Alongside Audi and Toyota, Honda has established itself as the third force in the LM P1 grid. Although the Japanese automaker relies on private initiatives rather than a designated factory team, the ingenuity of the designer of the ARX-03a can still work miracles ...

Honda Performance Development and Wirth Research have been involved in endurance for five years. The tasks of each have been well distributed, the first dealing with the engine, the second the chassis... and it works.

With numerous successes in LM P2 (first in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2010) and a second place in LM P1 at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2011, the duo launched a new prototype in the FIA World Endurance Championship. They will be run by Strakka and JRM in LM P1 (ARX-03a), and Starworks Motorsport LM P2 (ARX-03b). After initial testing at Sebring and Snetterton (see article), the designer of the car, Nick Wirth is confident.
 

How is the relationship between Wirth Research and HPD?

Nick Wirth : "The relationship just goes from strength to strength. It's amazing to realise that we are in the 10th year of our partnership! The visionary Management and staff at HPD continue to support and guide us brilliantly in our fascinating work with them in both Sportscars and now IndyCars again for 2012. We just seem to work well together and we look forward to doing so long into the future."

Why go for an open design instead of a coupé car? (as with Audi and Toyota)
"As we are so close to the 2014 regulation changes, which have not yet been finalised-it was only commercially practical to redevelop the open car rather than develop a completely new concept before 2014."

Is the project to build an LMP coupé aborted?
"Absolutely not-we remain committed to developing a new coupe but we must wait until the new regulations are confirmed before establishing the best route forward."

What are the key differences between the ARX-01e and ARX-03a? What is completely new and what is more familiar?
"Over the winter we have designed and built a completely new monococque. The bodywork has also incorporated the new regulations and has been optimised for the forthcoming season."

How was the first test with ARX-03a at Sebring?
"I think you’d better ask the drivers and the team - we were delighted to hear their positive comments to confirm the potential of our latest developments, but our feet remain firmly on the ground-it was only the cars first run"

After a successful first test, what are your main aims with the development of the car?
"First, we will see how the Sebring race goes. (Sebring 12 hours 17th March ed.)  Everyone should remember that this is a customer program - our partners HPD do not have a works budget, however we will all continue to try and give our customers the best product on track given the programs resources. We are always ready to introduce developments when they are needed - our aim is to always know how to make the race cars faster, and then wait for HPD or the customers to ask for it to be delivered to the track"

In general terms with relatively stable rules is it getting harder and harder to find small improvements?
"Our company is known for innovation and all our talented and dedicated staff know they work in an environment where creativity and the relentless pursuit of performance is encouraged. The result of this is that we are able to continue to find performance even with a limited program budget"

What about KERS? Is the car designed to receive this kind of system?
"The car is capable of running KERS, but it is not fitted at present."

At what level do you see the two LM P1 teams competing in 2012 WEC? What are realistic targets?
"Both Strakka and JRM have great racing pedigrees-I expect them to be competitive again this year. Our target is for our customers to be the most competitive and successful of the privateers in 2012. I also hope that our new ALMS LMP1 customer - Muscle Milk Pickett Racing - will do well with the ARX-03a on the amazing American and Canadian tracks where our Sportscar heritage began 5 years ago."

Audi be the favorites, but do you expect some surprises?
"Both Audi and now Toyota are the only manufacturer entrants in the 2012 WEC and have huge budgets in comparison to the customer teams and ourselves. However the ARX is fast and reliable, and our teams, HPD and ourselves will be working hard to try and give the fans some extra interest by joining their battle, or more..."

Julien Hergault

Photo : An aerodynamics engineer , Nick Wirth, aged 45, created his company in 2003.