The Acura ARX-02a was a Le Mans Prototype constructed by Acura for competition in the LMP1 category of the American Le Mans Series.[2] It was Acura's second Le Mans Prototype, following their ARX-01 which competed in the LMP2 category.
Unlike the ARX-01, the ARX-02 is a bespoke LMP designed entirely for Acura by Wirth Research. The original 3.4L V8 was expanded to 4 liters for more durability and drivability with the larger power developed with P1 rules.
Wirth Research developed a chassis to generate as much mechanical grip to overcome the power deficit to Diesel centric rules created by the ACO by exploiting the engine's low mass (low compared to larger Diesel engines). Rear tires are now fitted onto the front of the car, increasing the contact patch by 7%, indicating that the vehicle center of mass was more forward placed than its contemporaries.
Racing historyedit
The ARX-02a were campaigned by two teams, de Ferran Motorsport (Gil de Ferran, Simon Pagenaud and Scott Dixon) and Highcroft Racing (David Brabham, Scott Sharp and Dario Franchitti), and made its competition debut at the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring. Scott Dixon put the de Ferran entry on pole position at Sebring ahead of all the diesels of Audi and Peugeot due to slippery but dry track conditions. However, within the first corner of the race Acura were overcome by Allan McNish in the Audi. Neither Acura finished the race due to mechanical issues and never featured as a threat to win the race, lapping at 2.5 seconds off the winning pace.
Throughout the ALMS, the Acura gained overall wins until the Petit Le Mans. In all of the races, the bigger tires took longer to warm up than most competitors resulting in position loss to the turbo charged P1 Lola's at race starts and restarts. Scott Sharp crashed heavily at Petit Le Mans and spend the next 24 hours rebuilding the car with assistance from de Ferran. At the final race at Laguna Seca, Gil de Ferran won a hard-fought battle with the Fernandez ARX-01.
In 2010, de Ferran closed shop and Highcroft was forced to abandon the car, ending the career of the ARX-02. Highcroft returned to campaigning an updated version of the existing ARX-01 for the combined LMP class in 2010.
Referencesedit
^Michael J. Fuller. "2009 Acura ARX-02a". Mulsannescorner.com. from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
^"Acura unveils new ARX-02a LMP1 contender". Planetlemans.com. 2009-01-26. from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
External linksedit
Mulsanne's Corner - 2009 Acura ARX-02a
April 10, 2024
acura, mans, prototype, constructed, acura, competition, lmp1, category, american, mans, series, acura, second, mans, prototype, following, their, which, competed, lmp2, category, 2009, long, beachcategoryle, mans, prototype, lmp1, constructoracura, wirth, des. The Acura ARX 02a was a Le Mans Prototype constructed by Acura for competition in the LMP1 category of the American Le Mans Series 2 It was Acura s second Le Mans Prototype following their ARX 01 which competed in the LMP2 category Acura ARX 02aARX 02a at 2009 GP of Long BeachCategoryLe Mans Prototype LMP1 ConstructorAcura Wirth Designer s Nick WirthPredecessorAcura ARX 01SuccessorHPD ARX 03Technical specifications 1 ChassisCarbon fibre and aluminium monocoqueSuspension front Double wishbone torsion springs and damper anti roll barSuspension rear Double wishbone torsion springs and damper anti roll barAxle track2 000 mm 78 7 in Wheelbase2 900 mm 114 2 in EngineAcura LM AR7 4 0 litre V8 naturally aspirated mid engined longitudinally mountedTransmission6 speed sequential manualWeightappr 900 kg 1 984 2 lb TyresMichelinCompetition historyNotable entrantsde Ferran Motorsports Highcroft RacingNotable driversDavid Brabham Scott Sharp Gil de Ferran Simon PagenaudDebut2009 12 Hours of SebringFirst win2009 American Le Mans Series at Long BeachLast win2009 Monterey Sports Car ChampionshipsLast event2009 Monterey Sports Car ChampionshipsRacesWinsPolesF Laps10887Constructors Championships1 2009 ALMS Drivers Championships1 2009 ALMS Contents 1 Development 2 Racing history 3 References 4 External linksDevelopment editUnlike the ARX 01 the ARX 02 is a bespoke LMP designed entirely for Acura by Wirth Research The original 3 4L V8 was expanded to 4 liters for more durability and drivability with the larger power developed with P1 rules Wirth Research developed a chassis to generate as much mechanical grip to overcome the power deficit to Diesel centric rules created by the ACO by exploiting the engine s low mass low compared to larger Diesel engines Rear tires are now fitted onto the front of the car increasing the contact patch by 7 indicating that the vehicle center of mass was more forward placed than its contemporaries Racing history editThe ARX 02a were campaigned by two teams de Ferran Motorsport Gil de Ferran Simon Pagenaud and Scott Dixon and Highcroft Racing David Brabham Scott Sharp and Dario Franchitti and made its competition debut at the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring Scott Dixon put the de Ferran entry on pole position at Sebring ahead of all the diesels of Audi and Peugeot due to slippery but dry track conditions However within the first corner of the race Acura were overcome by Allan McNish in the Audi Neither Acura finished the race due to mechanical issues and never featured as a threat to win the race lapping at 2 5 seconds off the winning pace Throughout the ALMS the Acura gained overall wins until the Petit Le Mans In all of the races the bigger tires took longer to warm up than most competitors resulting in position loss to the turbo charged P1 Lola s at race starts and restarts Scott Sharp crashed heavily at Petit Le Mans and spend the next 24 hours rebuilding the car with assistance from de Ferran At the final race at Laguna Seca Gil de Ferran won a hard fought battle with the Fernandez ARX 01 In 2010 de Ferran closed shop and Highcroft was forced to abandon the car ending the career of the ARX 02 Highcroft returned to campaigning an updated version of the existing ARX 01 for the combined LMP class in 2010 References edit Michael J Fuller 2009 Acura ARX 02a Mulsannescorner com Archived from the original on 12 February 2009 Retrieved 2009 02 21 Acura unveils new ARX 02a LMP1 contender Planetlemans com 2009 01 26 Archived from the original on 3 March 2009 Retrieved 2009 02 21 External links editMulsanne s Corner 2009 Acura ARX 02a Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Acura ARX 02a amp oldid 1197303961, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
