A Hat-trick of Le Mans Class Wins for Honda Performance Development (HPD) LMP Prototypes
BICESTER, England, June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Wirth Research is delighted to announce Honda Performance Development's (HPD) third Le Mans prototype class victory in the past four seasons.
After a gruelling 24 hours, Strakka Racing topped the LMP1 Privateers podium at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours at the weekend in an HPD ARX-03c, a car designed and manufactured by Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Wirth Research.
This is the second Le Mans class victory for this racing triumvirate. In 2010, Strakka Racing dominated LMP2 and finished 1st in class and a stunning 5th overall in their HPD ARX-01c.
Strakka Racing's latest victory comes on the back of a dominant 2013 US season for the ARX-series cars, as HPD's prototypes currently lead the American Le Mans Series in both the LMP1 and LMP2 categories.
"The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the toughest endurance races. Strakka Racing's 2013 ARX-03c LMP1 car has been highly updated from their 2012 ARX-03a, which was the fastest qualifying privateer at last year's event." said Nick Wirth, President of Wirth Research.
"Over the winter, we heavily updated the car to use Michelin's wide front LMP1 tires, hence the change in 2013 model name to the 03c. Successfully executing yet another major aerodynamic and mechanical update allowed Wirth Research and HPD another great opportunity to showcase our companies' combined capabilities - the strength and efficiency of Wirth Research's world-class CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) based digital aerodynamic and chassis development processes, combined with HPD's championship-winning engine development technology. To see Strakka have another smooth and reliable run from flag to flag was extremely satisfying, and gives us yet more confidence for the success of HPD's future projects with us in this class. Congratulations to Nick Leventis and all the Strakka team!
Finally, on behalf of everyone at Wirth Research, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Allan Simonsen, who lost his life in an accident during the Le Mans 24 Hour race on Saturday."
About Wirth Research (http://www.wirthresearch.com)
Wirth Research is a group of innovative engineering companies specialising in research, development, design and manufacture for the motor racing industry and other high technology sectors.
Wirth Research offers flow simulation and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) services. The Business pioneers the use of advanced virtual engineering technologies, developed in-house, which enable the use of a complete simulated vehicle design, development and testing process. This reduces the need for wasteful manufacture of development models and prototypes.
Wirth Research is proud to continue its long-term partnership with Honda Performance Development Inc (HPD) on the design, development and manufacture of the championship-winning ARX sports car programme, with HPD customer teams fielding cars in the LMP1 and LMP2 classes of the American Le Mans Series and the World Endurance Championship. In 2012, the cars scored numerous race wins in both series (including Sebring 12 hour and the Le Mans 24 hour races, in LMP2) and secured LMP2 class titles in both series, and the LMP1 class title in the American series.
From 2013 onwards, Wirth Research is continuing to collaborate with HPD to provide the Honda-powered IndyCar teams with advanced chassis technical support.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Honda Performance Development (HPD) (http://hpd.honda.com)
Honda Performance Development (HPD) is the Honda racing company within North America. Located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for high-performance Honda racing cars and engines. The company is marking its 20th anniversary in 2013.
As one of three engine suppliers to the IZOD IndyCar Series, Honda won the 2012 Indianapolis 500 with driver Dario Franchitti; and has scored 199 race victories in both CART and IZOD IndyCar Series competition since 1994.
HPD takes part in both the American Le Mans Series - where the company swept all manufacturer, engine, team and driver awards in the 2012 ALMS LMP1 and LMP2 categories - and the FIA World Endurance Championship, winning the inaugural LMP2 championship during a year where it again took an LMP2 class win at the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, the company's second class win at Le Mans in just three consecutive attempts.
HPD offers a variety of race engines for track applications from prototype sports cars to karting; and showcases "fun-to-drive" products for professional, amateur and entry-level racers.
For further information, contact:
David Dupont
Head of Business Development
Tel: +44-1869-355271
Mob: +44-7557-416-617
david.dupont@wirthresearch.com
Share this article