Steve Eriksen of HPD Photo: Anne ProffitSteve Eriksen of HPD
Photo: Anne Proffit
HPD's LM P2 engine as shown at the 2010 24 Heures du Mans
Photo: Anne Proffit
Honda Performance Development (HPD) is heading back headfirst into the sports car wars this weekend at Sebring with a new HPD ARX-01e in the LM P1 prototype classification and an LM P2 prototype as well.
Partnering with Highcroft Racing, who have brought HPD consecutive American Le Mans Series championships in two classes, the new LM P1 car will be piloted by regular Highcroft drivers David Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti. The ARX-01e is based on the tub and 3.4-liter V-8 engine of last year's championship winning ARX-01c. It has all-new suspension and bodywork developed with chassis partner Wirth Research - it also has a larger air restrictor permitted under LM P1 rules.
Level 5 Motorsports will unveil the HPD ARX-01d chassis with the new production-based 2.8-liter, twin-turbocharged HPD HR28TT engine, which the firm developed to meet the new 2011 LM P2 regulations and showed off at last year's Le Mans race. Wisconsin-based Level 5 intends to contest both ALMS and Intercontinental Le Mans races in the LM P2 category, a bold move on the team's part.
"Competing in separate championships in both Europe and North America was a huge undertaking for HPD, but our associates and team partners exceeded all expectations with titles in both ALMS and the Le Mans Series. In the LMS, RML took the title while Strakka Motorsports won the prestigious Le Mans race and three other contests.
Both RML and Strakka continue to run with HPD power in 2011 for the ILMC series; RML are using the HPD chassis this year instead of the Lola they utilized in 2010. Strakka continues with the HPD chassis while the Level 5 ILMC entry - there are two ALMS cars and a single for ILMC - uses a Lola chassis for its attempt to win LM P2 with HPD power.
All three LM P2 entries use HPD's exclusive engine control system, the product of a joint effort between HPD and Honda R&D Americas Inc.
© 2011 Anne Proffit
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