ACURA TEAMS READY FOR 2008 ALMS AFTER A YEAR OF EXPERIENCE

Transcription

1 SPRING 2008 ACURA TEAMS READY FOR 2008 ALMS AFTER A YEAR OF EXPERIENCE The Acura-supported sports-car teams knew that 2007 was going to be a learning experience. along an experienced crew for the 2007 season. As the Acura engine-development team, the Lowe s contingent, co-owned by Adrian Fernandez and Tom Anderson, utilized the proven Lola chassis rather than the new Acura ARX-01a prototype car. The Acura organizations from Andretti Green Racing, Highcroft Racing and Lowe s Fernandez Racing entered the 2007 American Le Mans Series as relative rookies on the tough, 11-event road-racing tour. With the new ARX-01a chassis in 2007, Highcroft Racing, owned by Duncan Dayton, was called upon to lead the development process of the all-new car. Highcroft had the most sports-car experience of the three Acura teams and the Danbury, Conn.-based group worked countless hours to produce a chassis that would be a top contending car. The Andretti Green operation is one of the most successful in motor racing in the past five years, having captured the world s biggest race, the Indianapolis 500, in 2005 and 2007, as well as IndyCar Series drivers championships in 2004, 2005 and The Indianapolis-based team, coowned by Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree, brought a solid group of professionals to the new Acura program after its open-wheel racing triumphs. With a new chassis and new sports-car engine, the Acura squads had to play catch-up from the first test and prepare to battle experienced manufacturers such as Audi, Porsche, Mazda, Chevrolet and Ferrari. Lowe s Fernandez Racing also entered the ALMS after compiling an impressive open-wheel record and brought The Acura contingent expected teething trouble early in

2 Acura s rookie campaign. Little did they think winning the LMP2 class at the prestigious Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring was a possibility. Finishing was the goal. But when Bryan Herta guided the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01a into Sebring s Victory Lane, the impossible became true. Acura had won in its debut race. Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan drove the Andretti Green-prepared machine to the win, followed by the Lowe s Acura Lola of Fernandez and Luis Diaz in one of the most grueling races on any motorsports schedule. It was a 1-2 Acura finish, with the Highcroft team of David Brabham, Stefan Johansson and Dayton coming in fourth. While the Sebring win was the only one for Acura in 2007, nine other podium finishes assisted the three operations in preparing for a title run in The Acura learning process continued through the 2007 season, with the focus squarely on the 2008 campaign. Already in 2008, Acura has announced the formation of a fourth team, with former Indy 500 winner and CART champion Gil de Ferran returning to the driver s seat by mid-season. De Ferran s new effort will be operated by veteran racing executive John Anderson. Herta and Christian Fittipaldi make up the driver lineup for the Andretti Green team, with Brabham and open-wheel veteran Scott Sharp serving as Highcroft s pilots. Fernandez and Diaz return in the Lowe s Acura. Acura s sports-car goals are much different in Winning the LMP2 class championship is at the top of every team s list. ERIK BERKMAN BEGINS INTIAL SEASON AS HPD PRESIDENT Longtime Honda executive Erik Berkman has taken over the helm of Honda Performance Development. In January, Berkman took over as president of HPD for the retiring Robert Clarke. Clarke s 15-year tenure at HPD, which began in 1993, saw the tiny racing shop grow into one of the world s most dynamic and prolific motorsports entities. Under Clarke s leadership, HPD guided Honda racing products to major auto racing championships, including the IndyCar Series and Championship Auto Racing Teams titles, as well as victories at the world s largest auto race, the Indianapolis 500. In addition, the HPDled Acura American Le Mans Series sports-car program captured the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring in Acura s debut in the tough road-racing series. Berkman, a 25-year veteran of Honda and one of Research and Development s most experienced newmodel project leaders, brings a wealth of Honda knowledge and experience to HPD in 2008.

