2007 Acura ARX-01a

XM Satellite Radio And Andretti Green Racing Expand Motorsports Partnership Into 2007 American Le Mans Series

Two-time IndyCar Series winner Bryan Herta to compete in all-new XM-Sponsored Acura Courage
XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading satellite radio company with more than 7 million subscribers, announced it will be the primary sponsor of the Andretti Green Racing (AGR) Acura Courage car in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The car is being unveiled today by driver Bryan Herta at the XM booth at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.




'I'm really looking forward to continuing my relationship with XM Satellite Radio and also to the opportunity to spearhead Andretti Green Racing's entrance into the American Le Mans Series,' said Herta. 'I look back on my 13 years as an IndyCar driver and have a lot of great memories. Now, it's on to the next chapter of my career, and I'm very excited to drive a world-class Acura Courage sponsored by XM.'

'XM is dedicated to supporting our automotive partners on the open road and at the race track. We're especially pleased to be part of Acura's debut season in the American Le Mans Series with Andretti Green Racing,' said George Perry, director, Partnership and Event Marketing, XM Satellite Radio. 'We're also looking forward to the launch of the new 'Andretti Green Racing Hour' show that will include a behind-the-scenes look into the ALMS.'



XM is standard across the entire 2007 Acura model line, including three months of complimentary XM service upon purchase. XM NavTraffic, the nation's first satellite-based real-time traffic information service, is offered in four of Acura's top-selling models and is now available for 44 major metro markets nationwide.

About XM Satellite Radio

XM (NASDAQ: XMSR) is America's number one satellite radio company with more than 7 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2006 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.

XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota, is available in more than 140 different vehicle models for 2006. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-3-06. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department. Programming schedule subject to change.

Source - Acura

Andretti Green Racing was established in December 2002 following the purchase of Team Green from racing icon Barry Green. The company is owned and operated by partners Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree.
Michael Andretti, Chief Executive Officer Andretti Green Racing
The name Michael Andretti is synonymous with auto racing success throughout the world. As a driver, Michael Andretti is in his 19th season of Champ Car racing. During his illustrious career Andretti has won one championship, finished as runner-up five times, finished in the top ten in the championship in 17 out of 18 seasons and holds numerous racing records. Andretti's racing records include most wins among active Champ Car drivers with 42, the record for most laps led, 6,564 laps, most poles, 32 and most starts in his career with 299 starts.
Off the race track Andretti is also an accomplished businessman. As part of his business entities Andretti owns Michael Andretti Powersports, Andretti Dealerships, Andretti Global Development and is in partnership in Andretti Petroleum and Andretti Enterprises.





D. Kevin Savoree, Vice President Finance, Chief Operating Officer Andretti Green Racing
Kevin Savoree, a CPA and long-time advisor to Barry Green, has been treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of Team Green, Inc. since 1994. Savoree began his professional career as accounting intern at Larsson, Woodyard & Henson (LWH) in 1981 and was admitted as partner to the firm in 1987 and has been on a leave of absence from the firm since assuming the position of Vice President Finance and Chief Operating Officer for Team Green in November 2000. Savoree has had significant involvement in negotiation and administration of professional racing driver and race team contracts as well as involvement in management and operations of racing entities involving drivers and teams, international tax issues related to multi-national professional racing drivers and race teams. Savoree graduated in 1981 from Eastern Illinois Úniversity with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society.

Source - Andretti Green Racing

Acura Sports Car Debut Proves To Be Sensational With Victory In Legendary 12 Hours Of Sebring

