ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — The most technologically-advanced racing machines in North America will be forced into a “street fight” in the April 5 Acura Sports Car Challenge. The prototype sports cars of the American Le Mans Series feature Formula One-style computerization, paddle shifting, traction control and incredible braking. But those items may be reduced to a drivers slamming and banging their cars on the 14-turn 1.8-mile street circuit near the St. Petersburg harbor. Advance technology may not be as important as pushing and shoving in tight quarters in the nearly two-hour contest that will be televised on ABC-TV. Three strong Acura-backed LMP2 sports car teams figure to be right in the thick of the “street fight” when the green flag drops at 1:25 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday, April 5. A year ago, the three all-new Acura prototype teams made the car maker’s sports car racing debut at the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring and even surprised themselves with a sensational 1-2-4 finish in the LMP2 class.
Two weeks ago, the racing squads of Andretti Green Racing, Lowe’s Fernandez Racing and Patrón Highcroft Racing challenged the potent Porsches, Audis and Peugeots for the overall price on the grueling Sebring airport track in central Florida.
Now, the LMP2 Acura teams switch their focus from reliability and survival of the 12-hour event to developing a handling car with lightening speed on the straightaways and traction in the corners. Leading the Acura charge with the Lowe’s contingent of Mexican driving stars Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz, who led last year’s Acura Challenge at St. Pete before a late race mishap cost them the victory. At Sebring, the duo drove wheel-to-wheel with winning Porsche throughout the 12-hour classic.
A switch from the Lola to the new No. 15 Acura ARX-01b car has given the Lowe’s team a more competitive and consistent machine in all types of tracks including street circuits.
The Andretti Green Racing pair of Bryan Herta and Christian Fittipaldi, who led overall at Sebring before some overheating troubles, bring the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01b to St. Pete with vast street racing experience. Herta won the IndyCar Series pole at St. Pete in 2005 and finished second last year at Houston in great comeback effort. Fittipaldi was a top contender in the open-wheel competition for over a decade and placed second in the streets of Miami in his last street race in 2002.
The Highcroft team, after placing third in 2007 LMP2 team standings, sports new livery with
Patrón Spirits as the primary sponsor. Veteran David Brabham leads the Patrón team along with former
IndyCar Series champion Scott Sharp. The Patrón squad placed fifth overall at the recent Sebring race
and fourth in the highly-competitive LMP2 division. Sharp is a three-time St. Pete starter in Indy cars.
