Le Mans-Winning HPD ARX-01c LMP2 Coming to iRacing

March 18th, 2011

Construction of Virtual Version of Honda Performance Development’s High-Tech Sports Prototype Is Underway; Members of World’s Premier Racing Game Anticipate Ultra-High Performance Racer

First the car won its class at the Le Mans 24-hour race in June, 2010; then less than four months later the HPD ARX-01c LMP2 capped a championship-winning campaign in the American Le Mans Series by Highcroft Racing with victory in the Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta.  Now the HPD ARX-01c is headed for glory at iRacing.com, where members of the world’s premier racing simulation and driving game will soon be able to experience for themselves the mind-boggling performance of this amazing racing car.

The production of the virtual version of the ARX-01c is a cooperative effort of HPD, Highcroft Racing and iRacing.com.  Following this weekend’s season-opening American Le Mans Series Mobil 1 Twelve Hours at Sebring, a team of iRacing.com engineers and technicians will join Highcroft for a special test session to gather performance and acoustic data.

The HPD ARX-01C-LPM2 is coming to iRacing this summer.

From the start the ARX-01c was a product of design in the digital domain.  It is therefore fitting that this record-breaking car should carry on in the virtual world of iRacing.com. HPD provided key technical information about the car to iRacing.com and at the company’s Bedford, MA headquarters construction of the virtual car’s chassis has already begun.

“Our members are going to be really impressed with the performance of the ARX-01c,” said Steve Myers, iRacing.com’s executive producer.  “When rumors about the car started showing up in our member forum, people got really excited.  We are bringing a lot of resources to bear on this project and plan to have the car ready by late summer, in time for our members to race it in our World Tour of iRacing Petit Le Mans tribute event at the end of September.  Given the ARX-01c’s performance, particularly cornering and braking, people are going to want plenty of time to practice before they start racing this car.”

Myers also noted that the car will also incorporate a new tire model – three years in the works – that will give the ARX-01c even more accurate and realistic performance in the simulation.

The HPD ARX-01c LMP2 will be the second Honda-powered vehicle to join iRacing.com’s fleet (currently 26 cars).  The Dallara IndyCar features a normally-aspirated V8 Honda engine.  iRacing.com’s members drive the Dallara-Honda in several regularly-scheduled series, including the IndyCar Series – Road, IndyCar Series – Oval, and the iRacing.com IZOD INDYCAR Premier Series.

“Every day millions of drivers around the world experience the performance of Honda road cars, but they don’t get to drive the racing cars that we develop and for which Honda is so well known,” said Steve Eriksen, HPD assistant vice president.  “We’re proud of our racing cars – motorsport is part of Honda’s heritage going back to the very beginning of our company – and we’re pleased that through this project with iRacing.com anyone with a PC, a broadband internet connection and an iRacing membership can appreciate for themselves the ultimate in Honda performance.”

Technical Specification for HPD ARX-01c LMP2

Chassis: Carbon-fiber monocoque
Weight: 1819 lb. (825 kg) minimum regulation, with driver/fuel
Height: 40 inches (1020 mm)
Width: 78.7 inches (2000 mm)
Wheelbase: 108 – 120 inches (2744 – 3048 mm)
Suspension: Double wishbone with pushrod, front and rear anti-roll bars
Traction Control: Continental / HPD–ECU
Brakes: 6-piston aluminum calipers, carbon discs
Tires: Michelin racing slicks or wet-weather tread

HPD LMP2 V8 Engine Specification

Engine Designation: HPD LM-V8, ACO LMP2 regulation
Construction: Aluminum block V-8, naturally aspirated, fuel injected
Displacement: 3.4 liters
Power: Approximately 480 BHP
Inlet Restrictor: 40.7mm air-limiting restrictor
Valve Train: Dual overhead camshaft, four-valves-per-cylinder
Engine management System: Continental / HPD – ECU
Transmission: HPD-Hewland 6-speed sequential with manual paddle-operated gearshift
Ignition System: Continental / HPD – CDI
Clutch: Multi plate carbon, pull type
Lubrication: Dry sump
Cooling: Mechanical water pump
Fuel: 100 Octane + 10% ethanol
Fuel Capacity: 80 liters maximum

About Honda Performance Development

Located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for American Honda high-performance racing cars and engines. In an open-wheel racing history that dates to 1994, Honda has recorded 166 race victories, 12 drivers’ championships, 10 Manufacturers’ Championships and seven Indianapolis 500 victories.  In addition to its sports-car efforts and its role as single engine supplier to the IZOD IndyCar Series, HPD is active in a growing number of grassroots motorsports activities.

About iRacing.com

The company was founded in 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Design Group, developers of award-winning racing simulations including “Grand Prix Legends” and “NASCAR 2003.” Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, as well as co-owner of NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Racing. iRacing.com has developed numerous corporate relationships in the motorsport industry, including partnerships with NASCAR, IndyCar, GRAND-AM, International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, Volkswagen, Ford, and GM.  iRacing is open to racers and fans of all skill levels from top-level pros to complete beginners. To join in the fun, go to www.iRacing.com.