ACURA LMP2 TRIO GETS EARLY TASTE OF SEBRING

The three new Acura-powered American Le Mans Series LMP2 sports car teams (Andretti Green Racing, Lowe's Fernandez Racing and Highcroft Racing) completed a successful three-day testing session Wednesday at the legendary Sebring International Raceway, site of the 55th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring sports car classic set for March 17, 2007.

It marked the first appearance for an Acura-powered Series sports car on the famed 3.7-mile, 17-turn road circuit as the three racing operations prepared for their competition debut in this year's 12 Hours of Sebring.

Andretti Green Racing sported the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura Courage LC75 with drivers Bryan Herta and Marino Franchitti at the controls during Monday and Tuesday's tests, while Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz drove the No. 15 Lowe's Acura Lola B07/40 for the Lowe's Fernandez team. Former Sebring winner David Brabham piloted the new No. 9 Highcroft Acura Courage LC75 during the three days of on-track action.

The new Acura American Le Mans Series engine (a 3.4-liter, normally-aspirated V-8) is the first racing powerplant designed and developed by Honda Performance Development (HPD) of Santa Clarita, Calif., American Honda's wholly-owned racing subsidiary.

The Acura teams worked on initial teething issues on the road course in the opening day as they ran in both day and night conditions. The Acura engineering staff, led by Joe Capelli, was pleased with the team's first round of laps on the prestigious Florida track.

"We were pleased with the first testing runs of the new Acura American Le Mans Series cars at Sebring," said Capelli, the senior engineer for HPD's sports car program. "We were becoming accustomed to the track as it was our first time here. Sebring is a unique and historic track and we were able to learn about the cars, engines and track surface. We look forward to our next Sebring test in January."

Acura-powered race cars have been victorious in the past at Sebring with the CompTech Racing team taking the 1993 12 Hours of Sebring in the Camel Lights division with lead driver Parker Johnstone.

The three Acura-powered organizations will return to Sebring International Raceway on Jan. 22-24 for the third annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test session that will include competitors from all four sports car classes.