Ricky Taylor and Matt McMurry Turn Laps in the Acura ARX-06 at Paul Ricard and Magny Cours Circuits
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Acura ARX-06 LMDh completed its first on-track test over the weekend in preparation for the prototype’s competitive debut in 2023 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class.
Wayne Taylor Racing driver Ricky Taylor and Honda Performance Development (HPD) engineer Matt McMurry, a two-time WeatherTech Championship champion, handled driving duties for a shakedown test at Paul Ricard Circuit near Marseilles, France, followed by two full-on testing days at Circuit de Nevers in Magny Cours, France.
“Of course, it is still early days, but I would have to say we’re quite pleased with the results of both the initial shakedown runs last week at Paul Ricard; followed by two days this weekend, which ran into the night both on Saturday and Sunday,” said David Salters, HPD president and technical director. “Everyone on our team from ORECA, HPD, the Wayne Taylor and Meyer Shank organizations worked together extraordinarily well in preparing for and conducting these initial runs. Now the truly hard work begins!”
Precision Crafted Peformance.
Track testing of the @Acura ARX-06 continued over the weekend at Magny-Cours. Another massive team effort from everyone at HPD and @Oreca – Thank You!#AcuraMotorsports pic.twitter.com/lVC00ulh6X
— HPD-North American Motorsport (@HondaRacing_HPD) July 19, 2022
Acura is one of four manufacturers developing LMDh platform cars to compete in the GTP class next season, along with BMW, Cadillac and Porsche. Lamborghini is scheduled to join them in 2024. Wayne Taylor Racing and Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian – Acura’s two partner teams in the current Daytona Prototype international (DPi) class – will continue in that role into the GTP era. ORECA also continues with Acura as the chassis supplier.
LMDh regulations permit manufacturers to develop their own internal combustion engines that are paired with a single-source hybrid powertrain that in combination can produce up to 680 horsepower. Manufacturers are also free to develop exterior styling cues reminiscent of their own particular brand.
Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles led the ARX-06 design in conjunction with HPD, the racing arm for Acura Motorsports and Honda Racing in North America, and ORECA.
The GTP era begins with the 2023 season opener, the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29.