What? Is AutoblogGreen Serious? Is Acura Serious?
Is Acura really going to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Audi & Peugeot in the high-stakes game of international prototype racing?
Beats me, but if they do, this could get real interesting.
First off it fits in with a framework of what Honda has done in the past: use its racing endeavors in the pursuit of technological solutions to production car problems. Honda’s VTEC valve-train was first seen on their turbocharged F1 engines back in 88 and when first making into into a street car, VTEC was first deployed in their most fuel efficient Civic available, and was marketed as a a device that would improve mileage.
And if these rumors are true, Acura is not fooling around. At the Detroit show this past January, American Honda EVP John Mendel said that the company was evaluating a diesel for the race program. Acura also announced that they would launch a clean diesel in the U.S. market in 2009. Also in January Gil De Ferran (2-time IndyCar champion) said that he would launch a new ALMS team this year, fielding the Acura ARX-01B starting with the Long Beach Grand Prix in April.
There’s even bigger possibilities here than no one has mentioned, but you’d think that Acura (and parent Honda) sure as hell would be considering them. If you race in any of the classes here for the ALMS, then you’re also spec’d to race at Le Mans itself. To me, it’s not outside the realm of possibilities that running a diesel in the ALMS would be a great proving ground before heading onto the world stage that is the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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