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Nine for Nine, BHA Chases Podium Perfection at IMSA Season Finale

Posted on by Katie Brannan
09
Oct

Fox Factory 120

Round 10 of 10 of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

October 9-11, 2024

Racetrack: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

2.54-mile road course features 12 turns

Race: Friday, October 11, 2024, at 12:45pm EST (2- Hour Race)

TV: Live on NBC’s PEACOCK: www.peacock.tv

Listen: Live radio commentary for every session at www.IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com Live timing and scoring from each session available at www.IMSA.com. Live updates are available throughout the weekend on BHA social media and www.bryanhertaautosport.com

 

FAST FACTS:

Five in a Row: Having secured at least one podium finish in every event of the 2024 season, Hyundai heads to Road Atlanta with a 60-point lead over Audi as they have secured their fifth straight manufacturer’s title.

The Championship Picture: The defending TCR Champions, Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens, drivers of the #33 Elantra N TCR are the only drivers mathematically in contention to challenge the #17 Audi JDC Motorsports drivers Chris Miller and Mikey Taylor for the 2024 title at Road Atlanta. The #33 team has a 170-point deficit heading into the series finale, and the series-leading #17 Audi must finish 11th or higher to clinch the title.

New Electronic Hand Controls: Robert Wickens and industry giant BOSCH announced their collaboration, a state-of-the-art electronic hand control system last month prior to IMSA’s previous round on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Bosch hand control system is compatible with all race cars, allowing Wickens to compete in any professional racing series. Wickens, Gottsacker, and his Bryan Herta Autosport team very successfully debuted the new system at Indianapolis when they finished second. Wickens gives a video tour of the system here: https://youtu.be/zTMdwfiB2hk?si=N-_qmiUj_FgmQcJw

Lap Leaders: Bryan Herta Autosport entries have led a total of 268 laps so far in 2024, raising $26, 800 for Hyundai Hope on Wheels (see below).

#98 Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi = 113 laps led

#33 Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens = 87 laps led

#76 Denis Dupont and Preston Brown = 38 laps led

#77 Taylor Hagler and Bryson Morris = 30 laps led

Defending Race Winners: Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi are the defending race winners of the Fox Factory 120. They are also the latest TCR winners as they scored their first victory of the season at Indianapolis.

$30,700k So Far: Hyundai Hope On Wheels has pledged to donate $100 for every lap a Hyundai Elantra N TCR leads during every race of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season. Children’s Hospital of Atlanta will receive the donation based on laps led this weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. 2024 Season Tally: 307 Laps =$30,700 (Daytona: 12, Sebring: 21, Laguna Seca 23, Mid-Ohio 44, Watkins Glen 22, CTMP 35, Road America 29, VIR 54 and 67 at Indy).

Photos and Quotes Below
Top: Team Owner, Bryan Herta (center) celebrates with Mark Wilkins (L) and Mason Filippi (R) after their victory at Indianapolis.

Middle: The BOSCH electronic hand control system in the #33 Elantra N TCR.

Bottom: Robert Wickens and the BOSCH technical team after announcing their collaboration at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 CHAMPIONS

2024 Best Start:1st (Daytona, Sebring, CTMP) 2024 Best Finish: 1st (CTMP) 2024 Rank: 2nd (2600pts)
Harry Gottsacker: “I’m ready to get back at it at Road Atlanta and finish the season strong. We know we are in a must-win situation for the championship, and we are going to be on full attack all weekend. I’m proud of our efforts over the season and especially the victory in Canada. We have bounced back so many times, it’s just shows the drive of the BHA and Hyundai team!”

Robert Wickens: “Although defending our championship looks unlikely, we still have a chance. The only goal is to win the race and see how it all plays out after that. With a strong team effort, we have a good shot at winning the manufacturer championship for Hyundai which is always the first goal of every season. Hopefully, we can lead a lot of laps for HHOW to raise even more money for local hospitals.”

#76 Elantra N TCR

2024 Best Start: 6th (Road America) 2024 Best Finish: 1st (Mid-Ohio)

2024 Rank: 5th (2410pts)
Denis Dupont: “We’re excited to head to Road Atlanta for the final race of our first season with BHA. It’s been a strong year, with four podium finishes, including a win at Mid-Ohio. We’re determined to finish on a high note and know we’re capable of doing so. If we could redo one race, it would be Road America, where we came up just half a lap short on fuel while leading a turning point in our championship fight.”
Preston Brown: “Road Atlanta has always been a special place for me to race. As the last stop on the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge calendar, this is our opportunity to finish strong. Mid-Ohio was probably the most memorable race of the year, not only because we won but because it was a nail-biter for most of the last hour making sure that our strategy would play out successfully– which it did. I agree with Denis that Road America was a huge disappointment and perhaps given another opportunity we would have been able to convert it into a podium. However, overall, it has been a fantastic first season with Bryan Herta Autosport and we are looking forward to continuing racing our Hyundai Elantra N TCR with the team.”

 

#77 Elantra N TCR

2024 Best Start: 4th (Sebring) 2024 Best Finish: 4th (CTMP/Indianapolis)

2024 Rank: 7th (2220pts)
Taylor Hagler: “I’m ready to get back at it at Road Atlanta and finish the season strong. We know we are in a must-win situation for the championship, and we are going to be full attack all weekend. I’m proud of our efforts over the season and especially the victory in Canada. We have bounced back so many times, it’s just shows the drive of the BHA and Hyundai team!”
Bryson Morris: “I am ready for the season finale this weekend at Road Atlanta after a strong race at Indy. We had good pace here last year and it’s where I made my debut with Bryan Herta Autosport. One last chance to get our first podium result of the season.”

#98 Elantra N TCR

2024 Best Start: 2nd (Road America) 2024 Best Finish: 1st (Indianapolis)

2024 Rank: 3rd (2450)
Mason Filippi: “Road Atlanta is one of the our favorite tracks on the schedule. It’s a high-speed handling track, which our Elantra N TCR cars love. We are excited to fight one more round for the championship and push hard for the Hyundai’s fifth straight Manufacturers title. It has been a season with ups and downs, but our #98 crew is ready to race for our second win of the season.”
Mark Wilkins: “Saving the best for last, I’m always excited to get back to Road Atlanta! I love all aspects of this track, and it has been really good for us and our Elantra N TCR in the past. Mason and I had a fantastic race victory at RA to end our season last year! We are carrying a lot of momentum from our recent win at Indy so I’m feeling really positive about our chances to make it two wins in a row. I’m excited to help secure another manufacturers championship for Hyundai and push for as many laps led as possible in support of Hyundai Hope on Wheels! It has been a strong season, but the top step of the podium would be the icing on the cake!”
Katie Brannan

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