FAST FACTS:

 

A Look Back: Bryan Herta Autosport earned their first TCR victory when co-drivers Mark Wilkins and Michael Lewis won in the Hyundai Veloster N TCR at Mid Ohio in 2019. BHA has three victories five years, with additional victories in 2021 and Harry Gottsacker's victory alongside Parker Chase in 2022.

 

World TCR/Double Duty: Harry Gottsacker and Mark Wilkins will pull double duty this weekend at Mid Ohio as they make their series debut in the World TCR. Competing in both rounds at Mid Ohio, Gottsacker will drive the #38 Elantra N TCR and Wilkins, the #98 Elantra N TCR.

 

Nürburgring 24 TCR VICTORY: Less than a week ago BHA drivers Bryson Morris, Harry Gottsacker, Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi won the Nürburgring 24 Hour in the TCR class, racing the Hyundai Team Americas #831 Elantra N TCR on the famed Nordschleife circuit.

 

BHA Rookie, Bryson Morris won the pole position for the North American squad.

 

Rob's Remarkable Return: At Mid Ohio on May 4, 2021, Robert Wickens drove a race car using hand controls for the first time in a private test orchestrated by Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai. Since that test, Wickens has won a series title, and became the first paralyzed racer to win a professional car racing championship in North America using hand controls, and it took him just 20 races. Wickens' return to racing since his IndyCar accident has been nothing short of stellar. He has a 79% podium rate, with two victories and 11 podiums in 23 races.

 

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 Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital of Columbus will receive the donation based on laps led this weekend at Laguna Seca. 2024 Season Tally: $5800 (Daytona: $1200, Sebring: $2100, Laguna Seca $2300).

 

Lightning In the Throttle: Hyundai recently unveiled its IONIQ 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec variant for the upcoming The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and shared its collaboration plans with Gran Turismo, the popular sim-racing video game franchise made for PlayStation consoles. Hyundai has produced a webisode series chronicling the Pike Peak project. The BHA crew and Pikes Peak drivers recently tested on America's Mountain for the first time in preparation for the 102nd running of the Hill Climb on June 23rd.

 

The second episode of Lightning in the Throttle, featuring Hyundai's quest to conquer Pikes Peak Hill Climb with the Ioniq 5 N was released this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12HdX07aM2c&t=43s&pp=ygUhaHl1bmRhaSBsaWdodG5pbmcgaW4gdGhlIHRocm90dGxl

 

The Bryan Herta Autosport crew push the Hyundai Team Americas Elantra N TCR to the grid at the ADAC Nürburgring 24 where the #831 Elantra N TCR started from the pole position and went on to claim the TCR victory.

 

2023 CHAMPIONS

2024 Best Start:1st 2024 Best Finish: 3rd (Sebring) 2024 Rank: 4th (790pts)

 

Harry Gottsacker: "We’re coming off a podium at Laguna Seca and really want to keep pushing forward to get at the front of the field and keep building up points. We know the Elantra N TCR shines on the technical layout at Mid Ohio so we are going to be pushing hard all weekend. The length of the race will allow our BHA crew to shine on pit lane and the timing stand. They have had a busy few months between IMSA and Nürburgring the and it would be nice to grab them a win in IMSA." 

 

Robert Wickens: "Everyone will be riding a high after an amazing Nürburgring 24h class win with Harry, Mark Mason and Bryson! Personally. I'm really looking foward to getting back Mid Ohio. The track is always a blast and the fans bring an exciting atmosphere regardless of the condition outside. They have resurfaced the whole track over the season, so it will bring new challenges for everyone. I have no doubt we can get our Elantra N TCR adapted to the new surface quickly and challenge for our first win of the season!"

 

2024 Best Start: 13th 2024 Best Finish: 2nd (Daytona) 2024 Rank: 3rd (830pts)

 

Denis Dupont: "I’m excited to come back at mid Ohio. Preston and I tested last week with our Hyundai Elantra N TCR. We hope that we’ll be able to use what we learnt to fight for a podium this weekend."

