Honda Car Forum

It was an impressive debut on and off the track this week for the all-new Acura ARX-02a
prototype sports cars in pre-season testing for the 10-race 2009 American Le Mans Series.

The anticipated launch of Acura's latest racing vehicle saw a large crowd of media and ALMS associates in
attendance Monday night for the debut of the two Acura ARX-02a machines from de Ferran Motorsports and Patrón
Highcroft Racing at the Sheraton Four Points ballroom, next to the legendary Sebring International Raceway.

The presentation by Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Wirth Research officials left many
onlookers open-mouthed by the elaborate design and detail of the two ALMS LMP1 class newcomers. The ARX-
02a cars are Acura's first entries into the LMP1 division, after two successful years in LMP2.

In addition, the HPD and Wirth officials removed the front and rear bodywork from the new cars for a closeup
view of the suspension and 4-liter, normally-aspirated V-8 engine. This type of access is almost unheard of in
world sports-car competition.

After the media unveiling, the two Acura prototypes set sail on the fast but tough 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring
road circuit, and the cars didn't disappoint on the difficult tarmac.

Young French star Simon Pagenaud wheeled the No. 66 XM Radio de Ferran Acura ARX-02a machine under the official track pole record Tuesday with a clocking of one minute, 44.814 seconds and an average speed of 127.082 miles per hour, bettering the old mark set by Audi's Marco Werner in 2007 at 126.889 m.p.h.

The initial sessions continue to evaluate the new Acura in a variety of testing activities, including chassis and engine
readings and improvements.

David Brabham, the only ALMS driver to win races in all four classes, drove the No. 9 Patrón Highcroft Acura ARX-02a
to a speed of 125.475 in testing, while Adrian Fernandez was best in the LMP2 division at 125.023 in the Lowe's Acura
ARX-01b.

All three Acura cars will be entered in the 57th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, set for Saturday, March 21.

American Le Mans Series Sebring Test, Jan. 26-28,2009

1. XM RADIO de FERRAN ACURA ARX-02a No. 66, 127.082 m.p.h.

2. PATRÓN HIGHCROFT ACURA ARX-02a No. 9, 125.475 m.p.h.

3. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ ACURA ARX-01b No. 15, 125.023 m.p.h.

Photos: The new Acura ARX-02a prototypes made their public
debut this week in ALMS testing and proved to be popular on

and off the track with raves from the media and spectators. The
cars will make their racing launch on March 21 at Sebring.

UPCOMING ALMS RACE:

Event: Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring

Track: Sebring Int'l Raceway,
Sebring, Fla.
(3.7 miles, 17 turns)

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009,
10:30 a.m. (EST)

Distance: 12 hours

TV: SPEED-TV, March 21,
10:00 a.m. EDT

Acura Contacts: Tom Blattler, 317-525-5692,
T.E. McHale, 310-783-3169

(Photos) After great 12 Hours of Sebring runs the past
two years, the Lowe's Fernandez team seeks the top of
the victory podium on March 21 in the LMP2 class with
the Lowe's Acura ARX-01b. The two Acura ARX-02a
cars have a unique look and will go up against Audi and
Peugeot in the 57th annual 12 Hours of Sebring.

ACURA QUOTES:

DAVID BRABHAM (#9 Patrón Highcroft
Racing Acura ARX-02a): "This stage of the testing program is all
about getting miles on the car. It is a brand new car and it is extremely
sophisticated and we obviously need to learn as much as
possible. To do that, you basically need to do lots of laps, which we
were able to achieve. That was extremely encouraging and every
time we run we learn more about the car and gather more data."

SCOTT SHARP (#9 Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-02a): "It was a productive session for Patrón Highcroft Racing with the new
Acura. We were able to do a lot of laps and we were able to make
several significant changes to the car and really fine-tune the set-up.
It is all part of developing a brand new race car. Everyone on the
team is building confidence with this new, exciting Acura machine."

DARIO FRANCHITTI (#9 Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-02a): "It was a great opportunity to get the feel of the LMP1 Acura
because it is different from any other car that I have ever driven.
The potential is certainly there. Between all the guys at Patrón Highcroft
Racing and HPD, they will certainly work it out. The big challenge
is that Sebring is the toughest race of the year and it is the
first race on the schedule."

SIMON PAGENAUD (#66 XM Radio de Ferran Acura ARX-02a): "This car is very physical for the driver. It produces a lot of Gs in the corners, as the cornering speeds are tremendous. It is a
very interesting car to drive. The Sebring track is old and bumpy and you feel every bump. But this car has great potential
and I'm very happy with the development of the new Acura. It will be a great race at the 12 Hours of Sebring."

GIL de FERRAN (#66 XM Radio de Ferran Acura ARX-02a): "This is very early days for this new Acura. We were able to
get a good amount of miles on the car. I'm pleased with that. It is such a unique design and the concept is revolutionary. I
am very delighted that Acura and Wirth [Research] went with this concept. It has great potential and showed a little of that
this week. But we still have room for improvement and reliability. So, we'll get some more testing before the 12 Hours."

SCOTT DIXON (#66 XM Radio de Ferran Acura ARX-02a): "The new Acura is a very unique car. It has one of the most
sophisticated designs of any sports car I have seen. It was great fun to drive the car this week. I am looking forward to coming
back to Sebring for the race. It should be very exciting to race on this famed track for the first time. I have tested here on
the short track with the Indy Car, but racing against the Audi and Peugeot will be a great experience."

ADRIAN FERNANDEZ (#15 Lowe's Fernandez Acura ARX-01b): "We feel pretty positive about our season and the performance
of the Lowe's Acura Car. It's a car that has been well-developed. The LMP2 rules have changed and the car is
heavier this year. We'll see how the Sebring race goes this year. We have been very competitive the past two years at
Sebring and I believe we can be right in the hunt in this year's
race. We have a strong car, engine and driver lineup."

LUIS DIAZ (#15 Lowe's Fernandez Acura ARX-01b): "The test
has been very positive. I am anticipating a lot of very tough competition
this year from the new Mazdas. The Sebring race will be
very tough on the crew, drivers and equipment. But I feel we are
prepared for another big effort, but not overconfident."

MICHEL JOURDAIN JR. (#15 Lowe's Fernandez Acura ARX-01b): "I have driven a lot at Sebring, but on the short course with
the CART cars. The big track is quite difficult, especially the last
corner and Turn One. Adrian and Luis are doing a good job at
setting up the car. It is a race that I have always wanted to do."