Acura conducted a two-day test at Magny-Cours with the ARX-06 LMDh prototype as it ramps up its preparations for the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The ARX-06 LMDh prototype from Acura Motorsports has completed two days of testing, including its first-ever nighttime run as the car is set to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s hybrid GTP class in 2023.
The Oreca LMP2-based competitor was extensively driven around the former French Grand Prix circuit on July 16 and 17, after a first shakedown at Le Castellet earlier in the week. Honda said it was “pleased” with the runs.
After shaking down the new car which will replace the title-winning ARX-05 on Friday at Paul Ricard, both Honda Performance engineer/driver Matt McMurry and Wayne Taylor Racing driver Ricky Taylor were invited back to test the car at Magny Cours.
The front end of the automobile was ingeniously concealed from view in a teaser movie that was published over the weekend, so Acura’s images represent the first time it has been revealed to the public.
“Of course, it is still early days, but I would have to say we’re quite pleased with the results of both the initial shake-down 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.”
The hybrid-powered ARX-06 will compete in IMSA’s new-for-2023 GTP class against new LMDh entries from manufacturers including Cadillac, Porsche, and BMW. It will also be allowed to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class against the series’ own LMH vehicles.
The ARX-06 is just the most recent in a long line of Acura’s endurance prototypes. Together with Honda Performance Development and chassis manufacturer ORECA, the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles finished the exterior design of the vehicle.
Meyer Shank Racing and WTR, who are now first and second in the DPi standings with only the Road America and Petit Le Mans races still to be held, will once again be at the forefront of Acura’s IMSA assault.
