DoMiNo
04-14-2006, 12:33 AM
<IMG SRC="http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/news/2006/0413/acura.concept.2.500.jpg" BORDER="0"><p><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>edmunds</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> NEW YORK Acura said on Wednesday it will enter the 2007 American Le Mans Series, initially competing in the LMP2 class with a competition debut at Sebring in 2007.<p>The move was designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the brand, the company said.<p>An Acura-powered endurance racing prototype will make its debut at the 55th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March 2007, racing against factory teams from Audi, Porsche and Mazda. The new Acura ALMS programs will feature the first racing engine designed and developed in-house by Honda Performance Development of Santa Clarita, California, American Honda's racing subsidiary. It will mark the first time HPD has taken on multiple concurrent motorsports programs in ALMS and the Indy Racing League.<p>In 2007, the Acura race program will feature HPD engines and chassis from multiple manufacturers, including Lola Cars International of England and Courage of France. After initial competition in the LMP2 class, plans call for the development of an Acura LMP1 chassis and engine package to compete in the ALMS, with an eye on an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.<p>What this means to you: The competition at ALMS gets a serious kick in the pants next year, with Acura breathing down the necks of competitors like Audi and Porsche. </TD></TR></TABLE><p><A HREF="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=110020" TARGET="_blank">http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...10020</A>