Acura Automobiles: Mid-Ohio Pirelli World Challenge Race 1 Report

Circuit: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2.258-mile road course), Lexington, Ohio
Weather: Overcast, mild, 75 degrees F

Damp Debut for Acura TLX GT Showcases All-Wheel Drive

  • RealTime Racing Acura advances through field as showers fall at Mid-Ohio
  • Rain-shortened event results in 13th-place finish
  • Second race of Mid-Ohio doubleheader weekend on Sunday

The Acura TLX GT race car made an encouraging debut in Pirelli World Challenge competition Saturday at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, as RealTime Racing driver Peter Cunningham finished 13th in a rain-shortened contest as development work continues on the sophisticated chassis/engine platform.

Originally scheduled for 50 minutes in duration, the large, 48-car starting field took the start on a dry Mid-Ohio circuit, but threatening skies soon delivered the first drops of rain after just a handful of laps, and the showers quickly intensified, bringing out a full-course caution. Cunningham made up 10 positions when the yellows waved to freeze the field on Lap 17, and as the rain increased in intensity, race officials ended the race on Lap 19.

Developed from the production Acura TLX by HPD and RealTime Racing, the Acura TLX GT features HPD chassis and aerodynamic performance parts approved for Pirelli World Challenge competition. It is powered by a direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V6 engine, developed by HPD from the production TLX, and will utilize all-wheel drive, as found in Acura’s SH-AWD system.

Video News Releases from this weekend’s Pirelli World Challenge and IndyCar Series action at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course are being posted on a new, specially created “Honda Racing/HPD Trackside” YouTube channel produced by the Carolinas Production Group. Headed by longtime motorsports broadcaster Rick Benjamin, CPG will be providing video highlights packages following Honda Racing/HPD events during 2014. The video packages can be found at: youtube.com/hondaracingtrackside.

The Pirelli World Challenge continues Sunday at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, with the second race of a doubleheader weekend.

Peter Cunningham (owner/driver, RealTime Racing Acura TLX GT): “The Acura TLX GT performed well in its maiden race today. We moved up the order in the early laps, under dry conditions, and when the rain drops began to fall, a number of cars skated off the circuit while our all-wheel drive system had a definite advantage. It’s a shame the rain intensified and the race was eventually red-flagged, then checkered, but we’re looking forward to more improvements tomorrow.”