Acura/HPD's future plans

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I'm intrigued to see who will be involved in running the ARX-01e('s?) at Le Mans. Can we assume it'll be Highcroft?

Brabs certainly isn't sure either.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88945

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

According to Wirth the ARX-01e is designed for Le Mans:
source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88911

I think that Mike's analysis is closer to the mark. Wirth/HPD are testing areo bits on the open car that they want to use on the closed car. Audi did the same with the R15 last year--the R15's influence on the R18's areo, roof aside, is clear and obvous.

It should be noted that the R15's basic aero package was designed for LM in 2010, but they were still much slower than the Pugs down the straights.

With less power, the gap from the ARX-01e to the Audi R18 and the Peugeot 90x, irregardless of power unit type, will likely be at least as much, as the newer rules favor closed cars, which the ARX-01e won't be.

It's relevance to the 2010 WR coupe is the same as the 2010 R15 is to the R18--testing out areo bits, but being open cars, won't have 100% the same areo effiency as the GTPs that the body bits are being tested for.

[TF110]

We'll have to wait and see, it could yet be a closed car. I think they have something in store for us.

[chernaudi]

Then WR would have to re-homoligate the tub, which it seems that they had to do once before (2008?). Audi had to re-homoligate the R15's tub because they lightened it and added a filler piece to partly block off the recess in the front of the tub for the old nose chimney that was deleted for 2010.

Again, why entirely rebuld a car (and not carry over the basic tub) for only one year's worth of use unless one intends to sell it as a customer car, which it seems that Nick wants to eventually do for the new '12 coupe?

[veeten]

Here's an image of the new HPD engine, with thanks to Mulsanne's Corner...

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjan11.html

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by veeten

Here's an image of the new HPD engine, with thanks to Mulsanne's Corner...

That picture dates from Le Mans last year.

@chernaudi: Please stop using WR when you are referring to Acura/HPD/Wirth Research cars. WR has always been the abbreviation as Welter Racing.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

@chernaudi: Please stop using WR when you are referring to Acura/HPD/Wirth Research cars. WR has always been the abbreviation as Welter Racing.

Thank you
We had the same problem a few years ago.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

I think that Mike's analysis is closer to the mark. Wirth/HPD are testing areo bits on the open car that they want to use on the closed car. Audi did the same with the R15 last year--the R15's influence on the R18's areo, roof aside, is clear and obvous.

In a recent interview, I thought Mr. Wirth said something along the lines that he was hoping to have HPD working with him on the 2012 LMP1. That makes me think that HPD hasn't fully committed to building another new car. If they were committed, I don't think Highcroft would be unsure of their 2011 plans.

[The Badger]

Highcroft probably needs to find the funds to get this deal . They are not a works outfit , yet .

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by joeb

In a recent interview, I thought Mr. Wirth said something along the lines that he was hoping to have HPD working with him on the 2012 LMP1. That makes me think that HPD hasn't fully committed to building another new car. If they were committed, I don't think Highcroft would be unsure of their 2011 plans.

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjan11.html:

Regarding the 2012 Wirth Research LMP1 coupe, "We're targeting a 2012 debut for this car, and it will most likely end up being a project done with HPD."

[Félix]

I think the problem with Highcroft is that they won't race if the money has to come out of their pockets. That's unlike many of the other entrants in sportscar racing. I guess the ALMS program is not completely funded and can be saved if HPD/Honda/some related entity steps in and saves them at a loss instead of letting them sit it out. Their Indy budget, on the other end, is probably secure.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjan11.html:

Regarding the 2012 Wirth Research LMP1 coupe, "We're targeting a 2012 debut for this car, and it will most likely end up being a project done with HPD."

Thanks mike, that was the quote I was thinking of. It does sound like the deal isn't 100% finalized, but hopefully hpd comes through.

[joeb]

Autoweek has some different information on HPD's upcoming plans.

they say Highcroft will debut the ARX-01d at Sebring. And HPD has the 01e as a customer program, and they think one team has already signed up to run LeMans with it.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by joeb

And HPD has the 01e as a customer program, and they think one team has already signed up to run LeMans with it.

I'd rather think both teams that will run it in Europe will run it at Le Mans. After all, both Strakka and RML do have automatic entries after all for those cars. Or are they talking about an American-based team?

In other news, Pegasus Racing will be switching to the HPD V6 twin-turbo P2 engine in their old Courage-Oreca for next year. http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ance-6025.html So it looks like the engine development program is going to be a very profitable one.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

I'd rather think both teams that will run it in Europe will run it at Le Mans. After all, both Strakka and RML do have automatic entries after all for those cars. Or are they talking about an American-based team?

In other news, Pegasus Racing will be switching to the HPD V6 twin-turbo P2 engine in their old Courage-Oreca for next year. http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ance-6025.html So it looks like the engine development program is going to be a very profitable one.

The article was referring to the LMP1 car as the customer program with 1 team possibly already signed up for LeMans.

So for the LMS HPD have at least 3 teams running the new P2 V6, Strakka, RML and now Pegasus, any others? For the ALMS we know Level 5 fore sure will have 2 cars, and they will likely add another for a LeMans/ILMC assault, so that is as many as 6 engines sold already, not bad for the first year.

[Simmi]

Tweet from the HPD account:

How many of you can hear engines running on the dyno from your desk? Wish I could post sound to share.

http://twitter.com/#!/HondaRacing_HPD

Obviously a good time to be a HPD employee.

[Simmi]

Double Post.

[CTD]

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/n...s-project.html
Interview with Nick Wirth.
No real new info, but a good read

[Japanese Samurai]

Honda announced 2011 motorsport overview.
However, the engine supply to Highcroft is not referred.
LMP1 engine supply is not referred, too.
Why? What does this mean?
No Honda badge?
http://world.honda.com/news/2011/c11...iew/index.html

[chernaudi]

HPD is the NA arm of Honda Racing, but functions in NA as a quasi-independant company, IE, funded by mainly by Honda of America.

Basically, the HPD badging is a way of Honda/Acura to stay in sportscar racing until business in the ALMS/LMS and Le Mans picks up (IE, Honda/Acura see it as worth their while to badge their racing cars as such), with out Honda/Acura being attatched to it by name, but we know that Honda/Honda Racing own HPD, but the average man on the street might not know, let alone care.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Honda announced 2011 motorsport overview.
However, the engine supply to Highcroft is not referred.
LMP1 engine supply is not referred, too.
Why? What does this mean?
No Honda badge?
http://world.honda.com/news/2011/c11...iew/index.html

What it means, is there is no Highcroft program for 2011, as of yet.

[Dyson Mazda]

I would think, but of course I have no idea, but in the worst case scenario, Dayton would run a LMP2 (he ran the MG out of his pocket in 2006), driving with Simon, because he does not want to disband his team and any future it may have. The guy is worth something like $200 million.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

I would think, but of course I have no idea, but in the worst case scenario, Dayton would run a LMP2 (he ran the MG out of his pocket in 2006), driving with Simon, because he does not want to disband his team and any future it may have. The guy is worth something like $200 million.

Crew members, truck drivers etc... have been looking for other jobs.... The worse case scenario is they don't run.

[trahsub]

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

I would think, but of course I have no idea, but in the worst case scenario, Dayton would run a LMP2 (he ran the MG out of his pocket in 2006), driving with Simon, because he does not want to disband his team and any future it may have. The guy is worth something like $200 million.

Perhaps we'll see a Target liveried car this year

[JAG]

From Dagys again it's reported HPD's plans will be revealed Monday.