Racers Edge Acura Withdrawn After Qualifying Accident

Photo: Gavin Baker/IMSA

Chiaki’s Journey has ended early, with Racers Edge Motorsports with WTR Andretti having withdrawn its No. 93 Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 ahead of Saturday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach after an accident in qualifying.

The GTD class entry sustained damage after Ashton Harrison brushed the Turn 8 wall, prior to the car catching fire while still parked on the barrier.

The withdrawal was confirmed by the team on social media Saturday morning.

Harrison was due to share the car, carrying sponsorship from Acura’s anime series, with Mario Farnbacher.

“I’m so honored to have the opportunity to represent Acura at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach at their home race,” said Harrison. “We had so much fun getting into character as Chiaki and Uncle Noboru with our Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 in this amazing Acura livery design.

“The NSX was super quick out of the box, and we were running up front in both practice sessions and put the Racers Edge Motorsports with WTR Andretti and Acura Motorsports in a position to be competitive at this race.

“We definitely had the car to compete for at least a podium or even the win. Mario and I really enjoyed working together in our first IMSA race and hope there is an opportunity to participate in future IMSA rounds together with HPD and Acura behind the wheel of the Acura NSX.”

It is the second withdrawal from the weekend, with the No. 80 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R of Seb Priaulx and PJ Hyett also not starting this afternoon’s 100-minute race due to a separate accident in qualifying as well.

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