3 Erik brings to HPD strong project-management skills something that HPD needs at this point in its development, when the company is starting to take on multiple projects at the same time: IndyCar engine, American Le Mans Series engine and ALMS chassis, said Clarke. Erik also is an engineer, whereas I m an industrial designer and architect, and he brings a strong technical skill set to better manage HPD s technical division. With a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University, Berkman started his Honda career at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., Marysville Auto Plant in 1982, managing a variety of quality-control and productengineering departments. He moved to the Anna Engine Plant, Anna, Ohio, and continued his work in quality control and product engineering. In 1991, Berkman was transferred to Honda R&D Americas, Inc. to work on the Accord wagon, Honda R&D s first U.S.-designed and developed vehicle. In 1996, he became Chief Engineer, having led pre-development of the 1999 Odyssey, and served as the Large Project Leader (LPL) of the 1998 Accord coupe. In 1999, Berkman was promoted to Executive Engineer, serving as the LPL for a variety of U.S.-developed vehicles, including the Acura CL and Acura s very successful and best selling TL. Erik was identified back in 98 as a strong candidate for my replacement by Tom Elliott, Mr. [Michihiro] Asaka and myself, said Clarke. Erik has the Honda experience, skills and personal traits we felt are necessary in a person to excel as my replacement. LPLs [large project leaders] serve a very important role. In [the] Honda world, the LPL has tremendous power, and in the Honda R&D system in North America, I would say Erik is the most experienced LPL we have. Over the years, HPD s operations have expanded from a small engine-rebuild and trackside-support operation, dependent upon Honda R&D Japan for technical support, to a self-sufficient motorsports R&D company of more than 125 associates. Currently, HPD s activities include complete engine design and development, prototype- and production-engine manu-facturing, chassis R&D, material analysis, and race-team support, among numerous other functions. More recently, HPD expanded its racing activities with Acura entering the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The Acura ALMS program features the Acura LM V- 8, HPD s first-ever and Honda s first racing engine produced outside of Honda R&D Japan. The three Acura-powered teams made a spectacular debut last year by taking the first, second and fourth positions in the LMP2 class at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

4 DE FERRAN MOTORSPORTS BECOMES 4TH ACURA ENTRY IN 2008 Gil de Ferran Will Field ARX-01b Car And Returns To Cockpit In ALMS Gil de Ferran is literally back in the driver s seat in The 2003 Indy 500 winner and two-time CART series point champion returns to U.S. motor racing in a big way this year. The popular Brazilian competitor has announced an agreement with Acura Motorsports to enter a fourth Acura ARX-01b sports car in the LMP2 division of the 2008 American Le Mans Series. The latest Acura entry will be campaigned by de Ferran Motorsports, a newly formed team owned by de Ferran. De Ferran will return to the cockpit as the team s primary driver. De Ferran Motorsports will join the three Acura ALMS teams in 2008 with Andretti Green Racing, Patron Highcroft Racing and Lowe s Fernandez Racing also competing on the 12-race ALMS tour. Headquarters for de Ferran Motorsports is in Brownsburg, Ind. It is extremely exciting to be involved in the new Acura Motorsports program, both as a team owner and as a driver, said de Ferran. The American Le Mans Series has a tremendous combination of technology and fierce competition. The cars look fantastic and the racing in the ALMS series is spectacular. I am eager to get back into the driver s seat and race again. I know this program will be a challenge for me both on and off the track. We have already employed veteran racing executive John Anderson as general manager, which is a great start for our organization. Together, we are working hard to put all the remaining pieces in place. While the original three Acura teams will compete in all 11 American Le Mans Series events, the de Ferran team will enter the series sometimes before mid-season. De Ferran ventures into team ownership after serving as Sporting Director for the Honda Formula One racing team from 2005 to His most recent competition in a race car came at Texas Motor Speedway on October 12, 2003, when he drove to victory for Team Penske in the IndyCar Season finale. He retired from driving after that event. The 2007 American Le Mans Series was a learning experience for Acura and HPD, said Erik Berkman, new president of HPD. Our three teams did a great job last year in gaining information and racing competitively. Now, we are thrilled to add another proven champion to our Acura family, with Gil de Ferran and his new organization. Gil s racing history is certainly impressive, and we plan to continue the process of making the Acura ARX-01b a winner. We hope to have the de Ferran car on track as soon as possible to join in our quest for victories in The American Le Mans Series is extremely excited to add de Ferran to its driver lineup as well as the team as a top contender in the LMP2 class. Gil de Ferran is another A List name being added to the American Le Mans Series that resonates throughout motorsports, joining the likes of Roger Penske, Bobby Rahal, Michael Andretti and many others, said Scott Atherton, ALMS president. His stellar career as both a championship-winning driver in CART and key player in Formula 1 for Honda exemplifies excellence in our industry. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be successful in both roles with Acura. We welcome him into the American Le Mans Series paddock with open arms and eagerly await his debut as a driver and team owner later this season.

