- The Acura racing team consists of engineers from the Honda Automotive Development Center in Ohio and the all-volunteer Honda of America Racing Team (HART)
- A turbocharged Acura Integra Type S will be competing on nine race tracks in eight days
- The “One and a half” Acura NSX Type S supercar returns to the 3,500-mile road rally, towing the rear half of another NSX
Two Acura engineers are participating in the challenging 2024 Tire Rack One Lap of America event this week with a turbocharged 2024 Acura Integra Type S they helped design. This is the first time the high-performance Acura Integra Type S will be taking on the demanding eight-day cross-country road rally, covering 3,500 miles and featuring timed events on nine race tracks across the Midwest from May 4 to 11.
Justyn Bobinski and Nick Amato are driving the award-winning Acura Integra Type S, known as the most powerful and best-performing Integra ever. Bobinski is a brake and vehicle dynamics test engineer at the Honda North American Automotive Development Center (ADC), while Amato is involved in brake verification testing at the Marysville Auto Plant, both located in Ohio. Alongside them, ADC engineers Tyler Chambers and Chad Gilsinger are piloting the 600 hp “one-and-a-half” NSX Type S supercar, with custom modifications, returning for another round of the One Lap of America race.
The Acura race team is part of the Honda of America Racing Team (HART), which comprises Honda associates from across North America. The HART program embodies the Honda “Racing Spirit” by providing associates with valuable motorsport experience, which also translates into the development and manufacturing of future Honda and Acura products. The HART One Lap of America team is supporting the Victory Center, an Ohio-based organization that offers services to cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
Bobinski and Amato are using the One Lap of America event to further test the performance, handling, and durability of the Acura Integra Type S under extreme conditions. The high-performance Type S variant features a turbocharged 320-horsepower 2.0-liter engine, a 6-speed manual transmission, innovative dual-axis front suspension design, and 4-piston Brembo® front brakes. The only modifications made for competition are a racing seat, roll cage, CarboTech brake pads, Red Line Oil, and a custom “careers.honda.com” livery.
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The hybrid-electric Acura NSX Type S, boasting 600 hp, is also returning for the 2024 One Lap of America event with enhancements from the previous year. Piloted by Tyler Chambers and Chad Gilsinger, the electrified supercar features improved aerodynamics, reduced weight, upgraded suspension, and lightweight wheels to enhance performance on the track.
All modifications to the vehicles were carried out by HART team members at ADC, including the construction of a unique NSX trailer. The trailer was created by a skilled ADC fabrication team using a salvaged NSX test mule, half of which was customized with barn doors for easy access to supplies. The NSX Type S tow rig has a rear crash bar for the hitch receiver, and the trailer is equipped with a reverse camera connected to the supercar’s infotainment system for safe towing.
The 40th edition of the One Lap of America race kicks off and concludes at the Tire Rack headquarters in South Bend, Indiana, traversing through 12 states. The competition includes timed track events at renowned motorsports facilities like Quaker City Motorsports Park, High Plains Raceway, and Putnam Park Road Course.
About Acura
Acura is a prominent automotive brand dedicated to delivering stylish design, innovative engineering, and high performance, all rooted in Precision Crafted Performance DNA. The Acura lineup features sport sedans, SUVs, and high-performance Type S variants, showcasing the brand’s commitment to excellence. All Acura vehicles sold in America are manufactured in the U.S. using a combination of domestic and global parts.
About the Honda of America Racing Team (HART)
Established over 30 years ago, the Honda of America Racing Team (HART) is one of Honda’s long-standing associate-driven activities, engaging in various motorsport competitions to provide valuable experience to associates. HART’s involvement in racing helps transfer vehicle performance learnings into the development of next-generation Honda and Acura products.
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