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Category: IMSA

International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) news and information

  • Wright Motorsports Reveals Driver Changes in IMSA Programs

    Wright Motorsports Reveals Driver Changes in IMSA Programs

    BATAVIA, Ohio. (June 16, 2021) – Heading into the fifth event of the IMSA season, Wright Motorsports has announced changes to the driver lineup of the No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Trent Hindman will replace full-season driver Ryan Hardwick to race alongside Patrick Long in the GTD-class championship while Hardwick continues his championship efforts in the Michelin Pilot Challenge with Jan Heylen in the No. 16 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport in the GS class.

    Hindman first joined the team’s GTD effort in January’s Rolex 24 At Daytona, where the team earned its second consecutive fourth-place finish at the famed endurance event. He reprised his role for the Twelve Hours of Sebring, racing alongside Patrick Long and Jan Heylen, earning a second-place result. Hardwick returned for the third event of the year, the team’s home race at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course. The No. 16 Porsche 911 GT3 R was showing an impressive run for a podium finish when contact from another car took the team out of contention. Hindman’s return to the No. 16 1st Phorm Porsche will provide the young American with the opportunity to again vie for the championship, after taking the GTD class title in 2019.

    In Michelin Pilot Challenge, the team has made big strides to make up for lost time after missing the first race of the season, securing two pole positions and two second-place finishes in its two races. In Hardwick’s first Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course, he secured the pole position, finishing second with co-driver Jan Heylen in the No. 16 1st Phorm Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. With the strong momentum fully in stride, the pair are working their way up to the points leaders to contend for the 2021 championship.

    The new changes will take effect beginning with next week’s race events, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen and the Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at the Glen and continue to the remainder of the season. Details for the upcoming races will follow in the team’s event release next week.

    Wright Motorsports
    Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series, international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013 and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. The 2020 season will see the team return to IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship. For more information, visit wrightmotorsports.com

  • NTe Sport Returns to IMSA WeatherTech for Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen

    NTe Sport Returns to IMSA WeatherTech for Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen

    DALLAS, Tex., (June 14, 2021) – IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team NTe Sport will return to competition this month in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, racing the No. 42 Audi R8 LMS in the GTD class.

    “We’ve been working hard to assemble a program to get us back on track for WeatherTech events,” said team owner Paul Mata. “We had a gearbox issue at Daytona in the final hours and have been working hard to make sure we get back out there to continue to race and grow at top levels like WeatherTech.”

    After racing with the team in their IMSA WeatherTech debut in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January, driver Don Yount will return to the seat and be joined by Markus Palttala and Jaden Conwright.

    “I’m excited for the lineup and opportunity to race in the Six Hours of the Glen,” said Yount. “It’s good to be reunited with Marcus Palttala. We won together at Watkins Glen in 2018 and will look to repeat the success this year. Jayden will be quick and great addition to the team for the race.”

    Yount and Palttala’s win at Watkins Glen International was one of the most recent races in North America for Palttala. The Finnish driver has been keeping busy, racing in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, where he earned a third-place finish in 2020.

    “I’m looking forward to reuniting with Don, getting to know the team and Jaden, and to discover the Audi R8 LMS GT3,” said Palttala. “We’ve got some catching up to do, as this will be our first time working together as a group, but I’m confident we’ve got a package to fight for a good result.”

    Twenty-two-year-old Jaden Conwright will make his IMSA WeatherTech GTD-class debut at the Six Hour, who began his motorsport career in 2009. After consistently climbing the motorsports later, over a decade later the Californian racer was slated to run in the 2020 Porsche Supercup but was forced to withdraw following international travel restrictions. The setback allowed Conwright to join NTe Sport in the Sebring International Raceway season finale of the Michelin Pilot Challenge, where he qualified fourth and near the front for the majority of his stint.

    “I can’t thank Don, Paul, and everyone from NTe Sport for giving me an opportunity to make my IMSA Weathertech GTD debut,” said Conwright. “It was a pleasure running Sebring last year in the Michelin Pilot Challenge with the team and I’m honored to be able to run with everyone again. Watkins Glen looks like an unbelievable circuit, and I can’t wait to hop into the car for free practice one!”

    The third of four endurance races in WeatherTech’s Michelin Endurance Cup, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen will include all five classes in the sports car racing series. Located just south of Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen, New York, “the Glen,” is a fan and racer favorite. Though the paddock will remain closed to the fans at this time, NTe Sport will provide details for fans at the event to be able to get a hold of team posters. The Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen will take place on Saturday, June 27 at 10:40 AM Eastern, airing live on NBC Sports Gold’s TRACKPASS and tape-delayed on NBCSN from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern. For full event and ticket information, visit imsa.com.

