Honda Performance Development Announces Dakota Dickerson and Jacob Abel in its 2021 HPD Factory Driver Lineup

Honda Performance Development Announces Dakota Dickerson and Jacob Abel in its 2021 HPD Factory Driver Lineup
  • HPD Factory and Junior Drivers to compete in multiple racing series in 2021
  • New Junior Drivers complete HPD’ s racing ladder
  • HPD GT3 Driver Academy cultivates next generation of racing talent

Santa Clarita, CA (March 2, 2021) – As the leader of all Honda and Acura high-performance racing programs in North America, Honda Performance Development (HPD) is committed to cultivating the next generation of championship racing talent. Through HPD’s GT3 Driver Academy, Junior Factory Driver Program, and Factory Driver Program, talent is supported by HPD at every milestone in their racing careers; from building the skills necessary to compete through the academy, to racing on HPD’s championship-winning teams at the highest levels in North America.

HPD’s 2021 Factory Driver team hosts an impressive lineup of all-star talent, including IMSA racers Ryan Eversley and Mario Farnbacher.  Acura prototype drivers Dane Cameron and Ricky Taylor also serve as mentors and coaches for the program.

Continuing this racing legacy, HPD announces its 2021 Junior Factory Driver lineup for 2021:

Matt McMurray: The 2020 GTD and 2019 LMP2 Drivers’ Champion in the IMSA WeatherTech series, McMurray is also the youngest driver to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Jacob Abel: A multiple-podium open wheel racer, F4 U.S. Championship with FR Americas Series experience, and graduate of the HPD GT3 Driver Academy.

Dakota Dickerson: The 2018 F4 U.S. Champion, 2019 F3 Americas Champion, IMSA Prototype challenge winner, and 2015 Team U.S.A. Scholarship winner. Dickerson is a graduate of the HPD GT3 Driver Academy.

HPD’s Junior Factory drivers Jacob Abel and Dakota Dickerson will compete in the SRO GT Americas series with Racers Edge Motorsports and Matt McMurray will drive for Compass Racing for the 2021 season. The Racers Edge Motorsports team has proven its excellence on the track by securing both 2020 and 2019 Team Championships in SRO GT3 with Acura Motorsports.

Operating under the guidance and direction of HPD, Racers Edge Motorsports also conducts the HPD GT3 Driver Academy, overseeing progression of the program’s young racing students and paving the road for the next generation of HPD racing talent. Included in the HPD GT3 Academy’s next generation of racing talent is recent graduate Karl Wittmer, a Canadian touring car racer who will be competing in the SRO E-Sport GT Series in 2021.

“We at HPD are committed to providing championship platforms to support developing drivers achieve their dreams. The Acura Motorsports family has carefully created a robust academy curriculum infused with collaborative spirit that gives future sports cars stars inside access to the Precision Crafted Performance DNA of Acura. Our program success is defined as much by the growth of our graduates as by the doors that open for them because of their successful completion of the program”, John Whiteman, HPD Commercial Motorsports Manager.

The HPD GT3 Driver Academy is currently accepting applications for admission to its 2021 program, with drivers to be selected and announced in coming weeks.  For admissions inquiries, please contact Lee Niffenegger, Program Manager at LNiffenegger@hra.com.

 

About Honda Performance Development:

Honda Performance Development, Inc., (HPD) has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers since 1993.  From pinnacle racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HPD powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers from age 4 to 40+. HPD is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and leads all of Honda and Acura’s high-performance racing programs in North America.  HPD specializes in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. HPD offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsport racers, and is continually expanding its palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of pro racing.