineers and mechanics - was flawless today. We had a fantastic race car. That last hour I had my coronary heart in my mouth when Bryan had the gearbox problem. It was tough to sit down there and watch. kentucky used cars However he brought it residence and that is all that matters. It is so good to be on the podium along with your friends. Bryan, Tony and I have raced together for an extended time. So that is very special for all of us. You could not have requested for a greater finish here at Sebring."

TONY KANAAN (26 XM Satellite tv for pc Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "This win is particular in many ways. I have been with the Honda and Acura family for a few years they usually have been with me for most of my success right here in the United States. It is a dream to win a race with two of my finest friends. And for Acura. They've been behind me for years and to win in their first sports activities automobile race is fantastic. I don't want to take something away from the opposite races or championships I have won. However this victory is something I'll by no means forget. I wasn't that snug autos louisville within the car coming here, since I solely drove twice before. Bryan and Dario helped me get used to the automotive and I wish to thank them for serving to me. The AGR guys did a tremendous job with the car and the race technique to take the XM automotive to the winner's circle. This win may be very exciting." Upcoming: Acura Sports activities Automobile Problem Date: March 30-31, 2007 Location: St. Petersburg, Fla. avenue course Track Sort: 1.eight-mile street circuit Race: Spherical 2 of 12 Races, 5:05 p.m. American Le Mans Sequence Distance: 2 hours, 45 minutes.

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