Acura/HPD's future plans

[Matt]

no ones gonna run it still

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Matt

no ones gonna run it still

But it does go well in conjunction with this....

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/13321...n-the-pipeline








L.P.

[YZFrider]

Worst kept secret is right lol. It does mention AMG DPi project has been abandoned 😔

[Ephaeton]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

But it does go well in conjunction with this....

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/13321...n-the-pipeline








L.P.

Don't understand the connection you're implying. Aren't DPis supposed to be based on one of the approved WEC P2 constructors only? I.e., AFAIUI, the HPD does not qualify as a basis for a DPi. That leaves them slapping their engine into a(nother) P2 chassis, and use the ARX 04b's bodywork as their manufacturer styled body on a foreign chassis, no?

[Coach Ep]

Correct, HPD is not one of the 4 approved chassis constructors for 2018* and beyond.

(*their current car is grandfathered in for 2017 only but at current performance levels, supposed to be inferior to that of the 2017 cars.)

Unless IMSA changes its mind of course.

[MagVanisher]

I wouldn't mind gutting out the bodywork and stick it in either a OAK chassis tub or an Oreca one. Still, it's not a good option if you're a privateer.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Ephaeton

Don't understand the connection you're implying. Aren't DPis supposed to be based on one of the approved WEC P2 constructors only? I.e., AFAIUI, the HPD does not qualify as a basis for a DPi. That leaves them slapping their engine into a(nother) P2 chassis, and use the ARX 04b's bodywork as their manufacturer styled body on a foreign chassis, no?

Yes, in '18. That gives them all year to tweak on aero and engine, a mule if you will. If they are one of the 4 engines currently in the pipeline for DPi then it will be legal in the ARX 04B as it will be a homologated IMSA engine. I suspect that Onroak would be their constructor of choice to pair with in '18 for a DPi.

"Q. What cars are eligible in the 2017 WeatherTech Championship Prototype class? A. DPi cars, 2017 LM P2 cars and closed-cockpit 2016 LM P2 cars with IMSA-homologated engines will be eligible. After the 2017 season, 2016 LM P2 cars no longer will be eligible."

http://sportscarchampionship.imsa.co...al-dpi-concept






L.P.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

I wouldn't mind gutting out the bodywork and stick it in either a OAK chassis tub or an Oreca one. Still, it's not a good option if you're a privateer.

I think it might be an excellent option for Shank as a 'werks' test mule team in '17, to set them up as a 'blessed' HPD team for '18. If HPD is truly on the DPi path.








L.P.

[Ephaeton]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Yes, in '18. That gives them all year to tweak on aero and engine, a mule if you will. If they are one of the 4 engines currently in the pipeline for DPi then it will be legal in the ARX 04B as it will be a homologated IMSA engine. I suspect that Onroak would be their constructor of choice to pair with in '18 for a DPi.

"Q. What cars are eligible in the 2017 WeatherTech Championship Prototype class? A. DPi cars, 2017 LM P2 cars and closed-cockpit 2016 LM P2 cars with IMSA-homologated engines will be eligible. After the 2017 season, 2016 LM P2 cars no longer will be eligible."

http://sportscarchampionship.imsa.co...al-dpi-concept




L.P.

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Leaves me with the question whether the ARX04b is considered a "2016" car, given it's really a 2014/2015 car. But it is/was legal for 2016, so one might say, it is a "2016" car.

[chernaudi]

Whatever you say about the ARX-04, it's protracted development killed it and no one's gonna run it next year unless they're desperate, since, IMSA rule changes aside, it'll be obsolete by the end of next season. And if IMSA keeps on their path of not BOP'ing the older cars to be fully competitive with the newer ones, it'll already be pretty much obsolete from a performance stand point.

HPD will more than likely have to partner with one of the four currently approved LMP2 makers, and probably carry over the current IMSA prototype engine, or the engine from the NSX GT3.

[Articus]

I cannot wrap my head around the lack of a NSX GTE. Honda fumbling about with in indycar, lmp. Why aren't they paying more attention to GTE. Look at the Ford.

[MagVanisher]

@Articus
I feel your pain, but it can't be helped! Heck, I want the NSX race in GTE Class by reworking either the existing GT500 or yet-to-be-released GT3 car.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

@Articus
I feel your pain, but it can't be helped! Heck, I want the NSX race in GTE Class by reworking either the existing GT500 or yet-to-be-released GT3 car.

lol what.

that cant happen

[TF110]

Honda probably want to make some money so they did a gt3.

[Accident]

Can't see the NSX GT3 being a big seller at this point, unless of course they make it quite cheap and offer plenty of support. The PWC/IMSA effort/efforts are sounding like it/they will be factory-supported, and surely a few will go to SuperGT, but outside of that I don't see it being a big hit.

There are just too many proven packages from more prestigious manufacturers that are capable of offering drivers and support.

The Viper was a capable car, built by a well-known constructor with factory support, and was a follow-up to the popular Competition Coupe (that had good longevity), but that didn't help it sell.

Not sure what advantage the NSX would have over any other choice... Speed will just be equalized with the BoP, amateur drivers already have several comfortable and confidence-inspiring cars to choose from, Honda won't be able to match the setup book of the bigger GT3 sellers, and they don't have a stable of factory drivers built up to offer to teams. Not sure what their parts supply situation in Europe is either, which is the biggest market for GT3 cars.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem like most teams care about setting themselves apart from the rather same-y GT3 grids we see everywhere by choosing a less common car. I really expected a few more of the Vipers to sell to teams looking to not just be yet another 458/R8/SLS/Z4. It makes sense in some cases, I mean I guess most wealthy businessmen paying for a seat would rather say they race a Ferrari or gull-wing Mercedes than a Viper or Reiter Camaro or Callaway Corvette or whatever, and most of the pro-driven cars are factory backed which the Viper/Chev/etc wouldn't have.

Anyway, to make a game out of it, I'll predict 2 for PWC, 1 for IMSA (2 if they are serious about it though), 3 to SuperGT, 2 to other Asian teams (1 of which will only run at club level), and 1 to Australia.

[TF110]

Honda will be able to sell it if there's interest, good backing and if the car performs well. I think at least 2 will be in Super GT, two in PWC, maybe a car in IMSA and from there we'll see what happens.

[chernaudi]

Only problem for Honda/Acura is how many NSX GT3s they can sell. The GT3 arena is a lot more crowded with quality cars than it was even a few years ago. But teams that have been loyal to/interested in Honda in the past will probably snap them up. That also includes teams in Europe, not just North America and Japan.

[rich07]

I think that any NSX in Australia will depend on Honda Aus and I'm not convinced they'll come to the party. Maybe if they want a halo car to take on the Nissan GT-R but I'm not very confident that'll be enough.

[Accident]

Originally Posted by rich07

I think that any NSX in Australia will depend on Honda Aus and I'm not convinced they'll come to the party. Maybe if they want a halo car to take on the Nissan GT-R but I'm not very confident that'll be enough.

Well I can't usually follow Australian GT races directly so I maybe wrong on this, but what little I have seen/read it seems there are a few there that actually value grabbing something different (Reiter Camaros, that one Callaway Corvette that Murph co-drove a few times, Ford GT) and the Quinns seemed to like grabbing the "hot new" GT3 car a few times, so I saw a possibility for one to go to a private team that wanted to be different.