5 BRYAN HERTA Started karting at age 12 is a founder of the Snap-On Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League enjoys jet skiing, mountain biking, karting, sport fishing, golf and other outdoor activities favorite channels on XM Satellite Radio include: Top 20 on 20, XM Comedy 150 and 80 s on 8. a fan and occasional singer of alternative rock, he has performed with Kenny Brack and the Subwoofers studied economics at the University of California-Irvine and Ohio State University. Recorded a sensational class win with Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti in Acura s first sports-car race at the 2007 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring in the XM Satellite Acura ARX-01a sports car for Andretti Green Racing Finished second with Marino Franchitti at the Lone Star Grand Prix in 2007 Placed third with Marino Franchitti at the 2007 Grand Prix of Mosport Recorded second career IndyCar Series win after starting on the pole and leading 159 laps at Michigan in 2005 Finished third in the 2005 Indianapolis 500 after starting 18th Drove in two events for Team USA in the 2005 A1 Grand Prix Finished ninth in the 2004 IndyCar Series championship Finished fourth in the 2004 running of the Indianapolis 500 after starting 23rd Earned first career IndyCar Series win in 2003 at Kansas, in only his third series start Scored two career Champ Car victories, both at Laguna Seca ( ) Captured three consecutive Champ Car poles at Laguna Seca ( ) Finished a career-best eighth in the Champ Car Series Championship twice (1996, 1998) Won the 1993 Dayton Indy Lights Championship Captured the 1991 Barber Saab Pro Series title Dominated the 1989 Skip Barber Formula Ford series, winning 14 of 18 events

6 CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI Son of former Brazil racer Wilson Fittipaldi and nephew of two-time Formula One champion and Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi began his racing career at age 10 in karting in Brazil after winning the Formula 3000 championship, competed in Formula One for three years ( ) moved to the United States in 1995 to race in the Champ Car openwheel series teamed with current AGR team owner Michael Andretti to race on the famed Newman/Haas CART squad named Rookie of the Year in the 1995 Indy 500 has raced in NASCAR and Grand-Am series in recent years won the 2004 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Joined the Andretti Green Racing team in 2008 to team with Bryan Herta in the No. 26 XM Satellite Acura ARX-01b sports car in the American Le Mans Series Drove the Crown Royal sports car for Cheever Racing in 2006 and 2007 in the Grand-Am Series Won the 2005 Grand-Am event at Phoenix Won the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 2004 Drove in NASCAR from 2001 to 2003, with Petty Enterprises In a successful Champ Car open-wheel career, scored two wins, at Road America and California Started 134 races in Champ Car, mostly with the Newman/Haas team Recorded 20 podium finishes in his Champ Car career Finished second in his first Indy 500 start in 1995, named Rookie of the Year Drove three years in Formula One with the Minardi and Arrows teams Won the 1991 Formula 3000 drivers championship Captured the 1990 South American Formula 3 championship Scored the 1989 Brazilian Formula 3 title

7 ADRIAN FERNANDEZ Began career in motocross before moving to four wheels and his first auto race, the 24 Hours of Mexico traveled to Europe to race open-wheel cars before coming to North America to compete in 1992 enjoyed a 12-year career at the top levels of open-wheel competition prior to moving to sports cars ranked as one of Mexico s top athletes and celebrities has won numerous awards including Athlete of the Year in Mexico recognized as one of the 300 most influential people in Mexico by a national magazine became a team owner in 2000 with partner and racing veteran Tom Anderson the team has won in Champ Car, IndyCar and Grand-Am competition. Debuted the Lowe s Fernandez Racing team in the American Le Mans Series in 2007, driving with Luis Diaz in the Lowe s Acura Lola in the LMP2 class Scored a second place in the legendary Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring in the Lowe s team s initial race in 2007 Co-drove with Diaz to podium finishes at Mid-Ohio and Laguna Seca in 2007 Finished fourth in the 2007 ALMS LMP2 team point standings Teamed with Mario Haberfield to capture the first sports-car victory for Lowe s Fernandez Racing in the Grand-American Rolex Series race at Mid-Ohio in 2006 Recorded five top-five finishes in his first season in the Grand-Am series in 2006 Has made eight NASCAR Busch Series starts, driving for Team Lowe s Racing and Hendrick Motorsports in 2005 and 2006 Competed in North American openwheel racing for 12 years in the IndyCar and Champ Car series. Won three IndyCar races and finished fifth in the series championship in 2004 In 11 seasons in Champ Car racing ( ), won eight races, four pole positions and claimed 21 podium finishes in 178 starts Finished second in the Champ Car series championship in 2000 Earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1992 Indy Lights series Won the Formula 3 title in Mexico in 1991 Placed fifth in the RAC British Formula Ford 1600 Championship in 1989 Raced and worked as a mechanic at famed Brands Hatch circuit in England Earned Rookie of the Year and placed second in Mexican Formula K Series Two-time Mexican Formula Vee Series champion ( ) Named Rookie of the Year in Mexican Formula Vee Series in 1982

