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GRAND-AM
SPORTSCAR: Acura NSX In The Works For GT
Honda Performance Development set to launch Acura NSX on GT racing platform by as early as 2014...
Acura's NSX, set to go on sale for the 2015 model year, will race in yet-to-be-deterimed championship(s). (Photo: Honda)
With the GT racing landscape already seeing significant manufacturer involvement, another top automaker is about to throw its hat in.
SPEED.com has learned that Honda, through its American subsidy Honda Performance Development, plans to enter the GT ranks with its new Acura NSX, potentially by as early as 2014.
The new mid-engined gasoline-electric hybrid sports car, set for a likely launch in the 2015 model year, is being designed and manufactured at Honda R&D Americas in central Ohio, as part of a project headed up by former HPD president Erik Berkman.
Steve Eriksen, Vice President of Honda Performance Development, has confirmed the NSX will race once the production car hits the showroom floor. He said they are currently exploring all potential avenues, including both domestically and abroad.
"We're studying the various series and seeing what would make the most sense," Eriksen told SPEED.com. "There's certainly regional series that have been traditional NSX venues. Honda has raced in Super GT for years and in the past has been NSX-based.
“In America, there's only a couple of sports car options for us. But certainly, I think Le Mans is ultimately where it make great sense to have a car to show its prowess. But I think it all depends on where the regulations go in the future."
One of the major question marks is whether the NSX GT car would be a hybrid. Current ACO GTE rules don’t allow for hybrid systems, although it has been a talking point in recent manufacturer meetings.
It also has not been decided if the program would initially be a full factory or customer-based effort, although Eriksen understands the importance of customer sales.
"Given that we've had some good success in offering sports cars in prototypes, I think we've got the capability to offer the NSX in some point in the future that customers can buy and race,” he said.
“But to get to that point, we've got a lot of research that needs to be done and we need to understand where the market is going and where are the series going."
GRAND-AM recently announced the launch of the GX category for 2013, which will accept alternative technologies such as a diesel-powered Mazda SKYACTIV-D vehicle. But it’s unclear if similar style of class would be embraced in the GRAND-AM/ALMS merger, which will be made official on Wednesday.
"We're just bouncing ideas around right now” Eriksen said. “The mission statement for the car was that it was to be raced. Where it is to be raced and in what spec has never been part of that broad statement.
“Right now, it's down to internal discussions to say, 'Based on what we know about the base car, where does it make the most sense to race it?'"
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
SPEED.com has learned that Honda, through its American subsidy Honda Performance Development, plans to enter the GT ranks with its new Acura NSX, potentially by as early as 2014.
The new mid-engined gasoline-electric hybrid sports car, set for a likely launch in the 2015 model year, is being designed and manufactured at Honda R&D Americas in central Ohio, as part of a project headed up by former HPD president Erik Berkman.
Steve Eriksen, Vice President of Honda Performance Development, has confirmed the NSX will race once the production car hits the showroom floor. He said they are currently exploring all potential avenues, including both domestically and abroad.
"We're studying the various series and seeing what would make the most sense," Eriksen told SPEED.com. "There's certainly regional series that have been traditional NSX venues. Honda has raced in Super GT for years and in the past has been NSX-based.
“In America, there's only a couple of sports car options for us. But certainly, I think Le Mans is ultimately where it make great sense to have a car to show its prowess. But I think it all depends on where the regulations go in the future."
One of the major question marks is whether the NSX GT car would be a hybrid. Current ACO GTE rules don’t allow for hybrid systems, although it has been a talking point in recent manufacturer meetings.
It also has not been decided if the program would initially be a full factory or customer-based effort, although Eriksen understands the importance of customer sales.
"Given that we've had some good success in offering sports cars in prototypes, I think we've got the capability to offer the NSX in some point in the future that customers can buy and race,” he said.
“But to get to that point, we've got a lot of research that needs to be done and we need to understand where the market is going and where are the series going."
GRAND-AM recently announced the launch of the GX category for 2013, which will accept alternative technologies such as a diesel-powered Mazda SKYACTIV-D vehicle. But it’s unclear if similar style of class would be embraced in the GRAND-AM/ALMS merger, which will be made official on Wednesday.
"We're just bouncing ideas around right now” Eriksen said. “The mission statement for the car was that it was to be raced. Where it is to be raced and in what spec has never been part of that broad statement.
“Right now, it's down to internal discussions to say, 'Based on what we know about the base car, where does it make the most sense to race it?'"
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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