 

Preston Brown: "I agree with Denis. Mid Ohio is a special track with some very technical sections that make it highly enjoyable to drive. I'm looking forward to this longer race in our Hyundai!"

 

2024 Best Start: 4th 2024 Best Finish: 8th 2024 Rank: 8th (670pts)

 

Taylor Hagler: "Mid-Ohio is a special place for me and my career and I am looking forward to racing there again. It’s a classic, old school track that as a driver is exciting to drive. We will have four hours to put together a strong strategy and race in the No. 77 Hyundai Elantra N TCR."

 

Bryson Morris: "I can’t wait to get back into the Hyundai Elantra N TCR at Mid Ohio off of our win at the Nürburgring 24 Hour! Hopefully we can carry that momentum into this unusual 4-hour race and bring home a solid result!"

 

2024 Best Start: 4th 2024 Best Finish: 3rd (Daytona) 2024 Rank: 2nd (870)

 

Mason Filippi: "Still savoring our Hyundai victory at the Nürburgring 24! I am really happy we have a 4 hour this weekend, looking forward to another endurance race, our Hyundai Elantra N TCR's do well over the long races. Ready to get our first IMSA win of 2024 to back up our three from last year. It will be cool to see our Hyundai teammates from overseas battle it out in the WTCR race here at Mid Ohio."

 

Mark Wilkins: “It has been a few years since we’ve raced at Mid Ohio, but we will more than make up for that this weekend! After a great result at the Nürburgring this past weekend and a strong podium result at Laguna Seca in May I’m feeling confident that we can carry the momentum to Ohio and go for another strong finish. We’re chasing that first win of the season in IMSA competition, and we’ll keep pushing to achieve that goal. First road trip of the season! I’m excited for the drive and can’t wait to get on track Friday morning!” 

 

 

Founded in 2009, Bryan Herta Autosport has grown from a single car Indy-Lights team into a multi-championship winning auto racing franchise. Led by IndyCar and Sports Car star Bryan Herta, Bryan Herta Autosport has won races in every discipline they have entered, including Indy Lights, Indy Car, Global Rallycross, and championship titles in Pirelli World Challenge and IMSA. BHA rose to prominence after winning the 2011 Indianapolis 500 in what was the final race of the Centennial Era, a celebration of 100 years of racing at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with driver Dan Wheldon. Five years later, BHA partnered with Andretti Autosport, and defied the odds again, winning their second Indianapolis 500 with rookie driver Alexander Rossi. In 2018, BHA entered the American Sports Car scene beginning its immensely successful partnership with Hyundai. Together, BHA and Hyundai have won five consecutive team and driver championships, and four consecutive (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) manufacturer's titles in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge. For more information, visit: www.BryanHertaAutosport.com.

 

BHA/Hyundai Customer Support: Bryan Herta Autosport is the U.S. sales agent and part support representative of Hyundai TCR race cars for customer teams. The BHA/Hyundai Customer Support Team offers trackside engineering support, setup and tuning advice, and part and order fulfillments for the Hyundai Veloster N TCR and TCA teams and drivers from the BHA’s headquarters in Speedway, IN. in 2024, there are five BHA Customer Support Teams racing Elantra N TCR cars in Canada, The USA and in Mexico.

 

 

Hyundai Motor America focuses on ‘Progress for Humanity’ and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

 

Toronto, Ontario - Anthony Martella, a 15-year-old racing prodigy, has secured a full-season entry in the Sports Car Championship Canada (SCCC) presented by Michelin, with the Martella Motorsports team following a remarkable debut at the Victoria Day SpeedFest at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP). Martella made history as the youngest SCCC driver to not only start a race but also finish on the podium. 2024 will mark a very busy season for the young racer as he still intends to compete in the open-wheel USF Junior championship in the USA and the USF 2000 races at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.

