Michelin Pilot Challenge

Double Podium In Canada, Gottsacker and Wickens Retain Points Lead

Posted on by Katie Brannan
10
Jul

BHA and Hyundai Achieve Double Podium Result at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

· Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker Earn Second Place, Retain Points Lead

· Bryan Herta Autosport Teammates Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi

Complete Podium with Third Place Finish

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 10, 2023 – Hyundai Motor America earned an IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge double podium with two Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) pairings, Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker as well as Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. After qualifying third for Saturday’s Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120, the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR with Canadian-native Wickens and co-driver Gottsacker found themselves in the lead of the TCR class by the halfway point in the two-hour race. However, having made their pitstop earlier than many other front-runners Wickens was forced to save fuel during his stint, allowing the second placed runner to catch up. The Canadian did his best to defend and only after contact on the penultimate lap was he passed. Wickens was forced into a second pitstop at the end of the lap, but still finished in second.

Fellow BHA teammates Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi gained two positions from qualifying to round out the podium at CTMP. With Saturday’s podium, Wickens and Gottsacker now lead the IMPC TCR class drivers’ championship standings, 20 points ahead of Wilkins and Filippi.

Luck wasn’t on the side of the reigning Champions, Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis in Canada. The pair looked to have a promising day before a left-front flat tire issue sent the No. 1 Elantra N TCR laps down to finish eighth after an impressive repair by the crew.

#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS

Started: 6th Finished: 9th Rank: 8th 1190 pts
Taylor Hagler: “We had a fast car out there, it’s a shame we had the issue. Sometimes it feels like we just haven’t been able to catch a break this year. The team is working hard, I’ve been working hard, qualifying is strong and I’m sure we have a podium coming soon.”
Michael Lewis: “It was fun racing with my teammates in Canada. I wish I was battling them for position, but we look forward to the next race at Lime Rock. Taylor and I will keep digging to get more manufaturer points for Hyundai.”

#33 Elantra N TCR

Started: 3rd Finished: 2nd Rank: 1st – 1470 pts
Harry Gottsacker IV: “All iin all it was definitely a great weekend for the #33 Elantra N TCR team. It was definitely a bummer we didn’t get that top stop, Robert and I are trying hard to get our first win together, but we know it is coming and this is a points game. We leave the points leader with our third 2nd place finish of the year, that feels good.”
Robert Wickens: “Another p.2 for us and I can’t deny, this one stung. We led for over and hour and had to settle for second. I’m proud of our group for putting in a lot of hard work. We keep coming up a little short, but we are right there! Ours will come soon. Harry game me the car in great position again, so I couldn’t ask for more. We are going to try again at Lime Rock, but I like how the #33 Elantra N TCR is performing at the moment. It was great to see so many familiar faces and feel the support of the Canadians at CTMP!”

#98 Elantra N TCR

Started: 5th Finished: 3rd Rank: 2nd 1450 pts
Mason Filippi: “Definitely a solid points day. Our BHA Hyundai Elantra N TCR was really good out there. It was definitely a tough battle out there and then rain at the end. Mark absolutely killed his stint. We ran in the top-three all day and I can’t wait for Lime Rock Park in two weeks. We’ll stay consistent with these podiums and keep it going.”
Mark Wilkins: “Overall, it was a win for us today. We had a rought day yesterday and didn’t get much track time so when I jumped in today for the race, those were pretty much my first laps. Compared to some of the cars, I think we struggled a little bit pace-wise. For the points game though, we’re on it…that was our fourth podium of the year and we’re staying focused on maximizing opportunities for the championship.”
L-R: Second place finishers Robert Wickens and Harry Gottsacker, race winners Mikey Taylor and Chris Miller and third place finishers Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi at the Canadian Tire 120 at Canadia Tire Motorsports Park 120 on July 8, 2023.
Katie Brannan

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