Acura Sports Automotive Debut Proves To Be Sensational With Victory In Legendary 12 Hours Of Sebring

The three new Acura American Le Mans Sequence teams made a spectacular debut Saturday by taking the primary, second and fourth positions in the LMP2 class at the 55th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, one of many world's most prestigious road-racing events.

The Andretti Green Racing effort, with drivers Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan, scored the LMP2 class victory over the Lowe's Fernandez Racing crew of Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz after the grueling 12-hour endurance contest. The AGR trio finished second total to the manufacturing facility Audi LMP1, racing on the lead lap against the extra highly effective German producer before gearbox woes slowed the Acura ARX-01a driven by Herta within the closing hour. The Fernandez workforce positioned third overall, just two laps shy of the AGR team.

The Highcroft Racing louisville used cars workforce, with drivers David Brabham, Stefan Johansson and Duncan Dayton, positioned fourth within the ALMS and sixth overall in its Acura ARX-01a sports activities car.

The victory was particular for the workers of Honda Performance Improvement because the successful machine was designed and developed, in partnership with chassis specialist Wirth Analysis, on the HPD headquarters in Santa Clarita, Calif. It marked the first time an HPD-designed engine and automobile had competed in a U.S. racing event.

The general used cars louisville profitable Audi completed 364 laps, with the Andretti Inexperienced Acura ARX-01a finishing with 358 laps and Fernandez Racing at 356. Highcroft Racing recorded 351 laps Saturday.

The LMP2 race was set as much as be a battle between the manufacturing unit Porsches from Penske Racing and the three Acura factory cars. But early brake trouble for the Porsches proved to be German marque's demise.

The Acuras from AGR and Highcroft set the tempo within the class whereas the Fernandez automobile had a steering issue within the first three hours. kentucky used cars An electrical downside slowed the Highcroft car and the Andretti Inexperienced XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01a ran strong into the evening hours. The ARX-01a chassis will unveiled Thursday in a special media event.

Till used cars kentucky the final hour, the AGR machine challenged the extra-highly effective Audi lap for lap, earlier than the late race gearbox problem slowed Herta in the remaining hour.

The Acura finish was one of the vital impressive debuts ever seen in the fifty five-yr history of the famed Sebring International Raceway and set the stage for the reminder of the 12-race American Le Mans Series.

The next Acura event is Saturday, March 31, on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., the three-hour Acura Sports activities Car Challenge.

12 Hours Of Sebring Outcomes

LMP2 Class

1. ANDRETTI GREEN RACING (Herta, Franchitti, Kanaan)

2. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ RACING ACURA (Fernandez, Diaz)

4. HIGHCROFT RACING ACURA (Brabham, Johansson, Dayton)

Acura Quotes:

ROBERT CLARKE, HPD President: "I am unable to put it into words. I'd price it as one of many highest emotional experiences I've had. So much work went into this program. We won on a number of levels. I could not have think about it will finish this way. It's been a long highway, not just for HPD however for Acura, our groups, sponsors, drivers and everyone who is concerned in the program."

MICHAEL ANDRETTI, co-proprietor, No. 26 XM Satellite tv for pc Radio Acura ARX-01a automotive that Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan drove to LMP2 victory Saturday: "This was a enjoyable race, except for those final 20 laps. We had some points with Bryan at the finish and we acquired through them. It was a real cliffhanger for us with the gearbox. It was a good way to start out in Acura's first factory sports automotive race. It was a tricky race and we knew it coming into this weekend. However the 12-hour simulation race last month here helped us, and all of the Acura teams were prepared for at the moment's race. Clearly, it paid off for all three teams."

BRYAN HERTA (26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "Everyone at AGR and Acura worked so arduous to put this program together. And in such a brief time. I didn't know what to anticipate here at Sebring. It's such a tough race. I couldn't imagine popping out and used trucks kentucky winning right out of the box. It is a tremendous effort for Acura in its first American Le Mans Series race and its first Sebring race. The 12-hour simulation race we ran in February was a huge help for our workforce and the entire Acura teams. We realized so much from that experience. It was very nervous for us within the last hour since we had some gearbox problems. I wasn't positive if we had been going to make it to the finish. But the AGR guys talked me by way of the issues and we cruised house for the win. It was enjoyable to win with my good pals Dario [Franchitti] and Tony [Kanaan]."

DARIO FRANCHITTI (26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "It is amazing simply to think about where the Acura program was six months ago and what the guys at the AGR shop had been taking a look at for this project. We have been able to work from nearly scratch to make a automotive that was quick and reliable. The crew - the engineers and mechanics - was flawless today. We had a fantastic race car. That final hour I had my coronary heart in my mouth when Bryan had the gearbox problem. It was robust to sit there and watch. kentucky used cars But he brought it residence and that's all that matters. It is so good to be on the podium with your friends. Bryan, Tony and I've raced together for an extended time. So this is very special for all of us. You may not have requested for a greater finish right here at Sebring."

TONY KANAAN (26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "This win is particular in lots of ways. I have been with the Honda and Acura family for a few years they usually have been with me for many of my success right here within the United States. It's a dream to win a race with two of my finest friends. And for Acura. They have been behind me for years and to win of their first sports automotive race is fantastic. I don't wish to take something away from the other races or championships I have won. However this victory is something I will never forget. I wasn't that comfortable autos louisville in the automotive coming here, since I only drove twice before. Bryan and Dario helped me get used to the car and I want to thank them for helping me. The AGR guys did an incredible job with the automobile and the race technique to take the XM car to the winner's circle. This win is very exciting." Upcoming: Acura Sports Automotive Problem Date: March 30-31, 2007 Location: St. Petersburg, Fla. street course Observe Type: 1.eight-mile road circuit Race: Spherical 2 of 12 Races, 5:05 p.m. American Le Mans Series Distance: 2 hours, 45 minutes.

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