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The three new Acura American Le Mans Collection groups made a spectacular debut Saturday by taking the first, second and fourth positions in the LMP2 class at the 55th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, one of many world's most prestigious road-racing events. The Andretti Inexperienced Racing effort, with drivers Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan, scored the LMP2 class victory over the Lowe's Fernandez Racing crew of Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz after the grueling 12-hour endurance contest. The AGR trio finished second total to the manufacturing facility Audi LMP1, racing on the lead lap in opposition to the extra highly effective German producer earlier than gearbox woes slowed the Acura ARX-01a driven by Herta in the remaining hour. The Fernandez crew positioned third overall, just two laps shy of the AGR team. The Highcroft Racing louisville used cars team, with drivers David Brabham, Stefan Johansson and Duncan Dayton, positioned fourth in the ALMS and sixth total in its Acura ARX-01a sports car. The victory was special for the workers of Honda Efficiency Development as the successful machine was designed and developed, in partnership with chassis specialist Wirth Research, on the HPD headquarters in Santa Clarita, Calif. It marked the first time an HPD-designed engine and automotive had competed in a U.S. racing event. The general used cars louisville successful Audi completed 364 laps, with the Andretti Inexperienced Acura ARX-01a finishing with 358 laps and Fernandez Racing at 356. Highcroft Racing recorded 351 laps Saturday. The LMP2 race was set as much as be a battle between the manufacturing facility Porsches from Penske Racing and the three Acura manufacturing unit cars. But early brake trouble for the Porsches proved to be German marque's demise. The Acuras from AGR and Highcroft set the tempo within the class while the Fernandez automotive had a steering challenge within the first three hours. kentucky used cars An electrical problem slowed the Highcroft automotive and the Andretti Green XM Satellite tv for pc Radio Acura ARX-01a ran sturdy into the night hours. The ARX-01a chassis will unveiled Thursday in a particular media event. Until used cars kentucky the final hour, the AGR machine challenged the more-highly effective Audi lap for lap, before the late race gearbox downside slowed Herta in the closing hour. The Acura end was one of the crucial impressive debuts ever seen in the fifty five-year historical past of the famed Sebring Worldwide Raceway and set the stage for the reminder of the 12-race American Le Mans Series. The next Acura event is Saturday, March 31, on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., the three-hour Acura Sports Automobile Challenge. 12 Hours Of Sebring Results LMP2 Class 1. ANDRETTI GREEN RACING (Herta, Franchitti, Kanaan) 2. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ RACING ACURA (Fernandez, Diaz) 4. HIGHCROFT RACING ACURA (Brabham, Johansson, Dayton) Acura Quotes: ROBERT CLARKE, HPD President: "I am unable to put it into words. I'd price it as one of many highest emotional experiences I've had. A lot work went into this program. We gained on multiple levels. I couldn't have think about it will end this way. It's been an extended highway, not just for HPD however for Acura, our teams, sponsors, drivers and everyone who is concerned within the program." MICHAEL ANDRETTI, co-proprietor, No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01a automotive that Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan drove to LMP2 victory Saturday: "This was a fun race, except for those last 20 laps. We had some points with Bryan at the finish and we received by them. It was an actual cliffhanger for us with the gearbox. It was a great way to start out in Acura's first manufacturing facility sports automotive race. It was a troublesome race and we knew it coming into this weekend. However the 12-hour simulation race last month right here helped us, and all of the Acura teams had been prepared for at this time's race. Obviously, it paid off for all three teams." BRYAN HERTA (26 XM Satellite tv for pc Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "Everybody at AGR and Acura worked so hard to place this program together. And in such a short time. I didn't know what to expect right here at Sebring. It is such a tough race. I couldn't think about popping out and used trucks kentucky successful proper out of the box. It's a super effort for Acura in its first American Le Mans Series race and its first Sebring race. The 12-hour simulation race we ran in February was an enormous help for our group and the entire Acura teams. We discovered a lot from that experience. It was very nervous for us within the last hour since we had some gearbox problems. I wasn't certain if we were going to make it to the finish. But the AGR guys talked me by way of the problems and we cruised residence for the win. It was fun to win with my good pals Dario [Franchitti] and Tony [Kanaan]." DARIO FRANCHITTI (26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "It's amazing simply to think about where the Acura program was six months in the past and what the fellows at the AGR shop were taking a look at for this project. We had been able to work from nearly scratch to make a automobile that was quick and reliable. The team - the engineers and mechanics - was flawless today. We had an amazing race car. That final hour I had my heart in my mouth when Bryan had the gearbox problem. It was tough to sit down there and watch. kentucky used cars But he brought it dwelling and that is all that matters. It is so good to be on the rostrum with your friends. Bryan, Tony and I've raced collectively for a long time. So that is very particular for all of us. You can not have asked for a greater finish here at Sebring." TONY KANAAN (26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): "This win is particular in many ways. I've been with the Honda and Acura household for a few years they usually have been with me for many of my success here within the United States. It is a dream to win a race with two of my best friends. And for Acura. They've been behind me for years and to win in their first sports activities automobile race is fantastic. I do not want to take something away from the other races or championships I've won. However this victory is something I'll never forget. I wasn't that snug autos louisville within the automotive coming right here, since I only drove twice before. Bryan and Dario helped me get used to the car and I need to thank them for serving to me. The AGR guys did an amazing job with the automotive and the race technique to take the XM automobile to the winner's circle. This win is very exciting." Upcoming: Acura Sports Automobile Challenge Date: March 30-31, 2007 Location: St. Petersburg, Fla. road course Observe Type: 1.eight-mile road circuit Race: Round 2 of 12 Races, 5:05 p.m. American Le Mans Collection Distance: 2 hours, forty five minutes.
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