  • Sean Creech Motorsport Evolving IMSA Program

    Sean Creech Motorsport Evolving IMSA Program

    Second in IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup ahead of Sahlen’s Six Hours

    JUPITER, Fla. (11 June 2021) – Sean Creech Motorsport (SCM) today announced that driver Lance Willsey has made the difficult decision to step away from the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, citing personal and business concerns. The SCM team, led by team principal Sean Creech, moved to IMSA WeatherTech competition for the 2021 season, with Willsey sharing the driving duties with four-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner João Barbosa in the LMP3 class.

    Creech’s successful 30-year history reads like a who’s who of sports car racing, with stints competing in Group C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge and IMSA with teams including Dauer Racing, Jim Busby Racing, Mike Colucci Racing, Doran Racing and Extreme Speed Motorsports.

    Building on the program from their Jupiter, Florida shop location, the team moved up from the IMSA Prototype Challenge this season, with Willsey and Barbosa combining on board the No. 33 SCM Exelixis Ligier JS P320.

    Actively pursuing both sponsorship opportunities and fielding inquiries from interested Silver and Bronze-rated drivers, Creech hopes to secure the necessary budget to compete at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen in two weeks. The team is in a strong competitive position, holding second in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, and is focused on building on that with strong outings to finish out the season.

    “We are grateful to Lance for his hard work and dedication as we formed the team late last year,” said Creech. “We are disappointed that he cannot continue but hope that we can find a driver to compete alongside João for the rest of the 2021 season.

    “Our biggest focus right now is to keep the IMSA team going,” said Creech. “We have a great deal of other work going on now in our shop, including an IPC program, as well as restoration and customer testing programs. But IMSA continues to be our primary focus going forward, both for the remainder of this season and looking ahead to 2022. As I said when we joined the WeatherTech series, we’re in this for the long haul so are looking forward to being able to continue moving this part of our program forward.”

    The Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen takes the green flag Sunday, June 27 at 10:40 a.m. Eastern. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold’s TRACKPASS, while international viewers can watch via IMSA.tv. IMSA Radio will also be available at IMSA.com.

  • Chevrolet Introduces Special Edition 2022 Corvette Stingray

    Chevrolet Introduces Special Edition 2022 Corvette Stingray

    To celebrate Corvette C8.R IMSA GTLM 2020 season dominance, Corvette Stingray enters model year 2022 with special edition, plus new exterior color and spoiler options

    DETROIT – Chevrolet took over the Raceway at Belle Isle Park today to celebrate Corvette Racing’s dominant 2020 season by introducing the 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Edition.

    In left-hand drive markets, Chevrolet will release just 1,000 of these distinctively styled Corvettes, which resemble the No. 3 and No. 4 Corvette C8.R race cars. These special edition supercars were designed to commemorate the mid-engine Corvette C8.R’s inaugural season. In 2020, Corvette Racing swept IMSA’s sports car championship series, taking the Manufacturers, Drivers and Team titles.

    Corvette Racing’s Jordan Taylor and Antonio Garcia drove coupe and convertible No. 3 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Editions across Belle Isle’s MacArthur Bridge and onto the track. Teammate Nick Tandy led on track in a Corvette Stingray convertible, the official pace car of the 2021 Detroit Grand Prix. Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner followed the group in the No. 4 Corvette C8.R race car.

    “Racing has been part of the Corvette’s DNA from nearly the beginning,” said Laura Klauser, General Motors Sports Car Program manager. “Both the Corvette Stingray and C8.R have seen tremendous success capitalizing on the benefits of a mid-engine platform – and we’re just getting started.”

    Corvette Racing shined during IMSA’s 2020 sports car championship series, capturing six victories and seven pole positions, and setting the fastest class race laps in six events.

    During the 2020 series, Chevrolet won the GT Manufacturers title – its 13th since 2001. Taylor, Garcia and the No. 3 Corvette C8.R crew won the GTLM Drivers and Team championships.

    The C8.R races on home turf in Detroit for the first time Saturday, June 12. The Chevrolet Sports Car Classic will air live at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

    Chevrolet reveals the 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Edition at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park, alongside Corvette Racing. Closed course. Preproduction model shown. Actual production model may vary. Available late summer 2021 (Richard Prince/Chevrolet Photo).

    IMSA GTLM Championship Edition
    The 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Edition is based on the 3LT trim with Z51 Performance Package. Each car includes Corvette Racing-themed graphics packages. Accelerate Yellow No. 3 editions feature gray graphics and Hypersonic Gray No. 4 editions feature yellow accents.

    Additional exterior content (varies by market):
    • High-wing spoiler in Carbon Flash
    • Yellow brake calipers
    • Black Trident design wheels, with the “Jake” logo on the center caps, and black lug nuts
    • Exterior mirrors in Carbon Flash
    • Black side rockers
    • Splash guards

    Inside, the Special Edition features a Strike Yellow and Sky Cool Gray cabin that mimics the exterior yellow and gray racing theme, with standard GT2 seats (Competition Sport seats are available), along with yellow seat belts and a C8.R Special Edition numbered plaque.

