Acura/HPD's future plans

[HORNDAWG]

Yes, it does seem the 02 is being abandoned, and the 01(c) will be the future for at least the short term. I wonder if we will see the zero keel on an 01 in the near future or any other tricks from the 02?



L.P.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Yes, it does seem the 02 is being abandoned, and the 01(c) will be the future for at least the short term. I wonder if we will see the zero keel on an 01 in the near future or any other tricks from the 02?
L.P.

Would be a smart idea for Acura (HPD) to integrate some of the good things from the 02, to the "old" 01, like the Swan necks!?

[The359]

We've already seen swan necks on the 01, at the Misano Michelin test.

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Yes, it does seem the 02 is being abandoned, and the 01(c) will be the future for at least the short term. I wonder if we will see the zero keel on an 01 in the near future or any other tricks from the 02?



L.P.

Would require a complete redesign of the monocoque, and for now we don't see Honda putting in any serious money into this. I'm sure the cost of development of the -01c updates will come out of Highcroft's pocket. I would suspect that to be a mild update dependent on the depth of the coffers of the Acura LMP2 privateers.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

Would require a complete redesign of the monocoque, and for now we don't see Honda putting in any serious money into this. I'm sure the cost of development of the -01c updates will come out of Highcroft's pocket. I would suspect that to be a mild update dependent on the depth of the coffers of the Acura LMP2 privateers.

What about the engine? How different will that be from the current 3.4L? I wonder if Honda will make any changes thoughout the season to the motor, or is it just handing it over to Highcroft to run?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by joeb

What about the engine? How different will that be from the current 3.4L? I wonder if Honda will make any changes thoughout the season to the motor, or is it just handing it over to Highcroft to run?

Probably just a development of the same engine.

[CTD]

Patrón Highcroft Racing will be the exclusively designated test team for HPD. It is charged with evaluation of the new ARX-01c platform and the testing of a new HPD engine under consideration for the 2011 season.

http://www.flagworld.com/news/?p=28331#more-28331
New engine for 2011!.
Sounds like Acura/Honda is up to new action!?

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Nordic

The Straka deal is for an ex Fernandez car, the drivers would be Watts and Leventis.

Pirro may have a role as either coach or 3rd driver.

Piccini was testing the car last week ..... I reckon they will have 3 drivers as last year .

[cmk]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Piccini was testing the car last week ..... I reckon they will have 3 drivers as last year .

Except the bit of last year where they had 2 drivers because the 3rd was trying to divest his stake as team owner.

Whether Piccini comes on board will be interesting to see. I do not think he brings budget though, does he? If he doesn't, why not stick with Watts...he can get the job done when Leventis is not in the car just as ably as Piccini. If a 3rd driver is added, I would expect them to bring money.

How did Pirro's name get involved with Strakka?

[Wims]

Isnt it strange that they opted for the Courage designed car instead of the Wirth designed one? Is this a matter of the 2010 rules favoring LMP2s or is it a matter of economics? Or perhaps both?

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by Wim Sjøholm

Isnt it strange that they opted for the Courage designed car instead of the Wirth designed one? Is this a matter of the 2010 rules favoring LMP2s or is it a matter of economics? Or perhaps both?

You answered your own question; it would seem to be a matter of the 2010 equivalency rules giving the well developed P2s a really good chance.

[cmk]

I was also under the impression that while the 01b was hardly a clean-sheet design, it did have a much greater amount of bespoke kit on it than the 01a, which was essentially a LC75 with new bodywork and suspension. All these things, and maybe some other speculation besides, tends to favour the 01b as a starting point for the 2010 car.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Wim Sjøholm

Isnt it strange that they opted for the Courage designed car instead of the Wirth designed one? Is this a matter of the 2010 rules favoring LMP2s or is it a matter of economics? Or perhaps both?

The ARX-01b(c) is probably cheaper to run, where the ARX-02a needs some kind of factory support to run (more expensive parts?). Besides, the ARX-02a proved very difficult to drive fast, and was pretty tough on the drivers, so i guess that they choose the ARX-01b(c) because of it's easier handling, and simply that they don't need a so complex and expensive as the ARX-02a, to be competitive (who else is going to run, who are a threat?)

[Fogelhund]

I think people are over complicating things.

The ARX-02a is a dead end car. The rules it runs under have one year left. Personally I think the ARX-01b comes closer to finding maximum speed out of the class rules, but even if you assume they are equal, it makes far more sense to work on the basic platform that will continue beyond 2010. (Assumption - neutral choice due to P1 and P2 being equalized) The ARX-01b (c) becomes the "placeholder" should HPD/Acura choose to get back in in 2011, and allows continued development.

[deggis]

While PHR will be back with Acura, the complexion of Acura’s involvement in the sport appears to be changing, as two different sources have confirmed that Highcroft’s entry next season will see a shift in branding and marketing focus by the Japanese manufacturer.

I’m told we won’t see the name ‘Acura’ on the only ARX-01c expected in the ALMS for 2010. Graphics promoting American Honda’s Honda Performance Development (HPD) firm will be reportedly be the featured brand on display.

The shift from promoting Acura to HPD makes sense as witnessed by the company’s expansion into the grassroots marketplace in 2009. Just as so many other manufacturer-owned racing divisions have done (Toyota Research and Development, Cosworth, Ilmor, etc), HPD is being asked to develop new business opportunities within the racing community in an effort to generate a profit.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...evolution//P1/
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...evolution//P2/

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by deggis

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...evolution//P1/
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...evolution//P2/

Very interesting article. Reading Duncan Dayton's comments regarding his absence from the driver's seat in 2010, I wonder if he'll feel moved to change his mind should the ACO adopt the Le Mans Series P2 compulsary gentleman driver rule for Le Mans?

[chernaudi]

And then there's economics-Dayton could buy a new tub for the ARX-01 from Oreca(since they own Courage, and the tub for the ARX-01 is LC70/75/FLM 09 derived). Wurth built the tubs for the ARX-02, and with only two usable tubs(and one either written off or held for repairs) and a general shortage/backorder of spare parts, the ARX-01 also makes since from a logisitcs stand point.

[Tom908V12]

On tomorrow monday 14th december, Patron Highcroft and driver Simon Pagenaud will communicate their plans for 2010...wonder if that has a link and if they both will work with the Acura in ALMS and Le Mans

[Tom908V12]

About 20 minutes before Patron Highcroft and Pagenaud have an announcement for 2010

[WMUCarGuy]

Getting a bit cocky are they? On the right side of their twitter page, Patron Highcroft Racing is listed as the 2010 ALMS LMP1 Champions :P

[CTD]

Originally Posted by WMUCarGuy

Getting a bit cocky are they? On the right side of their twitter page, Patron Highcroft Racing is listed as the 2010 ALMS LMP1 Champions :P

Well who are going to challenge them?

[gwyllion]

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ocus-3098.html

[CTD]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ocus-3098.html

Brabham and Paganau is gone for Peugeot then!

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by CTD

Brabham and Paganau is gone for Peugeot then!

They could be back for Le Mans though...

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Acid09

They could be back for Le Mans though...

Not if Acura/Honda is planning racing the ARX-01c at Le Mans.