In the News, Michelin Pilot Challenge

Celebrating a Special Cause with a New Look at Indy

Posted on by Katie Brannan
15
Sep

Indianapolis Motor Speedway 240 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

Round 8 of the 2023 IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge

September 15-16, 2023

Racetrack: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

2.439-mile road course, features 14 turns

Race: Saturday, September 16th, 2023, at 4:30 – 8:30 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:

HHOW 25 Years: Hyundai Hope On Wheels® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to finding a cure for childhood cancer. Launched in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels provides grants to eligible institutions nationwide that are pursuing critical research aimed at improving treatments and saving lives. Hyundai Hope On Wheels is one of the largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research in the country. For every new Hyundai vehicle sold, Hyundai and its dealers make a donation to Hyundai Hope On Wheels. In 2023, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has awarded $25 million in research grants, bringing the organization’s lifetime donation total to $225 million.

A New Look and Special Guest: The championship leading #33 Elantra N TCR driven by Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens carries a special livery this weekend. Children’s handprints will be displayed on the No. 33 car’s livery as a tribute to Hyundai Hope On Wheel’s colorful awareness campaign. The handprints are an iconic symbol for Hyundai Hope On Wheels, representing the collective fight against pediatric cancer and hope for a cure. In addition, BHA welcomes a very special team member this weekend. Rainey Clark, the national youth ambassador for Hyundai Hope on Wheels will join the team with her name on the #33 Car. She will also participate in various appearances with Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens throughout the event.

 

$100 Per Hyundai Lap Led: In honor of Hyundai’s Hope On Wheels 25th anniversary, the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Wickens and Gottsacker will be dressed in a special livery for the remaining events of the season. Hyundai Hope On Wheels also will donate $100 to Riley Hospital for Children for every lap led by a Hyundai Elantra TCR during the race on Saturday.

 

Double Down: IMSA has thrown two additional challenges at the IMPC teams in the penultimate race of the 2023 season. We will see the IMSA

Michelin Pilot Challenge compete at night for the first time in Saturday’s race and it’s the second of two four-hour races of the season, and the first since

the season opener at Daytona.

 

Nürburgring Part 2: Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi, good friends and co-drivers of the #98 Elantra N TCR made a pact four years ago to race at Nurbugring together. That pact became a very successful reality last weekend when they finished fourth in the six-hour race, driving an i30 N with Ring Racing.

 

Sweet Indy Memories: Having won the greatest spectacle in racing twice, BHA looks to add to their Indianapolis Motor Speedway accomplishments this weekend with their first win on the road course. BHA won

the 100th Indianapolis 500 with driver Dan Wheldon in 2011 and the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 with Alexandor Rossi. The team is based less

than a mile away in historic Speedway.

 

#1 Hyundai Elantra N TCR

2021 and 2022 Drivers/Team CHAMPIONS

2023 Stats: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 5th Rank: 7th 1920 pts
Taylor Hagler: “This is the race I feel like I’ve been preparing for all year with all of the endurance races I’ve been doing in Europe this summer, so I am really looking forward to this 4-hour challenge. It’s great to be a part of Hyudai’s efforts this weekend and the money they are raising for Riley Children’s Hospital. We have a new teammate this weekend with Rainey Clark, and I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
Michael Lewis: “What a track. There is so much history here at this facility. This race will be a home race for our team as home base is just a few blocks from the speedway itself! I look forward to getting on the track and making it happen with our team members who have been putting in a great effort all season. I can’t wait to get out there!”

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 1st Best Finish: 2nd Rank: 1st 2410 pts
Harry Gottsacker IV: “It’s been such a great season, and it’s only getting better with our new livery for team 33. We plan to raise a lot of money this weekend leading laps in the 33 in honor of Reese Imhoff and Hyundai Hope on Wheels.”
Robert Wickens: “Racing at IMS is always special. The history and the atmosphere is unmatched. We are haeading into a 4-hour race so we need to make sure to run a mistake-free race. We will be running a special livery in honor of HHOW and children’s pediatric cancer awareness month. We hope to lead a lot of laps and raise a lot of money for Riley Childrens Hospital. It’s great to be a part of this initiative by Hyundai.”

#98 Elantra N TCR

2023 Stats: Best Start: 2nd Best Finish: 1st Rank: 3rd 2300 pts
Mason Filippi: “Indy is a special place to race. I can’t wait to tackle the 4-hour with Mark. We just came off a 6-hour race together last weekend at the Nürburgring and raced into the night, so we are warmed up! It is cool to see IMSA bringing night racing into Michelin Pilot Challenge, and I think it will add another element for us to handle. It is Bryan Herta Autosport’s home race, and it is exciting to race at the home of our race winning team and crew who work so hard to keep us at the front. As September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, it is great to see the #33 wrapped in a special Hyundai Hope on Wheels livery and raising money for a special cause.”
Mark Wilkins: “Hyundai and HHOW have done so much in their commitment to #EndChildhoodCancer including awarding $25 million in research grants this year alone. Incredible! The special HHOW livery on the #33 looks amazing and our collective goal between the Hyundai’s will be to lead as many laps as possible in support of Riley Childrens Hospital. Having just come off a successful 6 hour at the Nürburgring, Mason and I are ready to tackle IMS and the challenges that this 4-hour race will bring. We had a good test back in July and feel well prepared to challenge for our third win of the season. We are in the final stretch now so maximizing points will be critical with our main focus squarely on achieving another manufacturers title for Hyundai.”

The No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR is photographed with its new Hyundai Hope On Wheels 25th anniversary livery at Bryan Herta Autosport in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 8, 2023  photo:Walt Kuhn.
Katie Brannan

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