    Each car comes with a custom-fitted indoor car cover rendered to the appearance of the No. 3 or No. 4 Corvette C8.R race car, per each Special Edition’s color and graphic scheme.

    The IMSA GTLM Championship Edition package starts at $6,595. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes tax.

    Corvette for 2022
    In addition to the all-new IMSA GTLM Championship Edition, the 2022 Corvette Stingray lineup features three new exterior colors: Hypersonic Gray, Caffeine and Amplify Orange Tintcoat 1. A new low-profile rear spoiler and the Z51 design front splitter will be offered on non-Z51 models.

    Corvette Stingray’s LT2 6.2L V-8 engine enters 2022 with an upgraded direct injection fuel system, improved engine calibration and an enhanced Active Fuel Management range. It remains rated at 490 horsepower or 495 horsepower, with the available performance exhaust system. Driving through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, a Z51-equipped model is capable of 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds.

    The mid-engine Corvette Stingray is offered in coupe and convertible models in 1LT, 2LT and 3LT trims, with the Z51 Performance Package available on all trims. Magnetic Ride Control is available with or without the Z51 Performance Package. Coupes include a removable roof panel that stores in the rear trunk, and convertibles include a power-retractable hardtop.

    Dual cargo compartments offer a total of 12.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, with a trunk large enough for two sets of golf clubs.

    The 2022 Corvette Stingray visualizer is now live on Chevrolet.com. Dealers will begin taking orders July 1, starting at $62,195, including destination freight charge, for coupe models and $69,695, including DFC, for the convertible. The MSRP excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Bowling Green Assembly will begin model year 2022 production in late third quarter.

    About Chevrolet
    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

  • CORVETTE RACING AT DETROIT: Home, Sweet Home

    CORVETTE RACING AT DETROIT: Home, Sweet Home

    · First race for program on Belle Isle since 2008
    · Two mid-engine Corvette C8.Rs to compete in front of home crowd
    · Corvette brand with victories in GT, Prototypes at Detroit over the years

    DETROIT (June 8, 2021) – For the first time in more than a decade, Corvette Racing will compete in its hometown when the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to Detroit and the Belle Isle street circuit this weekend for the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic.

    Both of the team’s mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8.Rs will compete in the 100-minute race that airs live at 5 p.m. ET Saturday on NBCSN as part of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix weekend. While the GT Le Mans (GTLM) contest in a non-points event, that doesn’t lessen the importance of having Corvette Racing back on Belle Isle.

    For one, Belle Isle will provide an opportunity for the hundreds of Chevrolet production team members – both within the Corvette team and others outside the main program, all of whom contributed in some way to the C8.R and the road-going Corvette Stingray – to see Corvette Racing in-person for the only time in 2021. The reveal of the C8.R nearly 18 months ago was culmination of almost six years of work between all facets of engineers and designers from the Corvette production side and Corvette Racing.

    What resulted was a racecar that won six times during its 2020 debut season and swept the full-season IMSA GTLM championships for Manufacturers, Drivers and Teams. The Corvette C8.R also won the Rolex 24 At Daytona to start the 2021 season.

    Second, it’s Corvette Racing’s first IMSA event since the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March. Competing on Belle Isle will serve as a tune-up for a busy summer schedule that includes four races in a six-week span, plus the 24 Hours of Le Mans in mid-August. It also will be the first time the full-season driver pairings compete together – defending GTLM champions Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette C8.R with Tommy Milner and Nick Tandy in the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette.

    Corvette Racing competed at Belle Isle in 2007 and 2008 with the sixth-generation racing Corvette, which took American Le Mans Series class victories each year. The event date shifted from September to June in 2012, which was in conflict with the 24 Hours of Le Mans – one of the premier events on Corvette Racing’s calendar.

    Two of the four Corvette Racing drivers – Milner and Taylor – have previous experience on Belle Isle. Milner twice raced GT2 cars in the American Le Mans Series, and Taylor is a five-time winner in prototypes at Belle Isle, including three in a Corvette Daytona Prototype.

    Chevrolet on Display at Belle Isle
    In addition to happenings on the racetrack on Belle Isle, fans will have no shortage of things to see and do from Chevrolet. That’s because the Chevrolet Motorsports Display will be full of Chevrolet vehicles that spectators can learn more about throughout the weekend.

    The Chevrolet Motorsports Display opens at 7:30 a.m. from Friday through Sunday in the fan midway. Numerous Chevrolet vehicles and other highlights include:

    • A Corvette Racing C8.R showcar and the No. 16 Paretta Autsport IndyCar
    • Additional Chevrolet products such as the Camaro ZL1, Silverado and Blazer Redline Edition
    • An opportunity to receive a 2021 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix special edition T-shirt

    The Chevrolet Sports Car Classic is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 12. The race will air live on NBCSN and stream on TrackPass via NBC Sports Gold and the NBC Sports App. IMSA Radio will air full qualifying and race coverage at IMSA.com along with Sirius 219, XM 202 and SiriusXM Online 992.

    ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “Even though this isn’t a points race, I’m glad we are back at Belle Isle. It’s the first time for me racing in Detroit. Knowing we are racing with one of the most iconic cars around there is pretty cool. Combining that with fans being back in the grandstands and in the paddock is even better. I’m looking forward to getting back on the racetrack and back to racing after a long period since Sebring. I had a chance to race at Spa, but it still feels like a long time since I’ve raced in the States. It’ll be nice to get back to doing what we are used to doing – being around the fans and seeing them. That’s one of the biggest things.”

    JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “At any racetrack where you’ve had success, you’re excited to go back and enjoy being there. For me, I’ve been with GM for so many years. I won there in 2012 in a Camaro, three times in Corvette Daytona Prototype, and then 2017 in a Cadillac. To be there always in a GM vehicle with the Renaissance Center nearby and all the big bosses coming to the race, it always adds a lot of pressure but always means so much more when the race goes well. You can see those guys in person, and they are so passionate for these programs that it’s awesome to see their excitement. To go back there with the Corvette C8.R after such a strong opening year in 2020 and a strong start in 2021, it’s going to be cool to show them in person what these cars are able to do.”

    TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’m excited to get back in the C8.R again. It’s been a bit of break since Sebring. There has been some testing but there’s nothing like a race weekend. The Detroit event will be a little different for us since it’s a non-points event. We will treat it as a race event but it will be a good warmup with quite a few races coming up. There won’t be much time to take a breath before the end of the season. We’ve missed the atmosphere of having the fans there. For me at least I still feel that’s a missing element. Fundamentally that’s why we go racing – to showcase these amazing Corvette race cars and allow the people to get up close and see how cool they are five feet away. For the fans who have been around sports cars so long to get back the access is pretty special. For us, that’s something that is fun to see.”

    NICK TANDY, NO. 4 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I’ve been to Detroit to visit the Corvette Racing shop. But due to things associated around COVID, I haven’t yet been able to integrate fully into the Chevrolet and Corvette programs. So this is something that I’m looking forward to – meeting some of the team members who have designed and worked on this car and seeing the people of Detroit who want to come and see us. We’re all looking forward to having the paddock open again to show off these cool machines and interact with people. On top of that, it’s my first time at Belle Isle. From a competition standpoint, I’m looking forward to getting onto a brand new circuit. It’s not often that we go to a new track so it’s something that is exciting for me personally.”

    Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

    About Chevrolet
    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

  • Steven Aghakhani and Jacob Eidson Score Podium Finish in Opening Race of IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Season Saturday in Texas

    Steven Aghakhani and Jacob Eidson Score Podium Finish in Opening Race of IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Season Saturday in Texas

    Great Start/Restarts and Perfect Pit Work by US RaceTronics Team Help Aghakhani and Eidson Secure Third-Place Finish Saturday at Circuit of The Americas in No. 6 SADA Systems US RaceTronics Lamborghini Huracán

    AUSTIN, Texas (May 23, 2020) – Steven Aghakhani and Jacob Eidson moved their 2021 IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship bid off to a fast start Saturday at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) with a third-place overall and Pro-class finish in the opening 50-minute race of the season in the No. 6 SADA Systems US RaceTronics (USRT) Lamborghini Huracán.

    The out-of-the-gate podium showing came after a charge from ninth overall on the grid that was fueled by a great race start by Aghakhani, a pair of perfect restarts by both drivers and flawless pit work by the USRT team. 

    Saturday’s race was the first round of the season-opening doubleheader at COTA and Aghakhani pounced from the drop of the green flag, improving four positions on the opening lap.

    “We came out here ready to do what we had to do,” Aghakhani said. “Qualifying was in the pouring rain, we took a gamble on the setup, and unfortunately it didn’t pay off. We started way back in P9, but had some very nice moves, some very good race craft, and all in all it was a very good race. The restart was a fun one for me. We tested a lot at COTA in the off season and practiced for every possible scenario. Race starts, yellow flags, restarts, pushing tires beyond the limit. It showed during the first race. The start was very intense. Same thing with the restart and we made up positions on both. It just goes to show that practice pays off.”

    Aghakhani picked off one more position on the yellow-flag restart before handing the SADA Systems No. 6 Lamborghini off to Eidson less than 15 minutes from the finish.

    Eidson returned to the race in the top five and then pulled off a strong restart of his own to jump from fifth to third just four laps from the finish.

    “You’re only as good as your team,” Eidson said. “We have a great team and we know we have a good car. Race one was great. We started back in P9 and made our way up to P3 which is a victory in our eyes to gain that many positions.”

    Starting Sunday’s second and final 50-minute sprint of the weekend from sixth on the grid, Eidson picked up right where he left off in Saturday’s race. Pulling off another superb start, Eidson moved up to fourth in the charge into Turn 1 on the opening lap, only to be hit by another Pro class competitor two turns later.

