Acura LMP2 Enters ALMS 2007!!!

Garrett · 12 Apr 2006, 15:16 (Ref:1579532)

I just looked at americanlemans.com and the new manufacture to enter the ALMS is Acura with Honda building the 3.4L V8s and putting them in the back of Lola's or Courage's for LMP2. I briefly read over the story and saw that a couple of cars will be on the grid for Sebring 2007! This is awsome news! More factory teams!!

Though, it seems there are no plans to run the cars at Le Mans, why not? Why won't the Porsche LMP2s be at Le Mans either?? Yet, the rest is great news!!!

**Bentley03** · 12 Apr 2006, 15:33 (Ref:1579542)

LMP2 just got even more interesting with this fantastic news!!

The phrase I enjoyed reading most in the article was " Multiple Acura-powered LMP2 entries ........" Sounds like an invasion!!

**Bentley03** · 12 Apr 2006, 15:38 (Ref:1579545)

Link to the article here!

yamato · 12 Apr 2006, 16:41 (Ref:1579586)

Ahhhh, but who will the teams/drivers be?

I'm sure we will find out soon, as on-track testing will begin this summer!

Fogelhund · 12 Apr 2006, 16:59 (Ref:1579593)

Some of the keys include the notation of Multiple cars, and a move into LMP1 for 2008, with the notion of going to LM for 08'.

JAG · 12 Apr 2006, 17:00 (Ref:1579596)

They also plan to build their own LMP1 chassis in 2008 to compette in the ALMS and Le Mans:-

'In 2007, the Acura race program will feature HPD-designed and developed engines, and chassis from multiple manufacturers, including Lola Cars International, Ltd., of England, and Courage of France. After initial competition in the LMP2 class, plans call for the development of an Acura LMP1 chassis and engine package to compete in the American Le Mans Series, and earn an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.'

Opens up the possibility of an LMS and JLMS team, especially as Acura has/will be launched in these markets.

Of course, I'm sure Acura will be quite happy to sell P2 engines to any team, in any ACO series.

Isn't this what we wanted, manufactuers providing customer P2's, while factories graduate to P1.

**Bentley03** · 12 Apr 2006, 17:05 (Ref:1579601)

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamato

Ahhhh, but who will the teams/drivers be?

And how many teams, cars and different chassis will there be?

"Acura's race program will feature engines designed and developed by Honda Performance Development mated with chassis from some of the world's most prestigious manufacturers including Lola from England and Courage of France." Kind of implies there will be chassis from manufacturers other than Lola and Courage aswell!

**Dani Filth** · 12 Apr 2006, 17:39 (Ref:1579621)

Dallara anyone ??

LMP2 looks like it's gonna be very strong in the next few years .. maybe stronger than LMP1 in numbers and quality entries

**FIRE** · 12 Apr 2006, 18:15 (Ref:1579646)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

And how many teams, cars and different chassis will there be?

"Acura's race program will feature engines designed and developed by Honda Performance Development mated with chassis from some of the world's most prestigious manufacturers including Lola from England and Courage of France." Kind of implies there will be chassis from manufacturers other than Lola and Courage aswell!

I find this an interesting sentence. So they will have Courage-Acura AND Lola-Acura cars instead of Courage-Acura OR Lola-Acura cars?

BTW Maybe it's a good idea to merge this topic with the "New ALMS Manufacturer" topic?

**FIRE** · 12 Apr 2006, 18:15 (Ref:1579647)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

Dallara anyone ??

LMP2 looks like it's gonna be very strong in the next few years .. maybe stronger than LMP1 in numbers and quality entries

Dallara is already building the Audi R10 tub.

**Bentley03** · 12 Apr 2006, 18:22 (Ref:1579652)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Dallara is already building the Audi R10 tub.

And the Peugeot tub if rumours/reports are to be believed........

rdjones · 12 Apr 2006, 18:35 (Ref:1579662)

I have too say, that is good news, things look good for 2007 and beyond.

Truckosaurus · 12 Apr 2006, 18:40 (Ref:1579664)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

I find this an interesting sentence. So they will have Courage-Acura AND Lola-Acura cars instead of Courage-Acura OR Lola-Acura cars?

Have both chassis in the frame at such an early stage does, it seem, point towards a 'customer engine' philosophy with Acura looking to provide hardware to teams already with, or looking to buy, Lola and Courage vehicles.

As they say, All Good Nothing Bad.

**FIRE** · 12 Apr 2006, 19:01 (Ref:1579674)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

Have both chassis in the frame at such an early stage does, it seem, point towards a 'customer engine' philosophy with Acura looking to provide hardware to teams already with, or looking to buy, Lola and Courage vehicles.

Agree

JAG · 12 Apr 2006, 19:43 (Ref:1579708)

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamato

Ahhhh, but who will the teams/drivers be?

I'm sure we will find out soon, as on-track testing will begin this summer!

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60412006/1031

enemy-ace · 12 Apr 2006, 21:16 (Ref:1579788)

Absolutely terrific news for the ALMS. Having a company like Honda who crave competition enter their series really ups their credibilty as a top flight racing series. Looking forward to seeing what teams/drivers are going to come to the ALMS as well.

dj choc ice · 12 Apr 2006, 21:22 (Ref:1579797)

brilliant news, now we have audi, porsche, aston martin, corvette, ferrari, panoz and in 2007 honda and peugeot and i forgot BMW as well so bring it on the ALMS just got even better

broadrun96 · 13 Apr 2006, 00:49 (Ref:1579961)

what chassis is in the pictures from the ny auto show? definately the most beautiful panit job applied to the "new" prototype cars. really hoping enough fan support keeps them painted that way for the season. and anybody else thinking that acura is trying to "steal" some chassis information and ideas for their p1 project by using both courage and lola?

19dodge · 13 Apr 2006, 01:16 (Ref:1579975)

Its the Courage LC75 that was in NYC.

aeroehl · 13 Apr 2006, 02:00 (Ref:1579993)

The Courage is by far the best looking of the newer chasis

paul-collins · 13 Apr 2006, 02:01 (Ref:1579994)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj choc ice

brilliant news, now we have audi, porsche, aston martin, corvette, ferrari, panoz and in 2007 honda and peugeot and i forgot BMW as well so bring it on the ALMS just got even better

You left out Lexus (S2) and Mazda.

GT-Eins · 13 Apr 2006, 02:28 (Ref:1580004)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

...

Isn't this what we wanted, manufactuers providing customer P2's, while factories graduate to P1.

I totally agree JAG - that is the kind of news we all love to hear - let´s hope they keep the momentum & will be on schedule with the plan.

MulsanneMike · 13 Apr 2006, 02:34 (Ref:1580009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

And the Peugeot tub if rumours/reports are to be believed........

Heard these guys are doing the Pug tub:

http://www.atrgroup.it/

**Bentley03** · 13 Apr 2006, 06:36 (Ref:1580068)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

Heard these guys are doing the Pug tub:

http://www.atrgroup.it/

I hadn't heard them mentioned, but I believe they're involved with the Peugeot WRC car, so what you've heard makes sense.

gwyllion · 13 Apr 2006, 07:13 (Ref:1580102)

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeroehl

The Courage is by far the best looking of the newer chasis

You forgot the Radical

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