P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Honda/Acura is the big missing piece in the packed Le Mans 24 Hours manufacturer line-up. Why doesn’t it venture outside IMSA?
This Saturday at 4 pm, eight manufacturers will compete in the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche, and Toyota. Among manufacturers complying with Hypercar regulations, Lamborghini and HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) are notably absent due to various reasons.
One standout is Honda’s Acura ARX-06, performing exceptionally well in various races, including recent wins at Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours. Despite its success in IMSA, the ARX-06 is not participating in Le Mans, raising questions about Honda’s Le Mans history and absence from the event.
Honda first entered Le Mans in 1994 with an NSX and later made sporadic appearances through privateer teams until 2013. The rules stipulate that two cars must enter the Hypercar FIA World Endurance Championship, impacting Acura’s Le Mans participation.
This rule influenced Wayne Taylor Racing’s switch from Acura to Cadillac, driven by the desire to compete at Le Mans with a family team. HRC’s absence from the WEC remains puzzling, leaving the possibility of Honda Racing’s future endeavors open.
