BHA Fast Facts: Round 2: SEBRING

Alan Jay Automotive 120

Round 2 of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

March 13, 2024

Racetrack: Sebring International Raceway

3.74-mile road course, features 17 turns

Race: Friday, March 15, 2024, at 3:15 pm 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:

First to the Front: New to BHA in 2024, the #76 Elantra driven by Preston Brown, Denis Dupont and Nick Looijmens opened the season by earning Brown’s first-ever IMSA podium when they finished second at Daytona in their Hyundai debut. The #76 car carries the WinmaX logo this weekend, a new partner to the #76 team. A pioneer in high peformance brake pads, WinmaX is the Japanese leading domestic brand of high performance brake pads with the longest history in Japan.

Sebring Stats: In six previous starts at Sebring (two races in 2020), BHA has scored two victories and three pole positions. Mark Wilkins and Harry Gottsacker won both races at Sebring as teammates in 2020 while driving the #21 Veloster N TCR. Harry Gottsacker (2020), 2020 Champ Ryan Norman (2020) and Mason Filippi (2022) have all won the pole position at Sebring.

Sebring 2023: There was a controversial finish in the 2023 TCR race at Sebring when the #5 Alfa Romeo passed the #33 Elantra N TCR for the lead as a late race yellow fell. In the end, race officials granted the pass and the Alfa won. It was a solid finish for BHA overall with the #33 of Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens earning their first of 8 second place finishes en-route to the season title and third place for Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi.

HHOW: 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. The Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Childrens Hospital will receive the donation based on laps led this weekend at Sebring. 2024 Season Tally: $1200

Hyundai Drivers Take NYC: Several of Hyundai’s North American racing drivers were challenged at the Hyundai Fitness Camp at Sports Lab in New York City two weeks ago. The drivers were assessed and trained according to varying race conditions to maximize their fitness performance throughout the racing season.

Photos and Quotes Below

Harry Gottsacker: “Sebring is such a unique place that we look forward to every season. Our cars seem to run well there, and we have grabbed some podium finishes as a team there too. We have a lot of work to do to get our championship defense back on track after our struggles in Daytona. Consistency will be the name of the game for our #33 from here on out in 2024!”

Robert Wickens: “We are ready to get our season started in Sebring after a disappointing DNF in Daytona. Last year Harry and I fought for the win until the last laps and ended up P2. The goal is to do one better this year and take home a win.”

Denis Dupont: “Preston and I had a very great start at Daytona, giving ourselves a strong fondation for this season. It’s now important to build on it and harvest some more big points.”

Preston Brown: “Coming off our podium at Datyona, we are confident in the car, and the team and hope to build upon that success. Sebring is a fast track and the IMSA fans that show up for this race weekend are some of the most dedicated ones around, which always makes racing there a pleasure.”

Taylor Hagler: “Sebring is a historic track that challenges you as a driver with the infamous track surface. BHA has had success there before and now, going into our third year with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR, we have a good idea of how we need to prepare the car for this race.”

Bryson Morris: “I’m super excited to get started at Sebring for round 2 of the IMPC Championship! Taylor and I had strong pace at Daytona but unfortunately luck was not on our side. Hopefully we can turn that around and produce a good result in Florida!”

Mason Filippi: “I am really looking forward to round two at Sebring. After a few weeks off, we had Hyundai drivers camp, which really elevated our training and prep for the race. Sebring is bumpy, hot, and packed with battles. With so many TCR cars in the field it is important that we stay on our ‘A’ game. Mark and I are ready to push for a win in our ELANTRA N TCR car. Having the N club of Florida out there to support us always gives us that extra boost we need to push to the front.”

Mark Wilkins: “It was a really good start for Mason and I at Daytona. For Sebring we hope to make it two steps up on the podium! Sebring is always a strong track for our BHA Hyundais and I’m confident that we will perform well there once again. It’s looking like a hot race for us and after our drivers’ camp, I’m feeling strong and ready for the high heat. It’s a long season but we need to be consistent; it’s important that we come out of Sebring with a strong points scoring effort. I’m excited to get back on track and I’m looking forward to the incredible fans that we see at this race every year. The N Club Florida group will be out in ever-growing numbers, and I look forward to catching up with them as well! Let’s Go Racing!”

L-R: BHA drivers Nick Looijmens, Preston Brown and Denis Dupont finish second at Daytona. Race winners Mikey Taylor and Chris Miller center, and Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi finish third. January 26, 2024.