Official release from Acura Media Newsroom:
08/22/2014
Developed from the production 2015 Acura TLX by HPD, the racing arm of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., the Acura TLX GT race car features HPD chassis and aerodynamic performance parts approved for Pirelli World Challenge GT-class competition. It’s powered by a direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V6 engine, developed by HPD from the normally aspirated, production TLX luxury sport sedan. It also utilizes all-wheel drive, as found in Acura”s Super-Handling All Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™).
The Acura TLX GT is campaigned by Wisconsin-based RealTime Racing, the most successful team in Pirelli World Challenge history. Established in 1987 by owner/driver Peter Cunningham, RTR has raced and won with both Honda and Acura products. Since entering the Sports Car Club of America Pro Racing-sanctioned World Challenge series in 1993, the team has scored a record 85 race victories on its way to 14 Manufacturers” Championships and 14 Drivers” Championships.
Race Series and Category: Pirelli World Challenge, GT-class
Team: RealTime Racing
Team Owner: Peter Cunningham
Driver: Peter Cunningham
Vehicle: 2015 Acura TLX 3.5L V6 SH-AWD
Engine: Acura 3.5L V6 with direct injection, twin turbocharged (HR35TT)
Transmission: X-Trac Sequential 6-speed
Drivetrain: X-Trac motorsport all-wheel drive system
Suspension – Front: Modified MacPherson strut
Rear: Multi-link
Brakes: 380x32T 6-piston front / 355x32T 4-piston rear
Body Construction: Modified original steel monocoque with carbon fiber fascia, hood, fenders, doors, trunk, and roof
Special Features: Carbon fiber front splitter and rear wing, air jacks, on-board data system, etc.
About Honda Performance Development
HPD was founded in 1993 as the performance arm of American Honda, to spearhead the company”s entry into Indy car racing. No other manufacturer has matched Honda”s success in Indy cars, which includes 204 race victories, 15 drivers” championships, six manufacturers” championships and nine consecutive Indianapolis 500 victories. In 2013, Honda powered veteran Scott Dixon to four race wins and the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series championship; and Tristan Vautier to series Rookie of the Year honors.
HPD”s prototype racing efforts have resulted in more than 60 victories and multiple American Le Mans Series championships. The company”s sports car racing debut in 2007 at the 12 Hours of Sebring marked the first win for HPD”s LM-V8 engine; and the first for a Honda racing engine designed and developed outside of Japan. HPD won the LMP2 title in the inaugural 2012 World Endurance Championship and has twice won the LMP2 category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2010. In 2013, HPD and Honda again swept the LMP1 and LMP2 manufacturers”, engine, team and drivers” championships in the American Le Mans Series; while HPD-equipped Strakka Racing claimed the LMP1 class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for private team entries.
HPD participates in competition on both two wheels and four. The company offers a complete line of race engines for cars from grass roots to pinnacle; for professional, amateur and entry-level racers. For more information about HPD and the company”s racing and Street Performance product lines, please visit http://hpd.honda.com.
[Source: Acura]