8 LUIS DIAZ Has the nickname Chapulin, which means grasshopper in Spanish began racing karts at age 12 won various national karting championships in Mexico to establish himself as one of Mexico s brightest young racing talents graduated to auto racing at age 18 in Mexico a rising star in open-wheel competition, moved to the sports-car ranks in 2004, claiming eight wins over the past three years was named Driver of the Year in Mexico in Proved to be a solid contender in his initial season in the American Le Mans Series in 2007 Co-drove with Adrian Fernandez in the Lowe s Fernandez Racing Acura Lola sports car in the LMP2 class in the 2007 American Le Mans Series In his ALMS debut, finished second in LMP2 at the legendary Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, helping Acura to a finish Recorded podium finishes with Fernandez at Mid-Ohio and Laguna Seca in 2007 Finished fourth in the 2007 ALMS LMP2 team point standings Driving the Chip Ganassi prototype, teamed with Scott Pruett to win the Grand-American Rolex team championship in 2006 and place second in the drivers championship Finished third in laps led by drivers in the Rolex Series in 2006 Has competed in the A1 Grand Prix Series representing his native Mexico Served as a test driver for Fernandez Racing s Champ Car effort in 2003 Made his Champ Car debut at Mexico City in 2002, subbing for Fernandez Finished fourth in the 2002 Formula Atlantic series with two wins Competed two seasons in Dayton Indy Lights series in 2000 and 2001 Won the Rookie of the Year awards in the 1999 Mexico Indy Lights Championship Captured the Mexican Formula 3 Championship in 1998 Named Rookie of the Year in the Mexican Formula 3 series in 1997 Won numerous national karting titles, including Super 100cc national championship and Category A national championship

9 DAVID BRABHAM Son of Sir Jack Brabham, past Formula One champion, and younger brother of former IMSA and IndyCar star Geoff Brabham born in England but grew up in Australia and is an Australian citizen has lived in the United States previously drove for two different Formula One teams in his career with Brabham (1990) and Simtek (1994) began his racing career in 1983 in a 100cc sprint kart in Australia avid soccer player and follows English Premier League, including Manchester United other interests include cricket, running, tennis and basketball. Drove in all American Le Mans Series races for Highcroft Racing in the Acura ARX-01a sports car in the LMP2 class Recorded an overall pole position at the Lone Star Grand Prix in Houston, Acura s second overall pole of the 2007 ALMS season Scored four podium finishes in LMP2 in 2007 in the Highcroft Acura ARX- 01a Finished third in the 2007 LMP2 team point standings with co-driver Stefan Johansson Only American Le Mans Series driver to win poles in all four classes during his career Won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT1 class for Aston Martin Captured the GT1 division in the Hours of Sebring, driving a Panoz Won the GT1 class at the Hours of Sebring, driving an Aston Martin Has won 12 ALMS races, including seven LMP1 overall victories Won classes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Petit Le Mans and Rolex 24 Captured Australia s biggest race, the Bathhurst 1000, in 1997 with brother Geoff Has started 10 Formula One races Competed in Formula 3000 and Formula Three in Europe Scored victory in the Rallycross event at Brands Hatch in 1993 Won the Hours of Spa in Belgium Captured the 1989 British Formula Three championship Won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix and defeated Michael Schumacher Earned the 1987 Australian Gold Star Formula 2 title in 1987

