Super Street Article: Honda Civic Type R TCR vs. the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Daytona International Speedway
Before the Daytona Prototypes and GT cars of the Rolex 24 took to the grid at Daytona International Speedway for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2020 season opener, the Honda Civic Type R TCR made its race debut on the first day of the three-day racing weekend in the Michelin Pilot Cup Challenge.
Honda is supporting a total of three different Civic Type R TCR teams for the 2020 season: LA Honda World, ATL Speedwerks, and HART (Ohio Honda Associates Team). While attending the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, it was packed with two different classes and 51 total entries, and the teams had a lot going on over the weekend.
Behind the Veloster N and RS3 LMS teams, the FK8 squads battled for pace, never quite closing the gap. The No. 73 LA Honda World Racing entry of Mike LaMarra and Mathew Pombo qualified as high as P4 in class, and on race day the duo wheeled their Type R to an eighth-place finish.
"Races like this are a bit of a gut punch," says John Whiteman, Commercial Motorsports Manager for Honda Performance Development (HPD). "Our Honda Civic Type R TCR teams demonstrated plenty of speed and were capable of podium results. Unfortunately, a mechanical issue for HART and multiple cut tires for both LA Honda World and Atlanta Speedwerks made for a disappointing end to our day. We'll get together with our teams and suppliers, work hard, and come back stronger at [round 2] Sebring."
The Civic Type R TCR is an exclusively purpose-built for the track by JAS Motorsports. It features the Civic Type R's 2.0L turbocharged inline 4-clyinder engine, global rollcage homologation by MSA-UK, upgraded brakes and track-tuned suspension.
The Civic Type R TCR is available now to order from HPD to amateur racers and professional drivers alike. It's priced at $172,238 and that does not include shipping, additional or optional spares. For more information, check out this link for a complete online catalog of performance parts.
For the full 2020 IMSA Series Schedule: https://www.imsa.com/.
Part of the HRC program, L.A. Honda World Racing is the official race team of L.A. Honda World, a factory-authorized Honda dealership in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, CA.
For more information about the drivers and team, visit L.A. Honda World Racing on the web at www.lahondaworldracing.com and www.lahondaworld.com.
About L.A. Honda World Racing
L.A. Honda World Racing is an in-house professional racing team based in Southern California and participates in the SRO / TC America racing series exclusively racing touring cars built by HRC. They are also a factory authorized Honda dealer for American Honda Motor Co. www.lahondaworldracing.com
About Honda Racing Corporation US
Honda Racing Corporation US, (HRC), has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers. From pinnacle racing in Formula 1, INDYCAR, and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HRC powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers from age 4 to 40+. HRC leads all of Honda and Acura's high-performance racing programs in North America. HRC specializes in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. HRC offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports 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. For more information, visit hondaracing-us.honda.com
