May 15, 2023 — MONTEREY, CA
- Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport comes home fourth in the Motul Course de Monterey
- Meyer Shank Racing leads early, scores sixth-place finish
- Opening-lap contact for Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo22
Acura ARX-06 GTP
It was a fraught race in the premier GTP division, with incidents, traffic and yellow flags impacting the entirety of the two-hour, 40-minute Motul Course de Monterey event, fourth round in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The #10 Acura ran as high as third during the event, following a fantastic pit stop by the team, but would cross the line in just fourth place.
After starting third, Meyer Shank Racing's Acura ARX-06 would find its way to the front of the field on lap one in the hands of starting driver Colin Braun, and would lead a total of 21 laps during the race. But Braun and co-driver Tom Blomqvist struggled with tire wear through the middle stint of the race and would cross the line in sixth place.
Acura NSX GT3 Evo22
In the production-based GTD category, Gradient Racing's chance at a good result was unfortunately upset before they had a chance to move forward. Sheena Monk, starting P14 in the #66 Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 was tapped into a spin and suffered rear suspension damage on lap one of the event. The team worked hard to repair the damage and pick up points as other cars dropped out, and the Monk and Katherine Legge duo would ultimately finish 13th.
Motul Course de Monterey Acura Race Results
- 4th GTP - #10 Filipe Albuquerque and Ricky Taylor; Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport Acura ARX-06
- 6th GTP - #60 Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun; Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06
- 13th GTD - #66 Katherine Legge and Sheena Monk; Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo22
- The Acura ARX-06 is the first hybrid-powered racing car designed, developed and built by HPD, the North American racing arm for both Honda and Acura, in partnership with chassis supplier ORECA [ORganisation Exploitation Competition Automobiles].
- The Acura ARX-06 features a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 internal combustion engine, mated to a hybrid systems consisting of a Bosch MGU and electronics providing energy stored in a battery pack developed by Williams Advanced Engineering. Power for the hybrid system is taken from the rear axle and brakes, and modulated by software specifically developed by HPD for the Acura ARX-06.
- The Acura Styling Studio worked directly with HPD's aerodynamicists and CFD aero engineers to develop the shape and maximize the aerodynamic performance envelope of the ARX-06, while incorporating current Acura production vehicle styling cues.