All Three Acura ALMS Teams Finish In The Top Six Overall Positions
The three new Acura American Le Mans Series teams made a spectacular debut Saturday by taking the first, second and fourth positions in the LMP2 class at the 55th annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, one of the world's most prestigious road-racing events.
The Andretti Green Racing effort, with drivers Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan, scored the LMP2 class victory over the Lowe's Fernandez Racing team of Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz after the grueling 12-hour endurance contest. The AGR trio finished second overall to the factory Audi LMP1, racing on the lead lap against the more powerful German manufacturer before gearbox woes slowed the Acura ARX-01a driven by Herta in the final hour. The Fernandez team placed third overall, just two laps shy of the AGR team.
The Highcroft Racing team, with drivers David Brabham, Stefan Johansson and Duncan Dayton, placed fourth in the ALMS and sixth overall in its Acura ARX-01a sports car.
The victory was special for the staff of Honda Performance Development as the winning machine was designed and developed, in partnership with chassis specialist Wirth Research, at the HPD headquarters in Santa Clarita, Calif. It marked the first time an HPD-designed engine and car had competed in a Ú.S. racing event.
The overall winning Audi completed 364 laps, with the Andretti Green Acura ARX-01a finishing with 358 laps and Fernandez Racing at 356. Highcroft Racing recorded 351 laps Saturday.
The LMP2 race was set up to be a battle between the factory Porsches from Penske Racing and the three Acura factory cars. But early brake trouble for the Porsches proved to be German marque's demise.
The Acuras from AGR and Highcroft set the pace in the class while the Fernandez car had a steering issue in the first three hours. An electrical problem slowed the Highcroft car and the Andretti Green XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01a ran strong into the evening hours. The ARX-01a chassis will unveiled Thursday in a special media event.
Úntil the final hour, the AGR machine challenged the more-powerful Audi lap for lap, before the late race gearbox problem slowed Herta in the final hour.
The Acura finish was one of the most impressive debuts ever seen in the 55-year history of the famed Sebring International Raceway and set the stage for the reminder of the 12-race American Le Mans Series.
The next Acura event is Saturday, March 31, on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., the three-hour Acura Sports Car Challenge.
12 Hours Of Sebring Results
LMP2 Class
1. ANDRETTI GREEN RACING (Herta, Franchitti, Kanaan)
2. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ RACING ACÚRA (Fernandez, Diaz)
4. HIGHCROFT RACING ACÚRA (Brabham, Johansson, Dayton)
Acura Quotes:
ROBERT CLARKE, HPD President: 'I can't put it into words. I would rate it as one of the highest emotional experiences I've had. So much work went into this program. We won on multiple levels. I could not have imagine it would finish this way. It's been a long road, not just for HPD but for Acura, our teams, sponsors, drivers and everyone who is involved in the program.'
MICHAEL ANDRETTI, co-owner, No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01a car that Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan drove to LMP2 victory Saturday: 'This was a fun race, except for those last 20 laps. We had some issues with Bryan at the end and we got through them. It was a real cliffhanger for us with the gearbox. It was a great way to start out in Acura's first factory sports car race. It was a tough race and we knew it coming into this weekend. But the 12-hour simulation race last month here helped us, and all of the Acura teams were prepared for today's race. Obviously, it paid off for all three teams.'
BRYAN HERTA (#26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): 'Everyone at AGR and Acura worked so hard to put this program together. And in such a short time. I didn't know what to expect here at Sebring. It is such a tough race. I couldn't imagine coming out and winning right out of the box. It's a tremendous effort for Acura in its first American Le Mans Series race and its first Sebring race. The 12-hour simulation race we ran in February was a huge help for our team and all of the Acura teams. We learned so much from that experience. It was very nervous for us in the last hour since we had some gearbox problems. I wasn't sure if we were going to make it to the finish. But the AGR guys talked me through the problems and we cruised home for the win. It was fun to win with my good friends Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan.'
DARIO FRANCHITTI (#26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): 'It's amazing just to think about where the Acura program was six months ago and what the guys at the AGR shop were looking at for this project. We were able to work from nearly scratch to make a car that was fast and reliable. The team - the engineers and mechanics - was flawless today. We had a great race car. That last hour I had my heart in my mouth when Bryan had the gearbox problem. It was tough to sit there and watch. But he brought it home and that is all that matters. It is so nice to be on the podium with your friends. Bryan, Tony and I have raced together for a long time. So this is very special for all of us. You could not have asked for a better finish here at Sebring.'
TONY KANAAN (#26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a - Co-winner in LMP2): 'This win is special in many ways. I have been with the Honda and Acura family for many years and they have been with me for most of my success here in the Únited States. It is a dream to win a race with two of my best friends. And for Acura. They have been behind me for years and to win in their first sports car race is fantastic. I don't want to take anything away from the other races or championships I have won. But this victory is something I will never forget. I wasn't that comfortable in the car coming here, since I only drove twice before. Bryan and Dario helped me get used to the car and I want to thank them for helping me. The AGR guys did a tremendous job with the car and the race strategy to take the XM car to the winner's circle. This win is very exciting.' Úpcoming: Acura Sports Car Challenge Date: March 30-31, 2007 Location: St. Petersburg, Fla. street course Track Type: 1.8-mile street circuit Race: Round 2 of 12 Races, 5:05 p.m. American Le Mans Series Distance: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Source - Acura