 

When asked about the season ahead, Anthony Martella said, "I'm very excited and grateful to be competing in the Sports Car Championship Canada presented by Michelin. I'd like to thank my parents, NIN transport, and VPS for giving me the opportunity to run in the SCCC championship while also running my USF Junior schedule in 2024," said the 15-year-old of the announcement. "I am really looking forward to, not only racing the car, but to also share the Martella Motorsports car with Marco Cirone as he will pilot the car in Toronto. Can't wait to get back on track for round 2 at Calabogie Motorsports Park in June!"

 

The Martella Motorsports team will also welcome back experienced veteran IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup driver, Marco Cirone, to pilot the Audi RS3 LMS TCR at the Ontario Honda Dealer's Indy Toronto event in July. Championship points are credited to the car number in the SCCC, allowing the #95 Martella Motorsports Audi to remain a strong contender for the overall championship with both drivers contributing.

 

As a proud friend and supporter of the Martella family, Cirone said, "I am extremely excited to once again be a part of the Martella racing family and to share the SCCC season with my new favourite racing driver, Anthony Martella. Words can't describe how proud I am of Anthony and his achievements in karting, open wheel and just recently his first race with the Audi TCR, where he easily put himself on the podium!" Cirone continued, "Together we are working on several scenarios to help him get into sports car endurance racing, which includes GT4 and GT3 Carrera Cup. For now though, we will share the Audi RS3 LMS TCR Gen2 for the entire 2024 season." 

 

He went on to say, "I would like to thank Chris Bye and the FEL team as well as our team owner Tony for giving me the opportunity to once again represent Martella Motorsports and for the chance to mentor and co-drive with his son Anthony."

 

Team Owner and father of Anthony, Tony Martella said, "I am super excited to announce that Martella Motorsports will be running the full session in the FEL Motorsports Sports Car Championship Canada! It is hard to describe how I feel to have my son take the seat in our Audi RS3 LMS TCR. I am also very excited to announce that Marco Cirone will be returning this year to be running in Toronto as Anthony will be running in the USF 2000 series that weekend. This will be one of the biggest years yet for Martella Motorsports," Tony exclaimed.

 

The SCCC presented by Michelin will return to action on June 21-23 at Calabogie Motorsports Park. For more information on Anthony Martella and his racing journey, follow him on Instagram @anthonymartella_.

 

Anthony Martella is a 15-year-old racing prodigy hailing from Canada. With a background in karting and a passion for motorsports, Martella is making waves in the racing world with his exceptional talent and promising performances on the track. Currently competing in USF Junior and USF 2000 series with Exclusive Autosports, Martella is set to make his debut in the FEL Series with Martella Motorsports in the Audi LMS TCR Gen2. Follow his journey on social media @anthonymartella__ or @martellamotorsports.

 

FEL Motorsports grew out of a deep base of automotive roots from FEL Automotive Learning and Promotion. FEL, the parent company of FEL Motorsports, has over three decades of experience in the automotive event industry working within Canada and the U.S by combining the expertise gained from working with luxury automotive brands with some of Canada’s most experienced motorsport personnel, FEL Motorsports executes premium race event weekends at tracks in Ontario and Quebec. FEL Motorsports is focused on growth and sustainability in the Canadian Motorsports landscape by giving back to its teams through prizing and prize money.

 

For further information on FEL Motorsports visit felmotorsports.com

Jonathan Woolridge is ready to conquer Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the #38 Performance Tech Motorsports LMP3 this coming weekend (June 7-9 2024). It's the 3rd round of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and Woolridge is all set to speed back to the top of the podium!

 

Mid-Ohio is a comprehensive motorsports facility in Lexington Ohio that is referred to as “Most Competitive in the U.S” due to its natural terrain and history of intense, and close knit racing! Woolridge has put in many practice hours at HIP Motorsports Racing Simulator Facility and is looking forward to tackling the famed road course.

