Witness the debut of the Acura Integra in motorsports at the prestigious Pikes Peak International Hillclimb on June 26 during the 100th edition of the renowned “Race to the Clouds.”
Joining the lineup are two NSX Type S models and a duo of TLX Type S sedans, all of which will be handled by a team of passionate engineers from Acura’s R&D facility in Ohio, promising an unparalleled post-work activity.
Set to tackle Pikes Peak as a rookie on the mountain is Paul Hubers, who has a history of involvement with high-performance Acuras. Previously, Hubers spearheaded a project to develop a modified 1997 Acura SLX, boasting 350 horsepower, which made its debut at Radwood in 2019.
Enhancements for the race include improved brakes and suspension, coupled with a differential sourced from the Honda Performance Development lineup. The car is equipped with Pirelli racing slicks on 18″ HRE wheels to minimize unsprung weight and optimize traction on the twisting roads of Pikes Peak. Under the hood, the stock turbo 1.5-liter engine churns out 200 horsepower, mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission.
The new Integra sports a red, grey, and white color scheme as a tribute to Acura’s inaugural race car. This livery pays homage to the first-generation Integra, which proudly donned these colors during its consecutive IMSA Championships in 1987 and 1988 with Parker Johnstone behind the wheel.
Test photos reveal the stripped-out interior, racing seat, and roll cage of the race-prepared Integra. Interestingly, the door jambs reveal that the car was initially finished in the hero color Indy Yellow for the 2023 model year before receiving its race livery.
This year commemorates Acura’s twelfth successive participation at Pikes Peak, a legacy that includes 25 podium finishes, 12 first-place triumphs, and numerous course records.
The project has sparked discussions on the potential expansion of Acura’s involvement in racing events beyond the hillclimb. With Honda already fielding the Civic in various touring car series globally, the rationale behind racing the Integra, based on similar foundations, is open to question. Moreover, transitioning from a volunteer-run Pikes Peak endeavor to establishing a full-fledged racing team is no small leap. Nonetheless, if the opportunity arises in the right competitive arena, seeing the Integra in head-to-head competition would be a thrilling prospect.
In the current landscape, Honda and Acura demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting motorsports, particularly evident in grassroots racing where company staff frequently participate. Here’s to the continuation of this trend and the anticipation of more stellar performances from the company’s vehicles in the future.
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