In the News

BHA Returns to VIR, Their Most Successful Track

Posted on by Katie Brannan
23
Aug

Virginia is for Racing Lovers GP

Round 8 of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

August 23-24, 2024

Racetrack: VIRginia International Raceway

3.27-mile road course features 17 turns

Race: Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 2:15pm 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:

7/7: BHA has had at least one car finish on the podium in each of the seven races this season, helping Hyundai jump to the lead in the manufacturer’s standings. The BHA Hyundais hold four of the top five positions in the series points standings.

Twists and Turns Lead to Success: Only Sebring International Raceway has as many turns, 17, as VIR and the twist and turns are a solid match for the BHA Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars. BHA has had more success at VIR than any other track, with at least one car finishing on the podium in each attempt since entering IMSA in 2019. Taylor Hagler and Mason Filippi both have a win at VIR, while Mason and Harry Gottsacker lead the pack with four podium finishes each.

#98: Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi had their best overall results of the season at Road America. Filippi qualified second and the pair finished second, strengthening their points position. They sit 70 points outside of the top three.

Love Is In The Air: It’s been a busy two weeks personally for Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker. Mason Filippi is married! Surrounded by teammates, family and friends, Mason married Morgan Hidde in Statesville, North Carolina on August 10. Mark Wilkins served as his Best Man. Harry Gottsacker proposed to his longtime girlfriend Andrea after the race at Road America. She said “yes!”

Lightening in the Throttle: The final episode of “Lightening in the Throttle,” chronicles BHA and Hyundai’s journey to the 102 Running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the IONIQ 5 N. Titled “Race Day” the episode was released yesterday. Watch here: https://youtu.be/y1krCIsHt8A?si=40vy02r7Yj3y5HaF

$18,600k 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. Levine Children’s Hospital will receive the donation based on laps led this weekend at VIR. 2024 Season Tally: 186 Laps =$18,600 (Daytona: 12, Sebring: 21, Laguna Seca 23, Mid-Ohio 44, Watkins Glen 22, CTMP 35 and 29 at Road America).

Photos and Quotes Below

Top: Mark Wilkins (L) and Mason Filippi (R) celebrate their best finish of the year, second at Road America on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

 

Morgan and Mason Filippi celebrate their marriage on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

#33 Elantra N TCR

2023 CHAMPIONS

2024 Best Start:1st (Daytona, Sebring, CTMP) 2024 Best Finish: 1st (CTMP) 2024 Rank: 3rd (1980pts)

Harry Gottsacker: “VIR is a great track, and we are looking to bounce back from disappointment in Road America. We are all hungry to get back to victory lane before the end of the season and keep fighting for the championship. The Elantra N TCR loves the high-speed stuff, so we have had our eyes on this race all season!”

Robert Wickens: “Ready to get back to work! VIR is always a fun challenge! It is a very technical track and the weather always brings an added challenge with the heat and humidity. We are starting the final stretch of the 2024 season and 3 more podiums is the goal at a minimum.”

#76 Elantra N TCR

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

 2024 Rank: 2nd (1990pts)
Denis Dupont: “We’ll do our maximum to regain the strong momentum we have had this summer.

It’s Preston’s home track and favorite place on earth so that should give us some help!”
Preston Brown: “VIR is my home track and it looks like it’s shaping up to be a great weekend conditions-wise. I can’t wait to get in our Hyundai and close the gap to the JDC Audi in the IMPC championship.”

 

#77 Elantra N TCR

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

2024 Rank: 7th (1690pts)
Taylor Hagler:“Hard to believe we are headed to VIR already and to the final three races of the year. VIR is where I scored my first IMSA race win and holds a special place in my career. Bryson (Morris) and I have had good outings at the previous races, and we know that we have what it takes for a podium result. We will put our heads down and execute as we need to in order to fight for a spot on the podium again at VIR this weekend.”
Bryson Morris: “I am ready to go for VIR! Taylor and I showed great pace fighting for a win at Road America, so we see no reason why we can’t do the same in Virginia at this event. We’ve shown good progress so far this year and a podium is on the horizon for us.”

#98 Elantra N TCR

2024 Best Start: 2nd (Road America) 2024 Best Finish: 2nd (Road America)

2024 Rank: 4th (1910)
Mason Filippi: “Coming off of a strong result at Road America, Mark and I are looking forward to continuing the momentum. VIR is one of our favorite tracks and usually brings good challenges to us. Looking forward to pushing our Elantra N TCR machine to the limit!”
Mark Wilkins:  “After a great Road America race we’re ready to carry the momentum forward to VIR this weekend. We had a really strong car there last year and I think it’s one of our strongest tracks of the season. We’re still chasing that first win of the season so we’ll be pushing hard to achieve that while working to extend Hyundai’s lead in the manufacturers championship. Mason did a great job bringing home a podium for us last year so he’ll bring the car to the checkered flag for us this weekend. I’m looking forward to qualifying duties and having some fun in the first stint. Let’s lead more laps for HHOW and bring home some hardware.”
Katie Brannan

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