 

JW’s Weekend Schedule

 

“It’s been a long break and I think we are all looking forward to getting back to racing! I am excited to see the team’s hard work on the #38 car come together this weekend. Mid-Ohio is historically proven to have pretty tight action for the fans, and I definitely think this will be the case between us and the GSX field. Performance Tech Motorsports has had great success at Mid-Ohio, so I'm excited to continue that streak of success for them this weekend.”

 

I want to thank everyone who has helped ensure we get to race at Mid-Ohio this weekend. I appreciate the time and effort that has been put into helping me achieve success in my career. The support has truly been amazing and I am proud to have this opportunity at Mid-Ohio.

 

Samantha Tan Racing has moved to the top of the Pro/Am Teams’ standings in this year’s GT World Challenge America after a successful weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, one headlined by two Pro/Am class wins.

 

A strategic masterclass in race one, plus a fighting drive in race two, was rewarded with a pair of Pro/Am class wins and two overall podiums for Samantha Tan and Neil Verhagen, who continue their fruitful partnership aboard the #38 BMW M4 GT3 in 2024.

 

The two category wins – the fifth and sixth consecutive Pro/Am podiums for ST Racing so far this season – mean the Canadian team has now moved 18 points clear in the title chase as the season approaches half-distance.

 

Samantha Tan, team co-owner / driver (#38): “Back to back wins at COTA! I qualified P3 and Neil qualified on overall pole this weekend, and we were able to push for a win in both races. I am filled with such immense pride for my team, our crew gave us an amazing car and executed flawless pitstops, allowing Neil and I to fight for the overall lead on both Saturday and Sunday. It was incredibly hot and humid this weekend, so it wasn’t easy by any means! I am beyond grateful for the continued guidance & trust from my teammate and the support from BMW Motorsport, my coach and engineers, and look forward to building on the momentum through the rest of the season!”

 

Kenneth Tan, team co-owner: “The asphalt was hot and the team were on fire all weekend and I am not talking about the weather, which was super hot. The team came together and swept the Pro-Am class for the first time in our short history. We continued to struggle in getting Car 28 in the zone during the first race but turned things positively around by race 2. Still more adjustments needed but I am confident we are on the up and up there. Very proud of the whole crew and drivers for all their hard work and successful weekend. We will continue to strive for that perfect weekend when both cars sweep the Pro and Pro-Am classes. It’s a reachable goal and we will continue to work hard towards it. Now we have some time to recuperate and prep the cars for a challenging second half of the season. See you at VIR!”

 

For the first time this season, and in a meaningful nod to her heritage, Samantha proudly bore her Chinese name on the #38 BMW this weekend.

 

An impressive qualifying session hinted at a successful weekend to come for the #38: Neil took a second outright pole of the season in Q2, while Samantha was the fastest of any ‘Am’ driver in Q1, banking 3rd in-class and 6th on the overall grid.

 

BMW legend Bill Auberlen meanwhile, competing with up-and-coming GT star Varun Choksey, similarly demonstrated the M4 GT3’s pace at COTA by qualifying 4th overall and 2nd in the ‘Pro’ class for race one in the sister #28 BMW. Despite niggling setup issues hampering his progress, Varun was still able to qualify 4th in-class for race two on his maiden GT3 run at COTA.

 

Managing to avoid a collision ahead of them at turn one, astute driving from BMW M Motorsport brand ambassadors Bill Auberlen and Samantha Tan meant the #28 and #38 BMWs were already up to 2nd and 3rd overall, and 1st and 2nd in their respective classes, by the end of the first lap. Fittingly, the Samantha Tan Racing BMWs ran in formation for much of race one’s opening half.

 

Having been given track position by the sister #28, Samantha completed a controlled, 51-minute stint in 3rd place overall heading into the mid-race mandatory pit stop. Back on-track, typically assertive overtakes from Neil Verhagen, now at the wheel, meant the #38 M4 was soon up to 2nd overall and, crucially, into the ‘Pro/Am’ class top spot. Though the overall lead was within striking distance, both Neil and ST Racing’s experienced engineers opted instead for a conservative approach for the remainder of the race to bank its second class win of the season. A result that moved Samantha Tan Racing to the top of the Pro-Am Teams’ standings.

