Honda Car Forum

Acura Motorsports will hold a media conference on Friday, Aug. 29, at 1:15 p.m. in the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix media center for a major announcement regarding the manufacturer's participation in the American Le Mans Series.

Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development (HPD), the racing subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will be the guest speaker for the Acura media conference.

Acura entered sports-car racing in 2007 by fielding Acura-powered LMP2 prototype cars with Andretti Green Racing, Highcroft Racing and Lowe's Fernandez Racing in the 12-race ALMS series. The three-car contingent marked the first factory motorsports program in Acura's 20-year history. De Ferran Motorsports was added to the Acura lineup in 2008.

In 20 ALMS races, Acura machines, with 3.4-liter, V-8 powerplants, have scored five LMP2 class victories, as well as an overall win by Patrón Highcroft Racing and drivers David Brabham and Scott Sharp earlier this year at Lime Rock Park. Acura cars also have recorded four overall pole positions.

The Acura Motorsports program featured the first racing engine developed in-house by HPD and their first chassis development undertaken with Wirth Research in the U.K. It also marked the first time HPD had taken on concurrent motorsports programs in both the American Le Mans Series and the IndyCar Series.

ACURA MOTORSPORTS MEDIA CONFERENCE

WHAT:

Acura Motorsports Media Conference regarding Acura's participation in the American Le Mans Series

WHO:

Erik Berkman, President,

Honda Performance Development (HPD)

WHEN:

Friday, Aug. 29, 1:15 p.m.

WHERE:

Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Media Center Inside in the 2.09-mile street circuit on Belle Isle

CONTACTS:

Tom Blattler, Acura Motorsports, (317) 525-5692,

T.E. McHale, American Honda, (310)783-3169

Bob Dickinson, American Le Mans Series, (678) 425-5869

Merrill Cain, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, (313) 805-1743