Involved in programs for Honda in endurance racing and Virgin F1, Nick Wirth is a busy man. His short answers, however, suggests the trust he places in his new cars.

His company Wirth Research has been associated with Honda Performance Development since the launch of Acura in 2006. Today, the successful ARX-01 in LM P2 (win the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2010) encouraged both parties to become more involved in the discipline. The programme is maintained not only in LM P2 , but HPD intends to take advantage of regulatory change to rise to the ranks of Audi and Peugeot in LM P1.

What are the effects of the new engine rules for ARX01? Nick Wirth: "The 2011 engine rules have required the development of a new V6 turbo road-car based engine by Honda Performance Development (HPD). In addition, the 3.4L V8 gasoline engine has been redeveloped for use in LMP1."

Can you tell me about the progress of the ARX01d project?
"The LMP2 ARX-01d is progressing well, and is on schedule."

How were first tests on track?
"There have been no track tests yet of the ARX-01d."

What are the next steps?
"A track test very soon!"

Motorsport-total.com has revealed that there will also ARX-01e. What can you tell about it?
"The ARX-01e is a new LMP1 car, which is a big step from the ARX-01c in many areas."

What are the differences between this car and LM P2 2010 spec?
"The ARC-01e has a transmission differences, new suspension and wheels, and an all-new bodywork. The initial spec of the car is optimised for Le Mans."

Which team will lead the development, and use this car next season?
"HPD are talking to a number of potential partners for this project at the moment."

How many ARX01e will we see? In which races?
"This is not clear yet. However, we think that whoever runs tha car will be very satisfied with the perfromance - it is a good step better than the ARX-01c, which was very competitive."

What is your goal this year?
"We aim to continue to improve our products and engineering support and we hope that all of our customers continue to win in both categories, world-wide."

Motorsport-total.com has also revealed that you work on a new project for 2012! What can you tell about it?
"Wirth Research have been developing an all-new LMP1 Coupe for the past 14 months. We are very, very excited about the performance potential of this car."

Why did you choose a Coupe, and not an open cockpit?
"We chose a coupe as this is the fastest configuration for the Le Mans race."

Can you tell me about the progress of this project?
"It is on-course for a 2012 debut."

What are the next steps?
"We must finalise what engine partner to use for this project. At the moment, it is most likely to be with our current partners HPD."

Will the car contain technological innovations?
"It's from Wirth Research, so yes!"

Do you think that now it’s possible for an essence power engine to win Le Mans?
"We will see... "

Julien Hergault

Photo: An aerodynamics engineer by training, Wirth established ihis company in 2003.