RealTime Racing TSX

Press release from realtimerl.com:

RealTime Readies V6 Acura TSX for 2012 World Challenge
Drivers Cunningham and Esayian return with eyes on GTS Championship

SAUKVILLE, Wis. (February 28, 2012) – RealTime Racing will enter the 2012 Pirelli World Challenge Championships with renewed vigor, as the Wisconsin-based team revealed plans to field a pair of V6-powered Acura TSXs in the GTS category.Peter Cunningham, of Milwaukee, Wis., and Nick Esayian, of Encinitas, Calif., both return to pilot the No. 42 and No. 34 Acuras.

After winning the inaugural GTS Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships in 2010, RealTime went head-to-head with a GTS field predominated by V8-powered Boss 302 Ford Mustangs in 2011. The team took home one win, two pole positions and eight podium finishes en route to a runner-up finish for Acura in the manufacturer standings. For 2012, the upgrade to a V6 power plant will play a key role in RealTime’s quest to return the GTS manufacturer trophy to Acura.

“Acura’s four-cylinder TSX engine served us well for eight seasons, winning the Touring Car Manufacturers’ Championship in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009, and the first-ever GTS title in 2010,” Cunningham said. “With the GTS class growing in popularity and diversity, it’s become necessary for us to take a step up in Acura’s range of TSX options.”

Acura’s 3.5-liter VTEC® V6 combined with the TSX’s nimble handling will provide RealTime with the perfect weapon to take on the larger displacement and forced-induction machinery of GTS and pursue a record-10th World Challenge Manufacturers’ title for Acura. A slew of Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros dominate the 2012 World Challenge GTS entry list, but the diverse category also sees Acura up against the BMW M3, Nissan 370Z, Mitsubishi Evo, Audi TT, Porsche Cayman S and 996, plus a pair of factory-backed turbocharged Kia Optimas.

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2010 Strakka Racing HPD ARX-01

The Acura ARX-01 used by Fernandez Racing to win the 2009 ALMS LMP2 title has finished first in its class and fifth overall at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Strakka Racing’s HPD ARX-01 lead the LMP2 category most of the race challenged only by Highcroft’s HPD ARX-01. While trailing by only 2 laps, the Highcroft car was struck with a water pressure problem that kept it in and out of the pits for the final hours. They were eventually able to get the car back out finishing the race 9th in LMP2 and 25th overall. Second place in LMP2 went to the OAK Racing team who finished six laps behind Strakka. 

The RML Lola Coupe powered by the HPD(Honda Performance Development) V8 engine came in 3rd in LMP2 and 8th overall. 

Despite the water pressure issue that prevented what have could of been a 1-2 finish for Honda Performance Development, it was an impressive showing for its first attempt at the 24 Hours of Lemans. 

[Image Source: Strakka Racing]