ACURA To Launch New LMP1 Prototype Monday

The much-anticipated debut of the new Acura ARX-02a LMP1 prototype sports cars will take place this Monday, Jan. 26 at the famed Sebring International Raceway, with the launch of Acura’s latest American Le Mans Series vehicles from de Ferran Motorsports and Patr¢n Highcroft Racing.

Last August in Detroit, Acura Motorsports officials announced the car manufacturer would enter two LMP1 class machines in the 2009 American Le Mans Series’ most powerful and technically-advanced category.

Acura’s new entries, developed by Honda Performance Development (HPD) in California in association with Wirth Research in England, will officially take to the racing surface January 26-28, for “Wheels Down" testing on the legendary 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring road circuit.

Team principal Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indy 500 champion, and his teammate Simon Pagenaud will pilot the No. 66 de Ferran XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-02a this year, while four-time 2008 LMP2 class winners David Brabham and Scott Sharp will drive Duncan Dayton’s new No. 9 Patr¢n Highcroft Acura ARX-02a on the 10-race ALMS trail.

The Lowe’s Fernandez Racing team, with regular drivers Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz, will be Acura’s lone LMP2 entry in 2009, in the No. 15 Lowe’s Acura ARX-01b.