IMSA: HPD debating next course of action for ARX-04b

Honda Performance Development's ARX-04b LMP2 chassis will head into the off-season waiting for a decision to be made on its fate, according to HPD race team leader Allen Miller.

"We're working on it in the background at this point; we haven't given up on it, but we don't have any hard plans for it yet next year," Miller told RACER.

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The Tequila Patron ESM team purchased two ARX-04bs to campaign in IMSA's TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, and the FIA World Endurance Championship series, and completed one race before it parked the cars prior to the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. Aerodynamic issues, concentrated mostly at the front of the twin-turbo V6-powered P2 coupe, required more significant development than HPD and the car's designers at Wirth Research could resolve before the WEC season got under way.

To salvage their season, ESM quickly replaced the ARX-04bs with Ligier JS P2s, and continued using Honda powerplants. Meanwhile, in the background, HPD and Wirth devised a plan to fix the car's aerodynamics and return to IMSA competition later in the season. Miller confirmed those earlier plans have been revised.

"It won't race again this year, no," he said. "But we might track test it if we get some things done – around late November."

The ARX-04bs raced just one time this year at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, and in the hands of the late Justin Wilson, one chassis almost made its debut at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June. Persistent engine problems scuttled the Pikes Peak program before a run up the mountain could be made, leaving Daytona as the lone race on the car's resume.

Provided the chassis tests in November, and its aero understeer is resolved, Miller says the ARX-04bs could return for a second run at the Rolex 24.

"If it comes back, it wouldn't be before the 24 Hours of Daytona," Miller noted. "But a lot of things have to happen beforehand."