Highcroft Acura Team Makes The Podium In Rough & Tumble Acura Sports Car Challenge Of St. Petersburg Saturday

Acura Sports Car Teams Take Third, Fourth In Wild ALMS Event
The Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg proved to a real street fight Saturday, with some slam-bang action around the 1.8-mile circuit.
The American Le Mans Series debut in the streets of St. Petersburg lived up to expectations with many lead changes and a number of racing incidents that saw the Acura teams battle back through the field to finish third and fourth in the LMP2 class.
The new Highcroft Acura team, with drivers David Brabham and Stefan Johansson, scored its first podium finish with a third place in the darkness at the checkered flag. The Penske Porsches, who started first and second on the grid, placed 1-2 after coming back from a variety of mishaps.
The Sebring-winning No. 26 XM Satellite Acura ARX-01a of Andretti Green Racing stole the show at the start of the race when young driver Marino Franchitti shot from his fifth starting spot to the lead in the first five laps. Franchitti, younger brother of IndyCar veteran and Sebring winner Dario, jumped to a ten-second advantage in the earlier stages. However, on Lap 37, Franchitti's car was hit by the Porsche of Ryan Briscoe and the Acura was sent into the tire barrier. Franchitti brought the car to the pits but repairs were needed to replace the rear wing. Bryan Herta took over the driving chores from Franchitti but was 30 laps behind the leaders, and the No. 26 Acura finished seventh in the LMP2 class.
The Lowe's Fernandez team took its Acura Lola to the lead in the middle of the race and was racing the more-powerful Audis for the overall win. However, driver Luis Diaz was penalized for contact with a lapped car and lost two laps in the pits. Co-driver Adrian Fernandez drove the last hour and brought the Lowe's Acura home fourth. It was a solid performance in the team's title chase.
The Highcroft Acura squad moved into the lead with less than an hour remaining and held off the Penske cars' challenge until a penalty hurt its chances for a win. Stefan Johansson had to make a late pit stop and dropped back to third. David Brabham had vaulted the car into a challenging position before the pit stop violation penalty. The American Le Mans Series moves to the famed Long Beach Grand Prix on April 14 on the 1.9-mile street course.
Acura Sports Car Challenge
Lmp2 Class
1. Penske Porsche No. 6
2. Penske Porsche No. 7
3. HIGHCROFT RACING ACÚRA ARX-01a No. 9
4. LOWE'S FERNANDEZ ACÚRA LOLA No. 15
7. ANDRETTI GREEN ACÚRA ARX-01a No. 26
Úpcoming: Long Beach Grand Prix
Date: April 13-14, 2007
Location: Long Beach, Calif., street course
Track Type: 1.9-mile street circuit
Race: Round 3 of 12 Races, 4 p.m.
American Le Mans Series
Distance: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Acura Quotes:
DAVID BRABHAM (#9 Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-01a, Started fifth, finished third in LMP2): 'We ran a good pace today. I am very proud of the Highcroft team and the progress they have made with the new Acura car and engine. We had a pretty strong car in the race. The start was very interesting and I was just looking for a safe place. Gee, it was a twohour, 45-minute race. It is crazy to get too excited in Turn One. I got a good start and our Acura felt good. In the middle of the race, we were picking them off one at a time. We were in position to win the LMP2 class today and that is a tremendous feat for this young team. It was unfortunate that late in the race we had a problem. Stefan Johansson came in the pits late and he had to drive through. We lost some ground there. Overall, we'll take third to the Porsches right now. We are developing this team and I think we can run with the leaders in the streets and on the permanent circuits.'
STEFAN JOHANSSON (#9 Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-01a): 'The car felt good in the middle of the stint. We just had a radio problem late that really cost us. I thought I needed to pit and the team wanted me to stay out on the track. So I drove through the pits and we got a penalty. We were leading the P2 class at that point. I'm not sure I could have held off the Porsches but the car is coming around for a new chassis. We are making some very good progress with this new car.'
LÚIS DIAZ: (#15 Lowe's Fernandez Acura Lola 06/40, Started third, finished fourth in LMP2) 'I felt we had a car to win today. The Lowe's Acura Lola ran a terrific pace and it was tough to have a good car but not win. I think we have a great team here and I am excited about the rest of the season. I don't know what was going on at the start. There was just too much risk at the start for a long race. We got a penalty when I collided with the No. 20 car. I thought I was in position to pass and we made contact. That wasn't good. But we will move on and get ready for Long Beach. I think we have a very good car for that kind of street course.'
ADRIAN FERNANDEZ (#15 Lowe's Fernandez Acura Lola 06/40): 'It was a great race for us. We have to learn about some drivers and certain situations. But that is part of sports car racing. We have to know about cars that are in lapped position. Luis got caught in that type of situation and we got a penalty. So we learned and we will move on. I am pleased with the pace we were able to run with the Lowe's Acura. We didn't have that at Sebring. But here at St. Pete, we found a good race pace. We scored some points and look towards the whole season.'
MARINO FRANCHITTI (#26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, Started Fourth, Finished seventh in LMP2) 'I am very disappointed today. I made a rookie mistake earlier, even with a good start. I got into a tire barrier and clipped the rear wing. We had to change the wing and cost us a lot of time. I couldn't tell what happened when I hit the barrier in Turn Ten. I wasn't sure if I got hit or not. But I hit the barrier very hard and I couldn't get the car pulled out. I guess Ryan Briscoe hit me since they gave him a penalty. But it hurt us. Bryan Herta came in here with the championship lead and I didn't help him today. The car felt good throughout the early stint. We were turning some good laps. We just couldn't get the car to the driver change for Bryan. That really upsets me. This is a good team and I want to contribute to this Acura effort. It is an honor to drive for Acura. We'll be ready for Long Beach.'