    “I started P6 and made my way to P4 coming out of Turn 2, but we had some contact and unfortunately that led to a rear tire puncture,” Eidson said. “In some races, luck is on your side, and other races it’s not. Sunday it happened not to be, but over the course of the season that is all going to even out. We’re just going to have to race hard and race clean and I think we can still win this championship.”

    Aghakhani stepped in to drive the No. 6 one lap after Eidson pitted for the tire change and kept the pressure on to the checkered flag for a sixth-place Pro-class finish.

    “I had about 25 minutes to do whatever the hell I could,” Aghakhani said. “I went out and had an intense battle, but there’s only so much you can do hanging that far back in the field. We were still out there racing, not going out and giving up. I’ve got to thank the sponsors, SADA Systems, and our team, US RaceTronics and everyone that came out here this weekend. It was great fun to be out here, especially on a NASCAR weekend. We’ve got to go to VIR next and get that podium.”

    Next up for Aghakhani and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series is Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2021 championship in another weekend doubleheader schedule of 50-minute races at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), June 4 – 6.

    The COTA weekend will be featured in a 60-minute recap program of all the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America opening round action airing at 2 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 2 on the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). 

    Aghakhani’s Lamborghini racing programs run with the support of several key sponsor partners in 2021. SADA Systems, Inc. is a privately held global leader in providing business and technology consulting services that transform organizations through cloud-based solutions at www.sada.com. Insignia Mortgage focuses on providing flexible portfolio lending options for clients with non-traditional lending needs. Learn more at www.insigniamortgage.com. Magic Laundry Services (MLS) is one of the largest independently owned hospitality linens and dry-cleaning operations in the country, catering primarily to the hospitality industry. Learn more at www.magiclaundryservices.com. TKX Associates specializes in consulting and staff augmentation at www.tkxassociates.com, Shegerian & Associates is a Los Angeles based firm at www.shegerianlaw.com. The Tax & Business Consulting Group is a Los Angeles-based public accounting firm at www.alllp.com. Equeduct provides capital funding solutions for small businesses at www.equeduct.com. O’Gara Coach, at www.ogaracoach, is a luxury and high-performance auto dealer in Beverly Hills, Westlake Village and San Diego. Additional valued partners include Forgiato Wheels at www.forgiato.com, Speed Society at https://speedsociety.com and the Pro Automotive Repair Center in Glendale, California.

  • Idemitsu Lubricants America and Mazda Motorsports Cap Record-Setting Race Weekend with Podium Finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

    Idemitsu Lubricants America and Mazda Motorsports Cap Record-Setting Race Weekend with Podium Finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

    LEXINGTON, Ohio, May 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Under nearly perfect weather conditions at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, the Idemitsu Lubricants America-sponsored No. 55 Mazda Motorsports Mazda RT24-P DPi, driven by Harry Tincknell and Oliver Jarvis, qualified on pole and led the first half of the 122-lap race, before finishing third at the IMSA Acura Sports Car Challenge sprint race Sunday.

    The podium finish capped a weekend that saw Tincknell smash the Mid-Ohio track record for the Daytona Prototype international class cars to qualify number one. Tincknell stormed the 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course in 1 minute, 10.027 seconds (116.080 mph) during qualifying to lower the IMSA DPi track record by almost 0.7 seconds, a record previously held by Mazda and Oliver Jarvis.

    At the drop of the green flag, Tincknell and Jarvis dominated for the first half of the race before relinquishing the lead and fighting hard for the podium finish. “It definitely hurts that the trophy has a number 3 on it,” said Tincknell after the race. “A 15-second lead in the race but the roll of the strategic dice didn’t fall our way this time. Super proud of every member of the team for a fantastic job and turnaround this weekend.”

    The record-setting effort was met with enthusiasm by the Idemitsu support team. “It was a great weekend for Idemitsu and Mazda, setting a track record in qualifying and running strong in the race,” said Mike Park, Senior Director OES and Automotive Aftermarket, Idemitsu Lubricants America. “We have three podium finishes this year and are challenging for every win.”

    The Mazda Motorsports Idemitsu No. 55 team resumes action June 11-12 when the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season continues at the Detroit Grand Prix.

    About Idemitsu and Contact info:

    Idemitsu Lubricants America is the Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) official factory-fill lubricants partner and the bulk oil program supplier for the Genuine Mazda Premium Oil Program, as well as a primary Mazda Motorsports USA sponsor.

    About Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. Founded in 1911, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (IKC) is a Japanese petroleum company and the second-largest refiner and lubricants supplier in Japan. In order to evolve into a resilient business entity, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. will continue to, both domestically and abroad, operate and expand in the following five business segments: Petroleum Products, Basic Chemicals, Functional Materials, Electricity & Renewable Energy, and Resources. The company’s Functional Materials segment covers the production and sale of fuel oil and lubricants.

