- Breaking News: Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Acura TLX GT Makes Debut at 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
- The RealTime Racing Acura, a Pikes Peak three-time champion, to showcase at the prestigious event
- Acura TLX GT driven by Peter Cunningham set Open Class course records in 2017-18-19 at Pikes Peak
An exceptional Acura with a remarkable racing background is set to be highlighted at this year’s Amelia Island Concours. RealTime Racing is bringing their winning Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Acura TLX GT to the event as part of the special “Cars of Pikes Peak” exhibit at the renowned Concours d’Elegance.
Originally constructed by RealTime for SRO World Challenge competition, the same chassis, with minimal modifications, was repurposed for the annual Pikes Peak event where it triumphed as a record-setting class winner for three consecutive years from 2017-2019, driven by team owner Peter Cunningham.
Cunningham reflected on the unique experience, stating, “Our success at Pikes Peak remains a standout moment in my career, given the challenging nature of the course and the exceptional demands it places on the car, team, and driver. It truly holds a special place in our racing history.”
Prior to conquering Pikes Peak, Cunningham’s extensive career saw him claim 14 professional drivers’ championships across various disciplines of motorsport, showcasing his versatility and skill.
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The Acura TLX GT, originally designed for SRO World Challenge competition, was adapted for Pikes Peak when the series outlawed its original four-wheel-drive configuration post-2015 season. Subsequently, the chassis was transformed for its debut at the mountain in 2017, where it secured a new course record for Open Class cars and earned Cunningham the title of PPIHC “Rookie of the Year”.
With Pirelli tires, Cunningham continued his dominance at Pikes Peak, defending the Open Class title for the next two years and setting new class records each year. His 2019 run established a class record that stood for the next four years.
Constructed from Acura’s base TLX chassis, the X-Trac four-wheel-drive racing GT version was created at RealTime, utilizing the production-based “J35” 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine from HPD (HRC US), which also found success in other racing series. The vehicle’s design and aero package were meticulously developed for peak performance at Pikes Peak.
The extensive preparations, including modifications like a three-gallon water tank for cooling, paid off as the Acura TLX GT delivered exceptional performance and reliability during challenging runs at the mountain.
The annual Amelia Island Concours, held in March near Jacksonville, Florida, honors the rich heritage of motorsport with a variety of exceptional vehicles on display.
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About Acura Motorsports
Acura’s motorsports legacy in North America dates back to 1986, with numerous championship victories across various racing series. The brand’s commitment to performance racing is evident in the success of models like the ARX-05 prototype and the Acura NSX GT3 Evo22.
About RealTime Racing
Established in 1987 by Peter Cunningham, RealTime Racing is a prominent American motorsports team based in Wisconsin, known for its success in a wide range of motorsport categories.
About Honda Racing Corporation USA
Honda Racing Corporation USA, formerly known as Honda Performance Development, has been a key player in developing and supporting Honda and Acura Motorsports programs in North America since 1993. The company leads high-performance racing initiatives and offers technical support to amateur and professional racers in various racing disciplines.
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