Kakunoshin Ohta to make IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut

December 11, 2024 - TOKYO, JAPAN

• Will drive the Acura ARX-06 in three events including the Rolex 24 at Daytona

Kakunoshin Ohta, Honda driver and graduate of the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP), will compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the premier GTP class in 2025.

Ohta will participate as fourth driver for the Acura Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian team's No. 93 car in IMSA, the premier sports car racing series in North America. He will be driving the Acura ARX-06, an LMDh car developed and supplied by Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US), which is responsible for Honda's motorsports activities in the United States. Ohta will compete in a total of three races, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona-where he will make his series debut-Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

HRC US engineers will race engineer the Acura MSR No. 93 car starting in the 2025 season, with HRC US taking on a larger role in the team and aiming to train engineers and advance technology through racing.

Ohta earned a scholarship at the Suzuka Circuit Racing School (now Honda Racing School Suzuka) in 2018, and after graduating from the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP)-a Honda driver development program-began his racing career in 2023 in Japan's top categories, Super Formula and the SUPER GT GT500 class.

To prepare for his IMSA debut, Ohta began his training using the new Driver-In-The_Loop Simulator at the HRC US facility in Indianapolis in October 2024, and in November, he drove the Acura ARX-06 at the official IMSA test held at the Daytona International Speedway, gaining real-life experience. In recognition of his performance in Japanese races and on the track at Daytona, he has been selected to participate in the 2025 season.

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), which is responsible for Honda's motorsports activities, aims to nurture racing drivers who aspire to win in the world's top categories, and will continue to support young aspiring drivers to challenge the world, through positioning Japan's top categories, such as Super Formula and SUPER GT, as a path to world-class competition.

Quotes
Kakunoshin Ohta (Driver, #93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06): "I am very happy that my debut in IMSA has been officially decided. I hope I will live up to everyone's expectations and continue to grow, not only in terms of results, but also for further advancement. I am looking forward to teaming up with the world's top drivers and competing in the top category. I look forward to your support."

Koji Watanabe (President, Honda Racing Corporation): " "HRC's desire to see Japanese drivers compete on the world stage matched Ohta's strong desire to challenge the world, resulting in his entry into IMSA. We hope that Ohta will do his best as a representative of Japan. HRC will continue to support his challenge, and his abundant talent and passion to go global."

Takuma Sato (Executive Advisor, Honda Racing Corporation): "We are delighted that HRS graduate Ohta is taking on the challenge of IMSA, as North American races such as IMSA and IndyCar are truly a global challenge, attracting top-class competitors from all over the world. Ohta's success in Super Formula and SUPER GT proves that he has the ability to compete on a global level. We sincerely hope that he will take advantage of this opportunity to make further progress. We also hope that his challenge will give hope to many young drivers and help pave the way for them to reach the world stage, and we would like to contribute to the creating such an environment."

Kakunoshin Ohta Highlights
1999 Born on June 16 (age 25) in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
2018 Honda Racing School Suzuka (SRS-F, now HRS) Scholarship
JAF-F4: 5 wins. Western Japan Champion and East-West Champion
2019 FIA-F4: 3 pole positions, 2 wins
French F4: Wildcard entry, 2nd place
JAF-F4: Japan finals wildcard entry, champion for second consecutive year
2020 FIA-F4: 3 rounds, 2 podium finishes
2021 FIA-F4: Entry with SRS Kochira Racing, 2nd place
Super Taikyu series: Entry with TEAM 5ZIGEN. 4 podiums, 3rd overall
2022 Super Formula Lights: 2nd
SUPER GT GT300: 2 podiums
2023 Super Formula Lights: Won final round, 7th overall
SUPER GT GT500: 1 podium
2024 Super Formula: Entered with DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING
Two consecutive victories (8th and 9th rounds at Suzuka Circuit) contributing to team's title win, 4th in drivers' standings
SUPER GT GT500: Entered with Astemo REAL RACING as Kodai Tsukakoshi's co-driver. Pole position and 3rd place finish in Round 2, Fuji Speedway, 10th overall in the drivers' standings

About Honda Racing Corporation USA
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US), has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers since its founding in 1993 as Honda Performance Development (HPD). In January 2024, HPD became HRC US, combining with HRC Japan to strengthen the company's overall motorsports capabilities. From pinnacle racing in INDYCAR and IMSA sports cars to commercial racing programs, HRC US leads all Honda and Acura high-performance racing programs in North America and will be involved in Formula One power unit development and race support related to the next phase of Honda starting in 2026.

HRC US specializes in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. The company also offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports racers; and is continually expanding its palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and quarter midgets to the highest levels of professional racing.

More information on HRC US is available at hondaracing-us.honda.com

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive brand committed to delivering expressive styling, innovative engineering and engaging dynamics, all built on the brand's Precision Crafted Performance DNA. The Acura lineup consists of two sport sedans, the Integra and TLX, and three sport-utility vehicles, the RDX, MDX and all-electric ZDX. A fourth SUV, the ADX, will join the lineup as a new gateway model in 2025. High-performance Type S variants further demonstrate the virtues of Acura Precision Crafted Performance. All Acura vehicles sold in America are made in the U.S., using domestic and globally sourced parts.

More information about Acura is available here: https://acuranews.com/en-US.

About Acura in North American Motorsports
Acura's motorsports programs in North America have been integral to the brand since its launch in 1986. The rich legacy of Acura sports car racing includes the 1991, 1992, and 1993 IMSA Camel Lights manufacturer/driver championships, and the 2009 American Le Mans manufacturer, driver, and team championships in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes. With the ARX-05 prototype, Acura swept the 2019, 2020 and 2022 IMSA manufacturer, driver and teams championships; plus the Michelin Endurance Cup titles in 2021 and 2022.

In 2023, Acura made its successful racing debut for the electrified ARX-06 prototype sports car in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and claimed Acura's third consecutive Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona victory at the Daytona International Speedway. The Acura NSX GT3 Evo22, has won multiple championships, including IMSA GT championships in 2019 and 2020 and SRO World Challenge series titles in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

More information is available here: hondaracing-us.honda.com

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