Ohta Eager to Stay in IMSA Even After Acura Exit

Kaku Ohta has outlined a desire to race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year even after Acura withdraws from the top GTP class.

The Honda factory driver made the remarks in the wake of his final scheduled appearance of the year for Acura Meyer Shank Racing in last month’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, where he finished second alongside Nick Yelloly and Renger van der Zande.

That marked Ohta’s fifth outing in the Acura ARX-06 over the past year-and-a-half, while the Japanese driver has also gained LMP2 experience both in the WeatherTech Championship and in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with Proton Competition.

Ohta did not rule out making another appearance in the WeatherTech Championship this year in an LMP2 car, although only the season-closing Motul Petit Le Mans in early October does not clash with his Honda SUPER GT commitments.

However, the 27-year-old admitted he is already considering how he might be able to remain involved in the championship beyond the end of this season.

“Some teams have contacted me asking which races [this year] I can do,” Ohta told Sportscar365. “I am happy to say that my reputation is becoming more widespread in the IMSA paddock. But chances are pretty limited due to my schedule [in Japan].

“I am not only thinking about this year, but also next year if there is a chance, if there’s a chance to drive for a winning team. It would be great to drive more in IMSA next year.”

Ohta’s packed schedule in Japan, including the Super Formula series that he currently leads and SUPER GT, left him available only for the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Watkins Glen round on this year’s WeatherTech Championship calendar.

He clarified that whatever he does in 2027 will depend on getting Honda’s blessing.

“There are a lot of options,” added Ohta. “I would love to get more experience in Hypercar to prove my performance, and the [TV] broadcast is always focused on them. In LMP2, it depends a lot on the Bronze driver, but it is still a fun car to drive.

“Now I am focused on deciding what path I should take for next season. But it’s all connected to my contract with Honda, because that remains my top priority.”

Ohta’s “Relief” to End Acura GTP Chapter with Podium Finish

Second place for the No. 93 car shared by Ohta, Yelloly and van der Zande marked the Kyoto Prefecture-born driver’s first WeatherTech Championship podium in seven attempts across the GTP and LMP2 classes, his previous best finish being fifth.

While partly disappointed to lose out to the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R in the fight for the win, Ohta said that finally being able to bag a top-three finish that he had been targeting for so long was a satisfying way to end the Acura GTP chapter.

“We really wanted to win the race, and at some point we had the pace,” he recalled. “But it was obvious that the No. 31 was too fast. Even if we changed all four tires for the last stint, and had a decent amount of fuel, I remember the No. 31 just changed two tires and short-filled and their pace was still too fast, and we couldn’t catch them. 

“Just after the race, I was disappointed that we didn’t win, but once we went up to the podium I felt a big sense of relief. It has taken a long time; since my first LMDh run [at Daytona] in December 2024, it has been one-and-a-half years.

“When I think back earlier in my career, in Super Formula Lights, Super Formula, SUPER GT, I was able to score a podium within the first year.

“I know I was not driving full-time, but it has never taken me so long just to get a podium. So I was really happy to finally be able to take the trophy back to Japan.”