Sportscars: First American LMDh engagement: Acura in IMSA 2023

Sportscars: First American LMDh engagement: Acura in IMSA 2023

Following the announcements of Audi and Porsche on the European side, there is now also the first entry of the United States for a program in the new class of LMDh prototypes in long distance races from 2023. Acura Motorsports, the The sports arm of Honda’s sister brand, has announced the development of an LMDh prototype for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for 2023 and beyond.

Text: René de Boer (Twitter: @renedeboer)
Photo: PR

Acura’s announcement in the week leading up to the Rolex 24 At Daytona, where the LMDh class was touted as a joint initiative for the IMSA Series and the FIA ​​WEC last year, was extremely brief. “Acura Motorsports confirmed today that it will continue to compete in the top class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023 under the new Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh) format.”

Unlike the announcements from Audi and Porsche, which made explicit reference to the IMSA WeatherTech Championship and the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship, Acura’s press release specifically refers to the North American Series. Over the past two seasons, Acura has won all titles (Drivers, Teams and Manufacturers) in the DPi category of the IMSA Championship with Team Penske. In 2019, Acura also won the GTD class driver and team titles with the NSX, which even won all three titles last year.

“All of us at IMSA are delighted with the response to the LDMh concept and the global partnership,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “With the commitments already announced and the number of automakers still studying LMDh as a marketing and technology platform, there is a lot of development ahead of our sport. Our loyal fans around the world really have something to look forward to. . Look.”