Honda Achieves Consecutive Podium Finish At Road America IMSA Challenge 2024

Published: Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 1:51 [IST]

The Montreal Motorsport Group secured their second consecutive podium finish in the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Road America. Dai Yoshihara and Karl Wittmer, driving the #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR, started from pole position and finished third.

Yoshihara achieved his first IMSA pole during qualifying. He led for the initial 40 minutes of the two-hour race, fending off Harry Gottsacker's challenges. The lead was relinquished when a caution flag was raised just as Yoshihara's stint was ending.

A refueling issue during their first pit stop caused a significant delay for the #93 team. Wittmer resumed in eighth place but managed to climb five positions in the final laps due to competitors' fuel and tire issues, securing third place.

The sister car, #6 Honda Civic Type R TCR driven by Jon Brel and LP Montour, qualified 13th but did not start due to damage from contact during qualifying.

The race results for Road America 120 saw the #93 Honda Civic Type R TCR finishing third. Unfortunately, the #6 car did not start due to qualifying damage.

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Karl Wittmer commented on the race strategy challenges: "As a driver, it's really hard to know what's going on [with various race strategies] especially when there's undercuts going on. Plus we were having radio issues, so sometimes it was hard to hear the pit. So, I just put my head down and trusted my team, HRC and JAS for giving us such a good car. It was really good in a long run. We beat the other manufacturers today on our fuel runs and tires."

Driver Insights

Dai Yoshihara reflected on his pole position achievement: "First of all, getting the pole is such a competitive field is just such a great feeling. It really gave me a shot of confidence going into today's race. In the race, I just wanted to keep my position at the front of the field, plus make my fuel number and keep the car in good shape for Karl [Wittmer]. I feel pretty good about my stint today."

The next round of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will take place at VIRginia International Raceway near Danville, VA, on August 24.

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HRC offers ready-to-race Civic Type R TCR cars with unparalleled trackside support from HRC engineers. More information about their touring car programs can be found on their website.

The Montreal Motorsport Group continues to demonstrate strong performance in this season's IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series.