Kakunoshin Ohta will join Renger van der Zande, Nick Yelloly and Alex Palou for The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
Pataskala, Ohio (11 December 2024) – Acura Meyer Shank Racing (“Acura MSR”) is excited to announce that Kakunoshin Ohta will join full-season drivers Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly, as well as endurance driver Alex Palou for the historic 24 Hour race.
Ohta, a graduate of the Honda Formula Dream Project, will also join van der Zande and Yelloly in the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.
Last month, Ohta tested with Acura MSR at Daytona International Speedway, impressing in his first outing in an LMDh car. In between his commitments to Japan’s Super GT and Super Formula Championships, he prepared for the test by making two U.S. trips to use Honda Racing Corporation’s simulator in Indianapolis.
The 25-year-old Honda Factory driver started racing in the F4 Japanese Championship in 2018, where he spent three full-time seasons. The last three years, Ohta has been doing triple duty in Japan by competing in Super Formula, Super GT and Super Taikyu, where he’s racked up 11 wins and 13 poles.
In November, Acura MSR announced their 2025 IMSA Endurance Lineup. In addition to the aforementioned roster of the No. 93 car, full-time MSR drivers Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun will be joined by Felix Rosenqvist and Scott Dixon in the No. 60 sister car.
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicks off the 2025 season with the Roar Before the 24, January 19-21, followed by the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, January 23-26.
Acura Meyer Shank Racing Quotes:
Mike Shank (co-owner, Acura Meyer Shank Racing): “We’re really excited to have Ohta with us for three races this year. He did a really nice job at the test last month at Daytona and he fit in with the team very well. Now that we have both cars locked in, we’ll put our heads down and get to work at the Roar next month.”
Kakunoshin Ohta: “I am very happy that my challenge to race in IMSA has been officially decided. I will make sure that I live up to everyone’s expectations and continue to grow, not only in terms of results, but also for further advancement. I am looking forward to teaming up with the world’s top drivers and competing in the top category. I look forward to your support.”
Takuma Sato, HRC Executive Advisor: “We are delighted that HRS graduate Ohta is taking on the challenge of IMSA, as North American races such as IMSA and IndyCar are truly a global challenge, attracting top-class competitors from all over the world. Ohta’s success in Super Formula and SUPER GT proves that he has the ability to compete on a global level. We sincerely hope that he will take advantage of this opportunity to make further progress. We also hope that his challenge will give hope to many young drivers and help pave the way for them to reach the world stage, and we would like to contribute to the creating such an environment.”