Acura LMP1

[Nick Koske]

Looks like a little news/rumor of the Acura LMP1 program in Marshall Pruett's Le Mans blog.

With the confirmation of an Acura LMP1 program, at least in the CAD design stages, by HPD, the state of Acura’s ALMS landscape in 2009 could be open for a new team provided P1 and P2 cars are in action.

Sure seems to me if the car is still in CAD it's not going to happen for 2009. I would think to make it for 2009 the car needs to be just about completed by now. Unless of course they decide to do like the old days and develop the car on the track during races.

[HORNDAWG]

Ya, that is what they are admitting to but who knows how far along they truly are? And one never knows what goes on at the Cantil HPCC proving grounds. Its got security like Fort Knox and its been put forth that it even has radar so whatever is testing can get to shelter if there is an overflight!!
Honda Proving Center of California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Nick Koske]

Very true...It will be interesting to see if they've been able to keep a P1 project secret for this long.

Will it be a coupe or open? What do you guys think.

[Patrick]

I think they are moving things along a little too fast they haven't even won overall yet. I think they only have 2 class wins. Although with De Ferran and his new team I don't think it will be long before Acura wins overall. Especially with their secret weapon Simon Pageneud

[HORNDAWG]

First, the current Acuras running in the ALMS are all privateers ( the teams own the cars and pay for the parts) with heavy development & engineering involvement from HPD (Acura). The P-2 customer program is a toe in the water for a full Factory "works" program in P-1 and the basic timeline was laid out when it all started. That the cars are extremely competitive so early in the program is a very good sign for a full on factory effort in P-1. A customer program has outshone all but two of the best factory efforts at this time in both categories of Prototypes. Namely Audi and Porsche, and have made both programs keep a very close eye on them, or get beat!! I think their right on pace.

And if you haven't figured my thoughts on what they will build, I think it will be a coupe and possibly an EVO coupe that will coincide with the introduction of the new NSX in GT-1. And they will run the new V-10 (homologated) from the NSX GT-1 in it.

[WMUCarGuy]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

First, the current Acuras running in the ALMS are all privateers ( the teams own the cars and pay for the parts) with heavy development & engineering involvement from HPD (Acura). The P-2 customer program is a toe in the water for a full Factory "works" program in P-1 and the basic timeline was laid out when it all started. That the cars are extremely competitive so early in the program is a very good sign for a full on factory effort in P-1. A customer program has outshone all but two of the best factory efforts at this time in both categories of Prototypes. Namely Audi and Porsche, and have made both programs keep a very close eye on them, or get beat!! I think their right on pace.

And if you haven't figured my thoughts on what they will build, I think it will be a coupe and possibly an EVO coupe that will coincide with the introduction of the new NSX in GT-1. And they will run the new V-10 (homologated) from the NSX GT-1 in it.

Any rumors of it being a hybrid?

[WMUCarGuy]

In David Phillips' new article on the ALMS site, he predicts that 1 of the 4 current Acura ALMS teams will spearhead the LMP1 effort, but which of the 4 it is, he doesn't know (or at least isn't saying...).

I'd personally like to see it be Highcroft, they've had the most success with the P2 program and I really like the team.

With rumors of there being 1 less Acura team in 2009, does that mean we'll likely have 1 LMP1 car and 2 in LMP2?

Is it possible that in losing 1 "Acura" team, could the LMP1 program be badged as a Honda instead of Acura?

Also, with more and more rumors of the Acura NSX replacement expected to run in GT1, might one of the current teams be asked to step down to GT1 and run that program?

[HORNDAWG]

Hmm, silly wild burro prognostications;
Who moves up?
I would think that it will be Fernandez, I thought from the beginning of the program that it would be AGR but their performance does not lead me to believe that they have won that role! Maybe Gil's team but I don't think so (yet).

How did we lose a team? You went from 4 current to 1)P-1 & 2)P-2's = 3?? I assume you are talking about the Bears mention of a not happy team?? We'll see.

I think (hope) that we will end up with the team that gets the nod for the "works" P-1 running 2 cars. Of the three teams left Highcroft (and it is not that I do not think that Highcroft can be the P-1 team I just think Duncan wants his own team) will also go to a 2 car team taking over (buying) the car that the team moving up steps out of. AGR looks to be to busy to run more than the single car already (if they stay, for not getting the P-1 nod) and de Ferran is just getting back in the swing of things.

No I do not think any of this will be branded as Honda.

I do not think it likely that any of the teams that currently own the cars would go to a GT program!! This is where a PTG, Walker, or maybe a No Fear Boris Said team comes to mind. And remember this is silly wild Burro stuff

[HORNDAWG]

Hmm, R.Miller is saying Gil wants to have either T.Kanaan or R.Barrichello in the car next year with Pagenaud. ??? (Speed Report)

[Hallen]

Seeing either of those guys in the car would be great. I think that Rubens would be the better overall choice though. He has always been a second tier driver in F1... well, for as long as I have been watching, but I think that might be more to do with circumstances than talent. Being second driver to a Michael Schumacher is not exactly being a second driver to anybody else on the grid. I don't think even MS could make that stinky Honda go any faster than it does now.