    About Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation (ILAC) is a premier lubricants manufacturer and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., committed to providing quality, innovation, and service to customers across North America. ILAC offers unmatched production quality, ensuring peak operating performance from a full range of lubricants for the automotive and industrial sectors. Idemitsu Lubricants America Corporation provides environmentally-friendly, cost-effective lubricant solutions that help maximize performance efficiencies and minimize cost.

    About Mazda North American Operations Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees Mazda vehicles’ sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Mazda Motor de Mexico manages operations in Mexico in Mexico City.

  • Winward Racing Secures First Mercedes-AMG GT4 Podium Finish of the IMSA Pilot Challenge Season Saturday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

    Winward Racing Secures First Mercedes-AMG GT4 Podium Finish of the IMSA Pilot Challenge Season Saturday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

    LEXINGTON, Ohio – The first Mercedes-AMG GT4 podium finish of the IMSA Pilot Challenge season was secured by Bryce Ward and Alec Udell in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 to highlight a competitive run of three Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams in the top-10 of Saturday’s Mid-Ohio 120. The No. 57’s third-place finish was backed up by a sixth-place result by the sister No. 4 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 of Russell Ward and Indy Dontje and a 10th place finish by the debuting No. 11 FCP Euro Mercedes-AMG GT4 of Michael Hurczyn and Nate Vincent.

    The podium showing by the No. 57 team and drivers came in the third Michelin Pilot Challenge race of the season and was the second-straight top-three finish at the 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio circuit for the Winward team. Russell Ward and Dontje finished third in the No. 4 last year in the first of two Pilot Challenge races held at Mid-Ohio.

    This year, Bryce Ward and Udell stepped up to secure the podium honors in what was the first race of the season for both drivers and the No. 57 team after skipping the year’s opening rounds in Daytona and Sebring.

    ​Bryce Ward qualified the No. 57 Mercedes-AMG GT4 in 11th place on Friday and put in one of the best drives of his career in the opening stint of

    Saturday’s two-hour race. He passed for several positions on track before pitting to hand the No. 57 off to Udell at the race’s halfway point.

    A great pit stop by the Winward crew put the No. 57 back on track in sixth and Udell took over from there. Keeping the pressure on, Udell took advantage of other competitor’s mistakes and pulled off some key passes of his own to move to third by the checkered flag.

    Russell Ward and Dontje overcame more than one on-track scuffle to charge back to sixth at the finish in the No. 4 Mercedes-AMG GT4.

    Another hard-earned result was secured by Hurczyn, Vincent and the FCP Euro team that were all making their IMSA debuts, and their first race starts in a Mercedes-AMG GT4.

    Saturday’s Pilot Challenge race was followed by the weekend’s featured IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Challenge race on Sunday.

    The No. 28 Alegra Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 team and co-drivers Daniel Morad and Michael de Quesada moved off to a fast start with Morad qualifying third Saturday for Sunday’s two-hour and 40-minute race.

    Morad held third at the race start and eventually moved up to second before pitting to hand the No. 28 off to de Quesada 47 minutes into the race.

    Following quick pit service by the Alegra team, de Quesada cycled back to fourth place after the entire field completed opening stops. De Quesada then held off more than one challenge throughout his nearly 50-minute stint to run in the top five the entire time.

    Unfortunately, de Quesada was hit by a competitor that spun off course moments later, but that didn’t stop him from leading three race laps at the end of his driving shift as the field cycled in for final pit stops.

    Morad returned to the wheel of the No. 28 and soon realized the contact had crimped the exhaust on the Mercedes-AMG GT3. The damage put the car down on power, and Morad spent his final stint running out the laps before crossing the finish line in 10th place.

    Next up for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is a 100-minute sprint at the Detroit Grand Prix, June 11 – 12.

    The WeatherTech Championship will then be rejoined by the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge for back-to-back races at Watkins Glen International later in June and into the first two days of July.

    The traditional Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen takes place June 24 – 27 and will be followed later that week by a new Thursday and Friday two-day event featuring races for both series July 1 – 2.

    Bryce Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4: “It was really awesome. I think we got everything out of the car. We were just hanging tough, the Mercedes-AMG GT4 brakes really well and it corners pretty good too. So, you could stay ahead of competition. Even if they got to you on the main straightaway, you could out-brake them. I had a lot of fun, I really did. For me, it was probably one of my best races that I’ve driven. The karting that Russell and I have been doing, and the work I’ve been doing with Alec, has been amazing and really paid off. I’m really, really stoked. It was a super race, and I really want to thank Russell, our Team Manager Alberto Pena and the whole crew. They really do put it all together. The race is won at the shop. If you can’t get it done there, you can’t get it done here, and they get it done at the shop. I’m really appreciative of what they make happen.”

