BHA Drivers Welcome Road America Challenge

Road America 120

Round 6 of the 2023 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge

August 5-6, 2023

Racetrack: Road America

4.048-mile road course, features 14 turns

Race: Sunday, August 6th, 2023, at 2:55 – 4:55 pm EST

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:

 

A Win for the Record Books: When Mason Filippi took the checkered flag at Lime Rock Park it was a win for the record books. Recording his second victory of the season with co-driver Mark Wilkins, it was also BHA’s 20th IMSA victory, the 10th for Mark Wilkins and Filippi’s 5th.

Swapping the Lead: Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi (#98) re-took the Championship points lead with their victory at Lime Rock Park. They lead teammates Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens (#33) by 20 points with four races remaining. The BHA entries have been swapping the points lead most of the season.

Grid Life: As the official automotive sponsor of GRIDLIFE, Hyundai will be randomly selecting 8 winners to receive two VIP tickets to the GRIDLIFE event of their choice. GRIDLIFE is a grassroots motorsports event and lifestyle brand that is dedicated to inclusion and focused on having fun in and around cars. They celebrate the full spectrum of car culture, and package it up in a music festival environment. The events feature road racing, time attack, drifting, car shows and concerts. BHA drivers Mason Filippi, Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler will be giving GRIDLIFE Laguna Seca attendees rides in the Elantra N TCR racecars at the event October 20-22, 2023. To enter to win the Hyundai VIP experience, visit: Hyundai N Sweepstakes

Indy Test: All three BHA cars participated in the IMSA test on the road course at the Indianapolis Speedway last weekend. It was the team’s first time running the Elantra N TCR cars there and each car completed over 60 trouble-free laps. According to BHA Technical Director, Kyle Compton, “The test was a success. I think it was probably the hardest our drivers have ever pushed on the brake pedal, because the braking zones at the speedway are straight-line zones, different from other straights we race on. This will probably be our most intense track for braking since the front straight is so long, it absolutely requires the drivers to stomp on brakes.”

Previously at Road America: BHA has seven podium finishes including two victories on the legendary road course. Harry Gottsacker and Mason Filippi scored their first TCR victory there when they won in 2019 co-driving the #21 Veloster N TCR. Gabby Chaves and Ryan Norman followed that up with a victory in 2020. Last year BHA scored a double podium finish when Michael Johnson and Stephen Simpson finished second and Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis third.

#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS

2023 Stats: Best Start: 5th Best Finish: 6th Rank: 7th 1430 pts

Taylor Hagler: “Road America is one of the faster tracks that we go to during the year and I’m hoping that we can continue to improve and challenge for the win. Lime Rock was a step in the right direction, and we just need to continue to execute with our #1 Elantra N TCR. A podium finish is definitely the target and I think we have a good chance in Wisconsin as we have in the past.”
Michael Lewis: “Road America is an incredible track for both driving and also for the fans to view the racing action. With the new pavement on the track, it will be interesting to see how it feels from the cockpit. I’m excited to get going and get more manufacturer points for Hyundai!”

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 3rd Best Finish: 2nd Rank: 2nd 1790 pts

Harry Gottsacker IV: “We are coming off another podium at Lime Rock and a great test at Indianapolis with our Hyundai Elantra N TCR. I really feel like we’ve unlocked some more performance for the last four races of the season and I’m excited for Road America! We always have a big crowd there and it’s home for our family.”
Robert Wickens: “Road America always has a great atmosphere with passionate fans and a legendary venue. It has just been recently resurfaced so it will be a bit of an unknown for all of us this weekend. The #33 car and team are up to the challenge, and we’ll be doing everything we can to try get our first win of the season!”

#98 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 1st Rank: 1st – 1800 pts

Mason Filippi: “Really looking forward to getting to Road America. We had a successful test, and our BHA team has great momentum. Our Hyundai Elantra N TCR car is strong in the corners, and we will work to our strengths. There are many fun parts of Road America, and it will add a new challenge with the repave!”
Mark Wilkins: “It has been a wild month on the racing front and the fun continues this weekend at Road America! After a win at Lime Rock Park and a successful test at IMS, momentum is high and a great deal of excitement is building to try out the freshly resurfaced Road America. This is one of my favorite circuits on the calendar for its combination of fast corners and hard braking zones. Much of what we know about the track may be different so it will present some new challenges and opportunities that will be fun to work through. On track Saturday and looking forward to as much seat time behind the wheel as possible in our Elantra N TCR car. Let’s GO!”

Mason Filippi and Mark Wilkins celebrate their victory at Lime Rock Park with members of the New England and Long Island Hyundai N Club and the Michelin Man at Lime Rock Park on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Leave a Reply