10 SCOTT SHARP Grew up in auto racing as his father, Bob, was a six-time SCCA national champion and team owner for the Trans-Am cars driven by Paul Newman began his racing career at age eight in karting at age 18, drove his father s Nissan sedan to the SCCA GT-2 national title at Road Atlanta one of the top marketers in motorsports, Sharp brought Patron Tequila to racing. competes in his first full season in the American Le Mans Series after a successful open-wheel racing career described as a fitness fanatic, Sharp spent hours in the gym working to extend his longevity in the demanding sport also enjoys video games, action moves and spending time with his family. Co-drives the No. 9 Patron Acura ARX-01b sports car for Patron Highcroft Racing in the LMP2 class in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. Holds the mark for the most starts by a driver in the IndyCar Series (153) Co-champion in the 1996 IRL IndyCar Series Won nine IndyCar races and six IndyCar pole positions Won IndyCar races in seven consecutive seasons Won $10.3 million in his IRL career Won the pole position at the 2001 Indianapolis 500 Recorded a sixth-place finish in 2007 Indy 500, his best Indy finish Entered open-wheel racing in 1993 with Bettenhausen Motorsports Competed in his first Indy 500 in 1994 for Pac West Racing Won the 1996 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in Riley & Scott car Captured the 1991 SCCA Trans-Am series championship with six race wins Won his second SCCA Trans-Am title in 1993 with six race victories Earned his first Trans-Am victory at Detroit in 1990 Won three consecutive SCCA National Championships, Won his first SCCA title in 1986 in GT-2, driving the same Nissan 280Z that his father Bob had driven to a national championship 15 years earlier 10

11 GIL DE FERRAN Returns to the cockpit for the first time since October, 2003 when he won the IndyCar season finale at Texas co-driver and team owner of the Acura ARX- 01b in the American Le Mans Series served as Sporting Director for the BAR Honda Formula One team from 2005 to 2007 won the 2003 Indy 500, driving for Team Penske won the 2000 and 2001 Champ Car World Series driving championship born to Brazilian parents in Paris, as his father was a mechanical engineer for Willys of Brazil grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil inspired by the success of fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi, began racing at age 14 in a gokart attended Mauá Engineering Institute for three years after attending college, moved to England to race professionally in 1988 captured the British Formula Three Championship in 1992, winning seven races drove for Paul Stewart Racing s Formula 3000 team in 1993 and 1994 moved to the United States in 1995 to drive Jim Hall s open-wheel car in the CART Champ Car World Series. Debuts the de Ferran Acura ARX-01b sports car in the LMP2 class in the American Le Mans Series in Returns to driving a race car for the first time since announcing his retirement after winning his final race, at Texas Motor Speedway in October, 2003 Finished second in the 2003 IRL IndyCar Series driving championship for Team Penske Won the 2003 Indianapolis 500 Won five races in his two full seasons in IRL IndyCar Series Finished second to teammate Helio Castroneves in the 2001 Indy 500 Captured the 2000 and 2001 CART Champ Car World Series driving championships Recorded the fastest official closed-course qualifying lap in U.S. racing history with a speed of m.p.h. at California Speedway in 2001 In seven years in Champ Car, drove to seven wins, including Team Penske s 100th career open-wheel win at Nazareth, Pa., in 2001 His analytical approach has earned him comparisons to Mark Donohue, Penske s first Indy 500 winner Finished second to Alex Zanardi in the 1997 Champ Car driving championship Named Champ Car Rookie of the Year in 1995 and won the final race of the season at Monterey, Calif., driving for racing legend Jim Hall Drove for Paul Stewart Racing in Formula 3000 in Europe

12 2008 American Le Mans Series Schedule DATE EVENT DISTANCE TRACK TV March 15 Mobil miles, 17 turns Sebring International Speed TV Live 12 Hours of Sebring Raceway April 5 Acura Sports Car Challenge 1.8 miles, 11 turns Streets of ABC TV Delayed of St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, Fla. April 19 Grand Prix of Long Beach 1.97 miles, 11 turns Streets of ABC TV Delayed Long Beach, Calif. May 19 Utah Grand Prix 3.06 miles, 15 turns Miller Motorsports Park, Speed TV Delayed Salt Lake City, Utah July 12 Northeast Grand Prix 1.54 miles, 8 turns Lime Rock Park, Speed TV Delayed Lakeville, Conn. July 19 Acura Sports Car Challenge 2.25 miles, 13 turns Mid-Ohio NBC TV Delayed of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio August 9 Generac miles, 12 turns Road America, Speed TV Delayed At Road America Elkhart Lake, Wis. August 24 Mobil 1 Presents the 2.46 miles, 10 turns Mosport Int l Raceway, Speed TV Live Grand Prix of Mosport Bowmanville, Ont., CAN August 30 Detroit Sports Car Challenge 2.1 miles, 13 turns Streets of Belle Isle, Speed TV Live Detroit, Mich. October 4 Petit Le Mans 2.54 miles, 12 turns Road Atlanta, Speed TV Live Braselton, GA October 18 Monterey Sports miles, 11 turns Laguna Seca Raceway, NBC TV Delayed Car Championships Salinas, Calif.