Albuquerque Turns First Laps in Acura ARX-06 at Road Atlanta

Image: HPD

Filipe Albuquerque has become the latest driver to turn his first laps in a LMDh car, with the Portuguese ace joining Ricky Taylor for a test with the Acura ARX-06 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

The Wayne Taylor Racing duo were on hand for the multi-day outing, just days after Cadillac tested its newly named V-LMDh car at the Georgia circuit.

Taylor and Honda Performance Development performance engineer Matt McMurry performed the initial shakedowns of the ORECA-chassied prototype in France prior to Taylor handling a test solo at Kansas Motor Speedway last month.

The Road Atlanta test is believed to have been the second running on U.S. soil for the car and the WTR-led development team.

While yet to be officially announced, team owner Wayne Taylor previously confirmed to Sportscar365 that Ricky Taylor and Albuquerque will return as full season drivers in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s new GTP class next year.

It was announced earlier this week that Tom Blomqvist has been retained by Meyer Shank Racing for its Acura program as well.

The Ohio-based team recently took delivery of the second Acura LMDh chassis, which made its public debut at Monterey Car Week. MSR’s testing schedule is currently unknown.

Also on hand at Road Atlanta this week is the NASCAR Garage 56 effort, with test driver Mike Rockenfeller turning the car’s first laps in preparation for next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Testing, Testing… 🎤

On-track testing continued for the all-new, electrified @Acura ARX-06 prototype sports car at @RoadAtlanta ahead of its debut in 2023! #AcuraMotorsports // #IMSA pic.twitter.com/S74DKXzXHZ

— HPD-North American Motorsport (@HondaRacing_HPD) August 30, 2022

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John