2009 American Le Mans Series LMP1 Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ champions.
The 2009 Acura ARX-02a ‘Patrón’
Recently restored, we invite expressions of interest for this machine.
The new Acura is a very unique car. It has one of the most sophisticated designs of any sports car I have seen.
This is very early days for this new Acura. We were able to get a good amount of miles on the car. I'm pleased with that. It is such a unique design and the concept is revolutionary.
Acura dominates their first LMP1 season
In 2009 Acura stepped into the premier LMP1 category of the American Le Mans Series, the most powerful and technically advanced division in ALMS, with a pair of Acura ARX-02a prototype sports cars developed by Honda Performance Development (HPD).
This #9 machine, run by Highcroft Racing, was driven by David Brabham and Scott Sharp, who were joined by Dario Franchitti for the endurance rounds – the opening 12 Hours of Sebring and round nine, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.
Brabham and Sharp won three rounds, at St Pete, Road America and Mosport, and scored a further five podiums to take the LMP1 Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles, ahead of the sister de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-02a. The two cars dominated the season, sharing eight wins from the 10 rounds between them.
Scott Sharp crashed heavily at Petit Le Mans and, the championship title in the balance, a herculean effort ensued. During Thursday practice Sharp made contact with the Farnbacher-Loles Porsche, which was leaving the pits, and subsequently crashed dramatically exiting turn one. The #9 car hit the fence then rolled heavily. Sharp walked away from the incident, but the ARX-02a was a different story.
The next morning, a new tub arrived from HPD and the Highcroft Racing team spent the next 24 hours rebuilding the car, getting some assistance from de Ferran Motorsports. A monumental effort by the 20-person Patrón Highcroft crew built a new Acura in roughly 20 hours. Despite being forced to start the race from pit road, the trio of Brabham, Sharp and Franchitti finished a remarkable sixth overall, keeping their title bid, which was ultimately successful, very much alive.
The ARX-02a was Acura's second Le Mans Prototype, following the ARX-01 which debuted in 2007 to compete in the LMP2 category (winning on its debut at the Sebring 12 Hours).
Unlike the ARX-01 however, which was based upon the Courage LC75 chassis but re-homologated, the ARX-02 was a bespoke LMP machine designed by Acura and Wirth Research.
The original AL7R 3.4l V8 which powered the ARX-01, the first engine to be completely and solely designed by Honda Performance Development, Inc. in Valencia, California, was expanded to four liters under LMP1 regulations, and called the Acura LM-AR7 4.0l V8.
Engine Specifications
Name | LM-AR7 |
Configuration | 4.0l N/A 90° V8 |
Fuel | MS100 Unleaded |
Rev limit | 10,000rpm |
Power (approx.) | 620bhp |
Seasons raced | 2009 |
Drivetrain | 6-speed sequential, rear-wheel-drive |
