Confirmed: Michael Shank Racing partners with Honda

As reported on Motorsport.com previously, Michael Shank Racing will debut an all-new technical package for the 2015 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, as the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona championship squad has partnered with Honda Performance Development to power the team’s new Ligier JS P2 Prototype class entry.

Michael Shank Racing drivers Ozz Negri and John Pew will share the driving duties for the 10-round championship, and will debut the new package in the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

With over 230 Daytona Prototype starts to the team’s credit and over 32,000 laps completed, Michael Shank Racing has been competing in sportscar racing since 2004. The move to the Honda-powered Ligier platform will mark a significant new direction for the team, with several long term ambitions in mind.

'LeMans in 2016'

“Moving to the Ligier JS P2 should not only be an asset for our TUDOR campaign this year, but it is also a step toward being in a position to compete at Le Mans in 2016,” said Shank. “This is a great package and has already proven itself, not only here in TUDOR, but also in the World Endurance Championship. This is a big move for our team, and I’m really excited about the future.”

The 2014 IMSA TUDOR Championship saw the team extend its record of podium results that stretches back to the team’s second start in Prototype competition, and the 2015 IMSA Championship is expected to once again feature a highly competitive landscape as the Columbus, Ohio-based team looks to return to its winning ways with the new package.

“We’re very much looking forward to our new partnership with Michael Shank Racing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship,” said Allen Miller, prototype project leader for Honda Performance Development. “Michael Shank Racing has established itself as one of the premier teams in American endurance racing, and we believe their switch to an LMP2 chassis and Honda turbocharged V6 engine positions them well for 2015 and the seasons to come.”

The annual Roar Before the 24 test days at Daytona International Speedway kicks off the 2015 TUDOR Championship season on January 9-11, 2015. Michael Shank Racing will announce its expanded driver line-up for the longer endurance events in the coming weeks.

Honda HR28TT V6 LMP2 Engine

Series: Prototype in IMSA TUDOR United Sports Car Championship, for use in LMP2 chassis; also LMP2 in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and Asian Le Mans Series

Engine Type: Aluminum alloy, twin-turbocharged, fuel-injected V6; a development of the production Honda J35 engine found in a variety of Honda/Acura vehiclesDisplacement: 2.8 liters 

Valve Train: Single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder
Crankshaft: Alloy steel
Pistons: Forged aluminum, low-friction coatings
Connecting Rods: Machined alloy steel
Engine Management: HPD/McLaren
Ignition System: Digital inductive
Lubrication: Dry sump system
Cooling: Single mechanical water pump
Fuel: E10 100-101 octane gas, 10% ethanol (IMSA); Shell E20 (Europe)

The HPD-developed Honda engine used in the WEC – and in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship – is derived from the Honda “J35” series of production V6 engines and includes relevant twin-turbocharger technology, along with the efficiency provided by direct fuel injection. Key production-based components utilized in the HR28TT include block and heads, direct injection fuel system, valve train components, drive-by-wire throttle, alternator, sensors, fasteners, etc. The engine even utilizes a stock Honda oil filter.

MSR