Acura Is Reportedly Considering Dropping Its IMSA GTP Program

Acura has been a major player in IMSA's GTP category since it debuted in 2023, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in the first race ever contested by its ARX-06 hybrid racer. The brand has continued in the series over four seasons—but a pair of new reports suggest that this could change before 2027.

The story from Sportscar365, citing multiple sources from within the IMSA paddock, claims that an internal decision was made weeks ago to move on from the current factory operation with Meyer Shank Racing. Another report from Racer claims that the company is evaluating its plans ahead of potentially deciding to shutter its factory program. If a decision has been made, it would reportedly not rule out a potential customer program with the car, opening the door for the ARX-06 to continue with a team like recently-rumored FIA World Endurance Championship partner Inter Europol.

An agreement for that team to race the Acura in Europe has not come together, but it does not necessarily mean that Inter Europol or another team could not run the car in IMSA or elsewhere. The Acura could also now be eligible to race in the Asian Le Mans Series, which is opening entries for pro-am cars built for the global Hypercar specification starting next season.

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In an interview with Road & Track, HRC US president David Salters commented briefly on reporting suggesting that the team could be linked to a future customer program in IMSA or elsewhere. "I've read that we're going to [the FIA World Endurance Championship]," Salters joked; "what I see today, that seems like the opposite from what's been written. I can't vouch for what's been written, but I don't believe much of it right now. Every time I read it, someone's telling us something different."

Salters referred R&T to a statement shared by HRC US on the subject, stating that "Acura and HRC US are focused on the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Campionship season where we continue to campaign two Acura ARX-06 GTP entries with Meyer Shank Racing. Any speculation regarding plans beyond the 2026 season is premature. The 2027 Acura Motorsports plans are being finalized and we will share more information with you at a later date."

Fred Smith's love of cars comes from his fascination with auto racing. Unfortunately, that passion led him to daily drive a high-mileage, first-year Porsche Panamera. He is still thinking about the last lap of the 2011 Indianapolis 500.