Acura at the 24 Hours of Daytona in “alternate reality”

(Motorsport-Total.com) – Last year’s win may have been overshadowed by a tire pressure trick, but this year Acura may wish it didn’t have any worries about potentially losing the win. Because at the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona, the two Acura ARX-06s powered by Wayne Taylor Racing and Andretti Autosport aren’t moving at all.

The reason is quickly found: the Acura ARX-06 weighs 42 kg more than last year and now has a base weight of 1,072 kg. Although it has a maximum output of 520 kilowatts, that does not make up for the weight deficit. (Overview of BoP 24h Daytona 2024)

Competition from BMW, Cadillac and Porsche is also allowed to drive more powerfully than last year, but doesn’t have to carry nearly as much weight. In 2023, all GTP cars had the same classification. Filipe Albuquerque from WTR-Andretti-Acura #10 (R. Taylor/Albuquerque/Hartley/Ericsson) takes the position.

“Louis (Deletraz) said he did a good lap and I think I played well too,” he says opposite. Sport365. “There wasn’t much more possible. The pole position was completely unattainable.”

“It’s hard to say what others did in practice, but we never got close to the top times in any session, and qualifying was no different. That’s what it is.”

Only once under 1:36 in race trim

After testing in racing trim, the Acura ARX-06’s best time was 1:35.939 minutes through Albuquerque. It was Acura’s only run under 1:36 before qualifying. And in qualifying, Louis Deletraz was almost the second half of the best time.

The free practice sessions so far have shown a similar picture to that of “Kishindo”: both Acuras are having serious problems getting under 1:36, with the competition out 35 times.

“I don’t want to talk too much about this topic (BoP),” continues the Portuguese. “Those involved know better than us, they have data on all the cars, so I have to trust their work, compared to last year we have a lot of weight, especially compared to Petit Le Mans, where Acura and Cadillac were very visible. right, now it’s a little different.”

“Acura was better prepared (at Daytona 2023) and put the car in the window more effectively. Over the course of the season, things went well, with Acura and Cadillac tending to be further ahead in the series. We knew that from the start. The season was going to be like this. “

“Now we are in a phase where we balance the different manufacturers and give everyone a chance to win. Now it is no longer the job we did before. We still have a good car, but now we are 40 kg heavier than the Cadillac. .”

He expects it to be more difficult in the race because the increased base weight always means more tire wear.