Renger van der Zande Clinches Victory for Acura at IMSA Detroit
Detroit, MI – Renger van der Zande delivered a dramatic late-race pass to secure victory for Acura’s No. 93 entry at the latest IMSA race in Detroit, marking the team’s first win of the season. Van der Zande’s maneuver, described by him as a moment of childlike excitement, not only thrilled spectators but also reversed a streak of dominance by Porsche, which had claimed every previous race this season.
Starting from pole position, the No. 93 Acura faced a challenging race, ultimately repeating last year’s win on the Michigan streets, this time under a new engineering framework following significant off-season changes. This victory is notable as it comes after a tumultuous transition where Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) began developing cars in-house, a significant shift from their previous operational model.
David Salters, president of HRC, credited the team’s evolution for the breakthrough, stating, "The biggest thing that has changed is we’re more of a team." Emphasizing collaboration and optimization, he noted their commitment to honing strategies, which has been evident in the team’s performance in the past races.
While factors such as the recent Balance of Performance adjustments affecting Porsche and BMW played a role, van der Zande acknowledged the complexity of winning in IMSA: "On raw speed, there was no chance, but navigating traffic, perfect strategy and pit stops combined with elite driving helped us get this win."
The No. 93 Acura’s triumph is bolstered by strong performances from teammates, particularly Tom Blomqvist in the sister No. 60 car, contributing to the overall team synergy. The car’s handling and balance have benefitted from van der Zande’s aggressive racecraft and Nick Yelloly’s analytical insight, creating a potent combination on the track.
After this victory, the No. 93 is positioned significantly behind the leading No. 7 Porsche in the championship standings, trailing by approximately 314 points, roughly equivalent to two race wins. Salters remains optimistic about the rest of the season, asserting a commitment to competitive performance and continuous improvement.
As the action now shifts to Watkins Glen, with a respite from the intensity of the Le Mans 24 Hours for Honda personnel, there is a renewed focus on maintaining momentum and executing strategies effectively to pursue further victories.
With the season still at its midpoint, the Acura team aims to build on this success, driven by an enhanced collaborative spirit and a determination to challenge for the championship.
