2009 Acura ARX-02a LMP1

Campaigned with great success by de Ferran motorsport in the 2009 American Le Mans Series season, this Acura ARX-02a LMP1 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 LMP1 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 lightweight / 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 | RESULT28 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