In the debut of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP hybrid powertrain regulations, the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 team fought hard to earn a second-place finish at the 2023 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. The 1-2 finish for Acura marks Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport’s (WTRAndretti) fifth-consecutive podium and ninth top two since 2013. Despite falling three laps down in the night, WTRAndretti drivers Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Louis Delétraz and Brendon Hartley fought back to the front of the GTP field in the final hour, contending for the win.

 

Ricky Taylor took the green flag for the 61st Running of the Rolex 24 at DAYTONA, and got a great start before passing off to Louis Deletraz. The Swiss driver quadruple stinted and passed for the lead on track in his first top-class IMSA race experience.

 

During a scheduled oil change through the late hours of the night, the crew encountered a mechanical issue that resulted in the blue and black entry falling three laps down. As the sun rose over Daytona International Speedway, Taylor and Deletraz piloted the No. 10 Acura to close the deficit. Albuquerque returned to the driver’s seat and through some luck with cautions, the No. 10 crew was back on the lead lap with just over an hour remaining. Albuquerque made some characteristic rapid starts, making passes on-track on the way to the podium.

 

“I’m very proud of Acura, HPD and our partnerships with Konica Minolta and Harrison Contracting,” said No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 team owner Wayne Taylor. “Without them this wouldn’t happen. We have such a great team of people. From media, to mechanics or engineers, we have such great people and fantastic drivers. Their support is what keeps me doing this. Honestly, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be doing this. It’s also nice being an underdog against people like Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi and beating them—it’s just great!”

 

“First of all, it was an amazing job by Acura and HPD for giving us two cars to fight for the win,” said two-time IMSA Champion Ricky Taylor. “I don’t think it can be overstated how amazing that accomplishment is when considering the likes of Porsche and BMW and the struggles they had. Our cars ran flawlessly. To our No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 team, this accomplishment of consecutive top-two finishes is really unprecedented, especially considering it persists through different car manufacturers and specifications. This is our ninth top two since 2013, and I don’t think any other team in the world has that type of consistency in 24-hour races. Lastly, my teammates all drove like champions. It was inspiring to watch Filipe at the end, charging through the field like that. He always gives everything and leaves nothing on the table. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the pace for the win and ended up second.”

 

“It was a great comeback from the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 team,” said Filipe Albuquerque. “To be three laps down to the very end and still come back. We took all the chances, all the opportunities to overtake everyone. I’m proud of the team and I gave all my best. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough for P1. But again, we will keep learning about the car. An amazing job from Acura to do 1-2 and no issues at all on the car. Again, we should be proud.”

 

“It was an incredible race,” said Louis Deletraz. “Obviously with second, happy and disappointed at the same time because everyone wants to win Daytona. I think it’s wonderful for Acura and the whole No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 team has been working so hard. It’s a fantastic result. I’m super proud of my three teammates. We’ve achieved so much and it’s an honor for me to share the car with them. The whole team and crew had no mistakes the whole 24 hours and that really brought us back from three laps down with a few hours to go. We were fighting for the win and Filipe gave it everything at the end. It was a very nice way to start my first race with this team and in GTP.”

 

“It's bittersweet to finish second, but massive congratulations to everyone here at WTRAndretti and Acura,” said Brendon Hartley. “I enjoyed working with Filipe, Ricky, Louis and the whole No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 team so much. We really did give it our all, and I’m extremely proud of the effort that went into this result. I’m only signed up for the one event, but I really hope I can join this team again in the future.”

 

The WTRAndretti team will next head to Sebring International Raceway for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 18th, 2023. Flag to flag coverage will begin at 10:05 a.m. ET on Peacock as well as the second half of the event broadcast on USA Network beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.

 

 

ABOUT KONICA MINOLTA

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is reshaping and revolutionizing the workplace to achieve true connectivity through the Intelligent Connected Workplace. The company guides and supports its clients’ digital transformation through its expansive office technology portfolio, including IT Services (All Covered), intelligent information management, managed print services and industrial and commercial print solutions. Konica Minolta has been included on CRN’s MSP 500 list nine times and The World Technology Awards named the company a finalist in the IT Software category. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for fifteen consecutive years, and is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2021 America's Best-in-State employers list. The company received Keypoint Intelligence’s BLI 2021 A3 Line of The Year Award and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Award for its bizhub i-Series. Konica Minolta, Inc. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for nine consecutive years and has spent four years on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list. The company recognizes 150 years in global business in 2023. Konica Minolta partners with its clients to give shape to ideas and works to bring value to our society. For more information, please visit us online and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

 

The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 effort and Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport (WTRAndretti) is supported by an outstanding lineup of partners including Harrison Contracting Company, Acura Motorsports, Honda Performance Development and Hammer Nutrition .