WEC / USC – First tests of ESM with the Honda ARX-04b

After receiving the first of its two models ordered from Honda, Extreme Speed ​​Motorsports has completed its first tests with the HPD ARX-04b in order to prepare for WEC and the NAEC (North American Endurance Cup) next year. The Florida team invited boss-driver Scott Sharp to take the first laps at the wheel of the replacement for the HPD ARX-03b. “It’s very exciting for us to see this HPD coupe. We had such high expectations to achieve these first laps”, commented Scott Sharp who finished in ninth place in the USC rankings. “The engineers from HPD and Wirth Research have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks and brought a lot to the car. »

Scott Sharp had to get his bearings behind the wheel of this LMP2 with a closed cockpit, unlike the previous model which offered a clearer view. “There are a lot of different elements in this coupe. From the outside, the windshield looks small and we thought visibility would be reduced, but it's actually very satisfactory. The driving position is also more reclined. Each car has its characteristics and we have started to detail them. All ESM drivers will have to go through this stage to really get to know the car. »

However, Extreme Speed ​​Motorsports will still have to be patient, this first test session being only a tune-up without seeking performance. “We did a few burn-in rounds.”, added Allen Miller, prototype project director at HPD. “Our goal was simply to verify that all the ARX-04b systems were in order to begin our pre-season testing. We have been satisfied with the results obtained so far and we intend to continue this development in the days to come. »