 

A loose rear diffuser meanwhile (dislodged, it’s suspected, during the opening lap melee), meant a class podium for the #28 BMW was notably hard-earned: though “not terrible,” the disrupted downforce caused by the loose diffuser meant Bill and teammate Varun Choksey were left taming an ill-handling GT3 throughout the 90-minute race, despite ST Racing’s mechanics’ attempts to resolve the problem during an extended pit stop. Varun in particular impressed with a prolonged and staunch defense against championship rival Wright Motorsports: several times, the American team appeared to have the move done down COTA’s back straight, only for the wounded BMW to fight back.

 

Though unable to hold off his on-track rival, despite a valiant effort, a maturing Varun later allowed a three-way fight for 4th in the Pro/Am places through as well in the closing stages. While this ultimately dropped the #28 BMW from a deserved 6th overall to 9th, crucially, this decision allowed Varun to retain 3rd in the ‘Pro’ class all the way to the chequered flag.

 

Despite being jumped on the opening lap, the experienced Neil, now running 2nd, opted to preserve his tyres during his 50-minute stint, whilst also keeping the leading Turner Motorsport BMW well in-sight. Indeed, the gap between 1st and 2nd was less than 1.5 seconds when both M4s hit pitroad, on the same lap, at half-distance. Exceptional pitwork by ST Racing’s mechanics meant the already slim gap was down to just half a second when Samantha started the final stint of the weekend.

 

All over the back of the Turner Motorsport BMW, Samantha was finally able to open the door down the inside of turn 17 with 32 minutes left to run.

 

Rather than lose time against a charging ‘Pro’ field and potentially put a second consecutive Pro/Am class win in jeopardy, Samantha eventually brought the BMW home 3rd overall. Even so, a fighting drive and time at the very front of the field – on merit! – more than proved the potential of ST Racing’s package for 2024.

 

A frustrating weekend for the #28 BMW was similarly rewarded with 3rd in-class, and 7th outright, from 12th on the grid. Aware that his closest ‘Pro’ rival had been handed a three-second penalty post-race, the wily Bill pulled to within just a few car lengths in the closing stages, and even made a move for position on the final lap!

 

Neil Verhagen, driver (#38): “First time for me being at Circuit of the Americas and it definitely did not disappoint! I have to give all the thanks to the STR boys and girls that made this possible. They put in so much hard work and effort during the whole weekend, even in the extreme heat and humidity. To walk away with Pole position for Sunday’s race and race wins on Saturday and Sunday is unbelievable! We definitely maximized everything we had this weekend. I’m excited to be back in the car at VIR with the team in July!”

 

Varun Choksey, driver (#28): “COTA was a difficult weekend for the 28 car. We struggled to find the balance of the car before qualifying and we lacked the pace of our rivals throughout the weekend. Despite that, we were still able to learn about the car and earn more points which keep us in the hunt for the championship at the end of the season. That’s always the most important thing. Congrats to our sister car on dominating the weekend and thanks to the whole team for their continued effort and support.”

 

Bill Auberlehen, driver (#28): “So far this year we have done 6 races and finished on the podium 6 times. In any other year this would be an insane accomplishment, but because this year we are currently second in the championship with such great finishes it’s actually a hard one to swallow. Now after Cota we have some time off to tear our BMW M4 GT3 apart and hopefully find that extra little bit of speed we are missing and come back and stand on the top step of the podium!! I need to thank my teammate Varun, my guys and girls at STR and BMW for giving us such a great car. Next step will be the top step!”

 

After a well-earned summer break, Samantha Tan Racing will be back in action on 19-21 July for round four of this year’s GT World Challenge America at the Virginia International Raceway.