    Alec Udell, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4: “Bryce did awesome to start the race off and made some passes in his opening stint. He put us in a perfect position, and I think we jumped a few cars in the pit stop as well, so the crew did an amazing job. I’m super happy with that. For me, I got in the car and just put consistent laps down. We are really good in the twisty bits and we are really good on the brakes. I watched a bit of mayhem in front of me. I had a lesson in that here last year and was able to take advantage of the opportunities as they came up at the end of the race. I just kept a clean car and I think that was the key today. We have virtually no damage on the car and that’s hard to say looking at some of the other cars coming out of this race. I’m happy to be able to come in and contribute to the team points, because that’s important as well. For all of us, it’s our first race back this year, our first race of 2021. I had an awesome time, I’m really appreciative for the call up again. We’d rather be on the top step, but it feels like a win today.”

    Nate Vincent, Driver – No. 11 FCP Euro Mercedes-AMG GT4: “We had a top-10 finish, I’m really happy with that, and the car is in one piece. We have just a few things to change on it. We learned a whole lot this weekend. Having that wheel- to-wheel time with all those cars, at a track like Mid-Ohio that’s really technical and really difficult, allowed us to get a feel for the Mercedes-AMG GT4. Not only to get a feel for the car through a stint but to figure out ways overall we can make the car faster. The biggest eye opener is that the level of competition through the field is really solid. Whether you’re battling for first or 10th, everyone is putting the fight in. It makes the racing really good as a driver and it makes the racing really fun to watch as a spectator. Kudos to IMSA for that, we love it. I had some of the best battles I’ve had in a while here, and I’m looking forward to coming back. We’re really excited to go to Watkins Glen next, a track we know really well. I think we will just put our heads down there and do really well.”

    Daniel Morad, Driver – No. 28 Alegra Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It was looking very promising coming into the race. We started on the second row in P3, had a good opening stint and got up to second when the leader had trouble. Everything was looking great for us. Unfortunately, we had a little bit of contact from one of the other drivers out there when Michael was in the car. There was nothing we could really do. We were just in the wrong position at the wrong time and couldn’t make it back to the pits before they closed. We cycled to the back of the line and then just followed the leader, nursing the car with the left side damage and the exhaust nearly closed up all the way from the hit. That put us down on power, down on track position and basically down and out. We’re going to keep our heads up and head to the next one and get a good result.”

  • Jr III Racing Claims First IMSA Prototype Challenge Podium at Mid-Ohio

    Jr III Racing Claims First IMSA Prototype Challenge Podium at Mid-Ohio

    Second place result marks best career IMSA finish for Jr III Racing

    Lexington, Ohio (16 May 2021) – Jr III Racing wrote a new chapter in the team’s history books after finishing second in IMSA Prototype Challenge (IPC) race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday. Mike Skeen and Terry Olson teamed up behind the wheel of the No. 3 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320 for the first time and made the most of their debut outing together with a big result.

    The IPC field qualified on Saturday with Olson laying down a fast lap of 1:18.718-seconds to place the No. 3 Ligier in seventh on the starting grid.

    Set to start the race on Sunday, Olson geared up for his IMSA IPC debut and took the controls for the opening stint of the one hour, 40-minute race. Consistency was key for Olson as he maintained his running position for 32 laps before coming to pit lane for fuel, tires and a driver change.

    Sports car racing veteran Skeen returned to the course before he was called back to pit lane to serve a stop-plus-five penalty for not meeting the fueling time during the first stop. Skeen returned to action in eighth position but quickly recovered the lost track position to move into seventh.

    Skeen began hunting down his competition, laying down a 1:17.179-second lap – the fastest lap of the race on Lap 38. The first and only full-course caution on Lap 57 came at an ideal moment for Jr III Racing as the field slowed behind the safety car ahead of the restart.

    Skeen pounced on the opportunity, moving up two spots on the restart and chasing down the chance to fight for a podium finish.

    By Lap 71, the Jr III Ligier was up to third, as Skeen continued to push and make a clean over-under pass in turn eight to take over second.

    With the white flag in the air, Skeen was now focused on closing the gap to the leader on the 2.258-mile final lap, coming up just 0.4-seconds shy of a victory as he brought the No. 3 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320 across the finish line in a strong second place.

    The podium finish is the first for Jr III Racing in IMSA competition.

    “Jr III Racing prepared a car that is absolutely incredible,” said Olson. “It responded to adjustments quickly and well – even an amateur like myself could drive it fast. It’s an absolute thrill to be in the front seat and then be able to watch Mike (Skeen) do Mike (Skeen) things, it was an incredible weekend. He’s a machine, absolutely a beast. I knew he would be the one to bring us home, so my goal was to keep the car clean, run consistent laps and not lose any positions. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Jr III Racing and an amazing result to cap the weekend.”

    “We had a lot of pace there at the end relative to some of the top five cars and it was a blast battling up to the front,” said Skeen. “I wish the yellow was a couple laps earlier to give us a little bit of a longer run to the end. I can’t thank Jr III Racing and Terry (Olson) enough, we had an awesome weekend together. We had a small miscommunication in the pits that put us back but honestly made the race a lot of fun for me. We had an incredible car and tried to make the most of it up to the very end.”

