As move over “Red rocker” this Integra’s playing
thru!
Nah Race Fans, no riveting Long Beach IndyCar
reports here, Hya! Instead perhaps Y’all heard about or spotted that Rad’ Acura
Integra No. 40 tribute car over the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend?
As Honda bought itself a birthday present, even
after declaring its first ever loss in 70 years, to the tune of some $16
Billion! Along with cancelling the planned production of three new EV’s in
North America…
I don’t know about Y’all, but when I hear the
word Comptech, I immediately think of Parker Johnstone! Which for some reason
I’ve just learned (again) was born in Redmond, Oregon, say what?
As Honda launched its luxury brand Acura on
March 27, 1986, and immediately backed then unknown of Comptech Racing to build
“Sporty” Integra racecars that dominated IMSA’s International Sedan series
between 1987-90. While Comptech had built Honda’s very first North American
racecar in 1985, a CRX model.
Comptech then graduated to IMSA’s Camel Lights
category with similar crushing results. Winning the championship three years
on-the-trot, including two Rolex 24 and one 12 Hours of Sebring class victories
between 1991-93.
Five years ago, I noted here upon No Fenders
how Wayne Taylor Racing’s win in the Rolex 24 was a Historic Three-peat for
WTR. Joining the likes of rival Chip Ganassi Racing. (CGR) Prior to Porsche
Penske Motorsport joining the “Party” this year.
Also being Wayne Taylor’s fourth overall W’ in
five years; its latest 24 Hours of Daytona victory. Along with being a
Watershed moment for Acura, scoring it’s Breakthrough Overall 24 Hours of
Daytona victory. Before securing its own Three-peat at Daytona thanks to WTR
and Meyer shank Racing’s (MSR) wins between 2021-23.
Although then, I was unaware that Comptech
Racing had won at Daytona with a Spice SE90CL Prototype chassis, propelled by
Acura’s NSX V-6 lump’ in the GTP Lights Class. Ironically 30 years ago, which
Marshall Pruett chronicled in his usual Brilliant writing.
ROLEX
24 RETRO: Acura’s wild breakthrough Daytona win
The Comptech entry was put on it’s Class Pole
by some Cat named Parker Johnstone, remember him Y’all? As think He was one of Ye Oldest IndyCar blogger’s Geo.
Phillips favourite IndyCar Announcers, Hya!
Comptech then joined
Rahal/Hogan Racing’s revival of Honda engines in the CART/PPG IndyCar World
Series in 1994, making its debut at Portland International Raceway. Competing
in IndyCar for three years. With Johnstone scoring
Honda’s maiden IndyCar Pole position at Michigan International Speedway in
1995.
Having scribbled
previously about Honda’s return to IndyCar racing in the following No Fenders
yarn.
Honda
Racing’s 75yrs Trilogy Conclusion
If you’re still
following along? Then I’ll cut to the chase. As Acura created a Rad’ first
generation No. 40 Integra racecar paying homage to those early Comptech
racecars. Appropriately sprayed in vivid red, with a “refreshed” 1.6-litre
straight four lump’ mated to a five speed manual gearbox.
Having originally
learned about this throwback tribute vehicle on my Newsline for The Blind’s
telephone service’s Car & Driver magazine section.
Which I’ll let the
story’s author Eric Stafford do the “Heavy” lifting, and give All of the Gory
details below…
Acura
Celebrates Turning 40 by Building this Rad Integra Race Car
Although naturally, I
stumbled upon another article on Ye All knowing Intrawoods’, claiming that
Comptech Racing had actually won both the IMSA International Sedan series
Manufacturer and Drivers championships four years in-a-row. Both with Comptech
co-founder Doug Peterson and teammate Parker Johnstone.
The
original Acura Integra completely ruled its IMSA Class
As who knows? Perhaps Acura will bring us a third generation NSX model sometime in the future. Perhaps with a GT3 spec racecar? Since it would be cool seeing an Acura NSX Evo LMGT3 poundin’ round Circuit de la Sarthe…