Source - Acura

Fernandez, Kanaan Make Great Comebacks For Third, Fourth In The Laguna Seca ALMS Season Finale

Two Open-Wheel Veterans Show The Sports Car Crowd A Super Show

Veteran drivers Adrian Fernandez and Tony Kanaan made Saturday's American Le Mans Series season finale at Laguna Seca Raceway a thrilling finish for the large crowd at the 2.238-mile, 11-turn legendary road circuit.
The two open-wheel stars came to the ALMS campaign in 2007 and, on Saturday, left a indelible mark on the thousands of fans who cheered them through the four-hour sports-car feature. At the end of the 157-lap contest, Fernandez had driven his No. 15 Lowe's Fernandez Racing Acura Lola to third place in the LMP2 division, with Kanaan taking the No. 26 XM Satellite Radio Acura ARX-01a to fourth.
The Acura factory drivers returned to Laguna Seca this weekend to battle the vaunted Penske Porsches wheel-to-wheel and they didn't disappoint. Throw in a sterling drive by the Highcroft Racing Acura of David Brabham and Stefan Johansson and the three Acura-backed prototype cars left a superb impression on fellow competitors and cheering fans.
The day didn't start well for the Acura teams as drivers Bryan Herta and Brabham spun on the opening lap of the event. But both drivers regrouped to bring their cars back into contention.
Fernandez' co-driver Luis Diaz raced for the overall lead in the first hour of action before handing his mount off to Adrian for the final two hours. Herta was relieved by Kanaan after 90 minutes and the Andretti Green squad came from two laps behind to battle for the lead at the end of the race.
Brabham drove back to sixth after two hours in the No. 9 Highcroft Racing ARX-01a and codriver Johansson promptly passed the cars ahead to third place. However, the Highcroft charge was cut short when Johansson's machine was hit from behind and stopped in a runoff area. The car was not reparable and finished ninth.
Meanwhile, Fernandez and Kanaan dodged slower traffic and raced side-by-side with the more powerful Audis and the potent Penske Porsches. Both clicked off fastest laps in their charge through the field.
With 30 minutes remaining, Fernandez and Kanaan became embroiled in their own battle as they swapped positions lap after lap. The two Acura racers were within a second of racing to the lead before settling for third and fourth in the darkness.
At the checkered flag, the Penske cars of Romain Dumas and Ryan Briscoe finished one-two followed by Fernandez and Kanaan. With the 12-race American Le Mans Series now concluded, Acura's debut season saw the three factory teams, AGR, Fernandez and Highcroft, collect one win (12 Hours of Sebring), eleven podium finishes and two overall pole positions, at Long Beach and Houston.
Now, the work begins for the Acura organizations as they prepare for the 2008 American Le Mans Series season with development scheduled on the ARX-01a chassis and the 3.4-liter, V-8 Acura engine.

Source - Acura