2009 Acura ARX-02a LMP1

• One of two in existence, recently released from Honda, and offered for the first time publicly 
• 6 victories with Indy 500 winner and two-time IndyCar CART Champion Gil de Ferran, in the 2009 American Le Mans Series 
• Pole position in its debut at 2009 Sebring 12 Hrs with de Ferran, Simon Pagenaud and Scott Dixon 
• Highly competitive entry for Masters Endurance Legends series

Campaigned with great success by de Ferran motorsport in the 2009 American Le Mans Series season, this Acura ARX-02a ALMP1 gave Indy 500 winner and two-time CART World Series Champion Gil de Ferran his final race victory in competition, and would be an exciting prospect for modern historic racing.

Jointly developed by Wirth Research and Honda Performance Development, the ARX-02a sought to be the ultimate petrol-engine Le Mans Prototype, effectively an ACO-legal chassis borrowing heavily from Formula One practices.  Developed around a stretched 4L version of its existing P2 non-turbo petrol V8 – Acura’s first ALMP1 gave up some power to its diesel rivals, but was highly competitive due to novel engineering solutions.

Quite famously, designer Nick Wirth adopted full-size rear tires on all four corners, delivering superior mechanical grip.  The Wirth Research-built chassis was also seriously light, allowing the use of strategically placed ballast to shift weight distribution forward.  Combined with highly advanced aero, the ingenious tire and packaging concept made the light weight / high grip Acura competitive with the oil-burners dominating the class.

One of two constructed, this ARX-02a delivered no less than six wins for de Ferran Motorsport across the 2009 season.  After retiring in 2003 de Ferran had called his mentor Sir Jackie Stewart to say enough was enough – but everyone loves a comeback, and in 2008 he returned as driver and team owner.  No one with an ounce of heart could fail to be moved by footage of de Ferran’s final win in this very car at Laguna Seca, climbing out victorious one last time after a tough fought battle.

Preserved untouched since its final race, ARX-02a no. 1 is ready for a return to competition in the Masters Endurance Legends series and more. 

Race History

DATE

EVENT

DRIVER

RESULT

28 Jan 2009

Sebring Test

De Ferran / Pagenaud / Dixon

1

21 March 2009

Sebring 12H

De Ferran / Pagenaud / Dixon

18

4 April 2009

1H55 St. Petersburg

De Ferran / Pagenaud

13

18 April 2009

100 min Long Beach

Pagenaud / de Ferran

1

17 May 2009

2H45 Salt Lake City

De Ferran / Pagenaud

1

18 July 2009

2H45 Lime Rock

De Ferran / Pagenaud

1

8 Aug 2009

2H45 Mid-Ohio

Pagenaud / de Ferran

1

16 Aug 2009

2H45 Road America

Pagenaud / de Ferran

2

30 Aug 2009

2H45 Mosport

De Ferran / Pagenaud

2

26 Sept 2009

Petit Le Mans

De Ferran / Dixon / Pagenaud

24

10 Oct 2009

4H Laguna Seca

Pagenaud / de Ferran

1