Tom Blomqvist believes his expertise of the Oreca-based Acura prototype will assist Ford “pace up the early growth” of its Hypercar challenger.
The 2-time Daytona 24 Hours winner will signify the American producer within the World Endurance Championship’s high class in 2027, transferring throughout from the Acura GTP programme that shall be “paused” on the finish of the present 12 months.
Blomqvist has raced for Honda’s luxurious model since 2022 and has developed a powerful understanding of the ARX-06, in addition to a detailed working relationship with the Oreca engineers who collaborated on the challenge.
As Ford prepares for its high-profile return to the highest echelon of sportscar racing, it has additionally joined forces with the French constructor for the event of the as-yet-unnamed, V8-powered LMDh contender.
Blomqvist believes his data of the Acura will show invaluable as Ford prepares to roll out its automotive in August forward of the beginning of the 2027 marketing campaign in March.
Whereas he stays contracted to Acura till the tip of the 12 months, he’ll participate within the majority of Ford’s check programme because of particular dispensation from Honda.
“We’ve tried numerous issues over time. Basically, the backbone and the suspension are all mainly the identical,” the British-born Swede defined.
“I am hoping numerous issues translate. I do know numerous issues. We do not have to hassle losing our time as a result of I already know they may not work, or the place to essentially hone in on or concentrate on, or perhaps some weak areas that we will doubtlessly enhance on while the automotive remains to be contemporary.
“I feel that is simply the stuff that type of hastens numerous early growth, and particularly early like set-up growth work that you will find yourself doing, otherwise you will not be capable of do early on since you’re focussing on reliability of sure areas.
“I feel the foundations in that space must be fairly respectable from the beginning, however there’s clearly a ton of labor forward of us, the software program facet of issues is clearly one thing we obtained to do from scratch.”
Fourth LMDh challenge for Oreca
#60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian: Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun
Photograph by: Brandon Badraoui / Lumen through Getty Pictures
Blomqvist joins a star-studded line-up that additionally consists of fellow Acura driver Nick Yelloly, reigning IMSA SportsCar champion Matt Campbell, former Components 1 driver Logan Sargeant, Le Mans 24 Hours winner Mike Rockenfeller and rising star Sebastian Priaulx.Yelloly joined Acura final 12 months after a spell at BMW, the place he raced the Dallara LMP2-based M Hybrid V8.
All LMDh producers should construct a automotive on a chassis provided by one of many 4 licensed suppliers: Oreca, Multimatic, Dallara and Ligier.
Oreca has confirmed to be a well-liked alternative amongst producers, with Acura, Alpine, Genesis and now Ford all working with Hugues de Chaunac’s organisation for his or her WEC/IMSA initiatives.
Blomqvist hopes Oreca will help Ford hit the bottom working in testing, having already labored efficiently with a number of producers because the LMDh platform was launched in 2023.
“The Acura was the primary automotive with Oreca and so they’ve clearly had years with us,” he mentioned. “All these small bits that perhaps weren’t working accurately, or perhaps small reliability points, have been ironed out over time with Alpine and Genesis.
“So, we’re hoping that it is solely going to be higher with one other growth cycle.”
Whereas the LMDh rules permit producers to obtain a number of spec elements, Ford nonetheless has to design and develop the majority of the automotive, together with the interior combustion engine.
Blomqvist is below no phantasm in regards to the problem Ford faces, however is optimistic in regards to the Blue Oval’s long-term objectives because it chases its first outright Le Mans win since 1969.
“Clearly, it is extra from the engine again and the electronics, the software program, and growing the crew and the operations,” he mentioned.
“That is going to be a giant programme. It will be lots of people. There’s going to be numerous work within the subsequent few months earlier than the tip of the season and the early testing. There is a ton of labor forward of us, so you have to put all the correct individuals in place. That is been Dan Sayers’ job over the previous god is aware of what number of months.
“So, look there’s undoubtedly a giant process forward of us, however I am actually enthusiastic about this programme lots.
“I feel we’re simply seeing the hospitality down there and the trouble they’ll put into this. They’re coming right here to win. The heritage speaks for itself.
“Clearly, the primary 12 months is all the time going to be difficult. We’re all nicely conscious of that, however this isn’t a short-term gig.”
Tom Blomqvist, Ford Racing
Photograph by: Ford
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