    Jr III Racing returns to IMSA Prototype Challenge competition at Watkins Glen International for the fourth stop of the 2021 season on July 1-2nd.

  • Rollan Comes Out on Top of Six-Car Battle for Mazda MX-5 Cup Win at Mid-Ohio

    Rollan Comes Out on Top of Six-Car Battle for Mazda MX-5 Cup Win at Mid-Ohio

    LEXINGTON, Ohio (May 15, 2021) – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course never disappoints for close wheel-to-wheel racing and Saturday’s Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires was no exception. Selin Rollan (No. 87 Hixon Motor Sports) was the victor in a six-way battle for the win in an all green-flag 45-minute sprint to the checkered flag. Sam Paley (No. 28 McCumbee McAleer Racing) and Justin Piscitell (No. 89 McCumbee McAleer Racing) completed the podium.

    Now in his fourth season of Mazda MX-5 Cup racing, Rollan has never had much luck at Mid-Ohio. The 2018 Rookie of the Year felt as though his driving style never quite fit the 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course. All that changed when Rollan crossed the finish line 1.552 seconds clear of his nearest competition.

    The front row of the grid represented the top two in the Championship coming into Mid-Ohio: Michael Carter (No. 08 Carter Racing Enterprises) on pole and Gresham Wagner (No. 5 Spark Performance) starting second. Wagner dropped his tires into the dirt in a few corners early in the race, which gave third-starting Paley plenty of opportunities to challenge him for the runner-up spot and enabled Carter to pull out a small gap.

    Soon though, the pack of four cars behind Carter were able to work together and catch the polesitter. When they did, Rollan seized the opportunity to climb up to second and began his bid for the race lead.

    Shortly after, Carter had a momentary issue exiting the keyhole that dropped him down the order down to fifth. Rollan was the new leader but being hounded by Paley who was in search of his first MX-5 Cup victory.

    Paley led for a lap, but Rollan retook control and pulled away from the field to take his third victory of the season.

    “It was good and the car was handling great especially at the end,” Rollan said. “Hixon Motor Sports set up a perfect car. It was really consistent at the end and went where I wanted it to go. I felt bad for [Michael] Carter when he had that problem. I was pushing him and we were trying to get away but then he lost power coming out of the Keyhole. I feel bad for him but on the other hand, for the championship, it’s nice to see podium without Michael [Carter] and Gresham [Wagner] for the points. The car is really good and hopefully we can keep that going in the race tomorrow!”

    Paley, a rookie, has been knocking at the door of victory for some time now. He admitted he needed to work on his tire strategy in order to finally get that elusive win.

    “Honestly, I didn’t feel any pressure when I was in front,” Paley said. “I felt the pressure more when I was behind and trying to catch up honestly. It was the first time I led this season so that was good. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the pace at the end. I had worked my tires pretty hard early in the race.

    “I want to thank BiiND.app for the sponsorship help and to McCumbee McAleer Racing for such a great car. I knew I didn’t have the car at the end, so when I had the chance, I had to take it to make passes. It can be hard to pass here—every inside turns into an outside—you have to go in deep because you are trying to hold the outside when some else is holding the inside and it can go on for more than one corner. I’m happy with the points in the bag. It was a good race and I’m happy to be back on the podium.”

    Piscitell started sixth but showed tremendous race pace. He picked his way through the intense six-way battle for the podium and wrestled the final spot away from Wagner in the closing laps of the race.

    “I’m pretty excited about it,” Piscitell said. “It feels like I’m long overdue. We’ve had a car for the podium multiple times, but we’ve had some issues here and there; some just bad luck, some my fault. I’m super happy to be here and represent Matty’s Light. I went conservative at the start of the race and gapped P6, and I tried to use the draft and not destroy the tires to save up for a hard charge at the end. I think I waited too long to try to charge back through at the end.”

    Wagner eventually crossed the finish line in fourth. He will start on pole for Sunday’s Round Eight race.

    Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) completed the top five. Thomas made contact with the tires in Friday’s practice and had to borrow another car to continue taking part in the weekend. Thomas qualified eighth and was on his own for much of the 45-minute race, but he was able to catch the lead pack just in time to finish fifth.

    Carter finished sixth.

    Luca Mars (No. 41 Copeland Motorsports) won the Hard Charger Award for advancing from 11th to 7th.

    MX-5 Cup drivers will have the opportunity to take what they learned today and apply it to Sunday’s Round Eight race, which starts at a nearly identical time: 11:45am ET. The race will be streamed live on IMSA.com/tvlive and NBC Sports Gold TrackPass.

    About: The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich® Tires is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. Mazda-powered grassroots champions earn a Mazda scholarship to advance their career. The Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup champion earns a $250,000 scholarship.

    Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.