NEW HPD GT3 DRIVER ACADEMY FEATURES ACURA NSX GT3 EVO
Honda Performance Development (HPD) is pleased to announce the launch of the “HPD GT3 Driver Academy” that will enable qualified professional racers to accelerate their racing career via ‘on-track’ and ‘off-track’ skills training from experienced Acura NSX GT3 Evo drivers, HPD-supported teams, and HPD personnel.
Supporting driver development is a fundamental value of Acura Motorsports and HPD. The HPD GT3 Driver Academy represents the latest demonstration of this commitment. As talented drivers rise through the sports car developmental ladder, many find that reaching the next level is limited by access to in-vehicle/team experience, promotional ability, and paddock knowledge.
The program will include on-track racecraft coaching sessions in the championship winning Acura NSX GT3 Evo from drivers such as Ryan Eversley, Kyle Marcelli, Mario Farnbacher, and Dane Cameron, as well as off-track instruction relating to effective communication with team personnel and engineers, in addition to driver marketing insights and sponsor searches.
“This program is a natural fit for HPD, as we have seen the growth of the NSX GT3 Evo program and the abundance of talent coming through the developmental touring and sports car series,” said John Whiteman, Manager, HPD Commercial Motorsports. “We are pleased to provide a unique training program that can assist drivers in fully preparing them for GT3 competition.”
The program is available by application-only and is limited to four students per year. The program will include at least four on-track events in 2020, starting at Sebring Raceway in February. Each on-track session will be administered by the Racers Edge Motorsports team, which, with drivers Martin Barkey and Kyle Marcelli, captured the 2019 SRO World Challenge GT Pro/Am Driver Championship.
More details on the program are available here.
RACERS EDGE RETURNS TO DEFEND GT WORLD CHALLENGE AMERICA TITLE IN 2020
Racers Edge Motorsports is excited to announce the team’s return to GT World Challenge America competition for the 2020 season to defend the GT3 Pro/Am Championship title.
Kyle Marcelli and Martin Barkey continue their partnership behind the wheel of the No 80 MBRP Acura NSX GT3 Evo in which the duo won the 2019 Pro/Am Drivers’ Championship. The team will also continue working with Honda Performance Development (HPD) and the Acura NSX GT3 Evo in the 2020 campaign.
Both drivers eagerly anticipate the team’s return to GT World Challenge America competition to defend their title.
“I look forward to returning to the wheel of the Acura NSX GT3 Evo,” said Kyle Marcelli. “The car is awesome, and HPD provides outstanding trackside support to help win races. We aim to extract the most from ourselves and the race car and do our best to achieve top points each weekend.”
“The Racers Edge team really came together, eager to deliver the best. Their attention to detail was key to our success. Martin did a great job in his rookie season of GT3 competition.”
Martin Barkey echoes his co-driver’s sentiment. “I’m excited to be racing the MBRP Acura NSX GT3 again. The Racers Edge team really know their stuff, Kyle always delivers the goods and the NSX just always seems ready to race.”
“We now have data, knowledge and preparation to our advantage that we didn’t have last year at this time. We have the right car, the best team, and the support required. We’re ready.”
In 2019, Racers Edge Motorsports earned two overall pole positions and three race wins, including the first victory for the new Acura NSX GT3 Evo package at Circuit of The Americas. Overall, Barkey and Marcelli finished on the podium nine times during the season. In addition to the Drivers’ title, the team finished second in the GT3 Pro/Am Team Championship.
“2019 was a fantastic debut season for our program,” Marcelli concluded. “Yet, we aim to make 2020 even better.”
The 2020 GT World Challenge America season kicks off March 6-8 at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, TX.