REAL & REPLICA, VOL 5. SPARK's 2009 LMP1 Acura ARX-02a

[69stang]

Note* Hey gang, I though I would share my most recent article from my Real & Replica series, written for a States based web site dedicated to 1:43 scale modeling. The information is pretty basic, but part of the fun in putting these stories together is sharing them and hearing comments. I hope you will enjoy.

Ward


REAL & REPLICA, Volume 5
SPARK’S LMP1 Acura ARX-02a (#2)
Highcroft Racing, 2009 ALMS Champion

What an amazing experience, to stand inside turn one of Road Atlanta (my home track) while such amazing machinery blast by only feet away. I have never seen another closed course track where spectators were allowed this close to cars at speed....at the risk of being a cliche, it is life changing. And that is the connection I share with this months Real & Replica subject....Highcroft Racing’s 2009 Acura ARX-02a. I was present for the historic, though rain shortened ‘09 Petit Le Mans and had the privilege of “soaking” in the glory of this Acura prototype.



The history of this car is fairly brief, making it’s debut and (to the best of my research) it’s departure in only one year. The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) represents the North American platform for Le Mans style prototypes. Honda, through their HPD (Honda Performance Development) division introduced their first prototypes in 2007 with an all new 3.4 liter V8 Acura branded powerplant. For the first two years, the Acura ARX-01 was a LMP2 machine based on both Lola and Courage chassis. But by 2009, a new monster was about to be unleashed.

In 2009 HPD introduced the racing world to the all new LMP1 Acura ARX-02a. This was a clean sheet design by UK based Wirth Engineering. The results were staggering....2 cars were built for the ‘09 ALMS campaign (Highcroft and de Ferran Motorsports) which between them claimed 8 polls, 7 wins and 7 fastest laps in only 9 races! The ultimate glory resting on Danbury Connecticut’s Duncan Dayton and Highcroft Racing with the LMP1 Championship. And that quickly brings us to the subject of this Real & Replica.



This car represents the championship winning Chassis #2 assigned to Highcroft. Modeled in resin by Spark (#SAM032). This was released through Highcroft’s own gift shop (http://www.highcroftracing.com) and limited to 1000 pieces. I had the opportunity to buy this at an amazing discount and it arrived for $50.00 delivered. Thanks to Scott (RaceOddity) for his help on finding this casting.





While not the most beautiful lines to ever grace a prototype, Spark seemed to really capture the almost awkward profile of the ARX-02. This was one of the first prototypes to run rear tires on all four corners, and Spark did a good job holding those dimensions. Also nice is the use of various gloss levels on the miscellaneous body panels. While all in black, they have faithfully recreated the shading and different finish materials from the 1:1.



To finish this story, allow me to revisit a previous statement, that this car made it debut and exit within a single year. I can find no evidence of this chassis racing past the championship winning 2009 season. For 2010 the Acura teams were returned to an updated version of the original LMP2 ARX-01, now simply labeled as HPD. And while Highcroft did indeed win the combined class championship for the 2010 (making back to back titles) they did not do it with this car. I can detect no mention of this car (or it’s #1 sister chassis) past the 2009 season. I have yet to hear from several inquires as to the reasons or whereabouts of the ARX-02's.





Driven by David Brabham (AUS), Scott Sharp (USA) and Dario Franchitti (GB, for longer endurance events) this chassis raced 9 times, winning 3 times and scoring 4 second place finishes. With only one DNF to it’s credit. Our model is listed with all three drivers as a tribute to the overall accomplishment.

Believe it or not the lone DNF was not the horrific shunt suffered by Scott Sharp in a Thursday practice session at the ‘09 Petit Le Mans. In a high speed section, Sharp clipped a Porsche blending onto the track from pit road. The result was a destroyed race car and a shaken driver, though he walked away unharmed! After receiving the only extra tub in the US, the team completely rebuilt the car in a matter of hours. The crash occurred at 3:43 on Thursday afternoon, I watched the car being rebuilt on Friday Afternoon, and was awakened by the first start up around 1:00 AM later that morning. The car appeared in Saturday’s race warm up session as though nothing had happened, finishing 6th overall. What a come back story to tell the kids! All my photos are from that event in 2009.



These three videos will complete the story....first, the crash it's self.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9nL4...eature=related

Time lapse video of car being rebuilt in 24 hours...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzKfC...feature=fvwrel

And last a bit of insight by team principle Duncan Dayton...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXREy...eature=related

My photo taken at 12:00 on Friday...




Now when you break down and add this beauty to your own collection, you will know a little more background on this outstanding car. Thanks for the opportunity to share this unique blend of real and replica history. It is a rare privilege when I can combine my love of photography, toy cars and racing history. I hope you enjoyed the ride.

Ward Wilson

All photos by author except where noted. Please contact me with suggestions, corrections and comments at WilsonMotorsports@comcast.net







For additional information on the real car featured in this article, check out the following web sites...

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4...a-ARX-02a.html
http://www.supercars.net/cars/4367.html
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...a-ARX-02a.aspx
http://thegarageblog.com/garage/patr...-road-atlanta/
http://www.wirthresearch.com/clients
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acura_ARX-01 (Also see ARX-02)