SuperSebring to Host IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
Following Successful Opening Race at Daytona International Speedway
SuperSebring fans need to be ready for a “Two
for Thursday” at this year’s prestigious weekend of sports
car racing at iconic Sebring International Raceway.
Following a morning IMSA Prototype Challenge race, the
IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge takes to the circuit known
for its bumps for a two-hour clash later in the day.
The Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 – typically held on
Friday in years past – moved to Thursday at 3:50 p.m. this
year, allowing for fans to experience a jam-packed weekend
of racing.
From the showroom to the track, the Pilot Challenge is
IMSA’s showcase for the latest in American-made and imported
high-performance sports cars, coupes, hatchbacks
and sedans. This series is home to the same cars seen on
streets and highways around the world.
Racing is divided into two classes – Grand Sport (GS) and
TCR, both of which are globally homologated – competing
on the track at the same time. Cars in the GS categories
can be recognized by the blue Michelin banner across the
top of the windshield, while the corresponding banner on
TCR cars is yellow.
Cars will once again be implementing the leader light system
– which features an LED panel on the side of each car
– to assist help fans in identifying the car’s position in class
as it speeds around the course.
It’ll be important to pay attention to the on-track action as
last year’s race at Sebring proved to be a telling sign of
things to come in the 2019 Grand Sport (GS) class.
Tyler McQuarrie and Jeff Westphal in the No. 39 Carbahn
Motorsports Audi R8 GT4 scored their fi rst Pilot Challenge
victory in GS during the team’s second season in the series.
And while they wouldn’t go on to win the rest of the
season, fi ve additional podium fi nishes in the remaining
eight races led the duo to the championship.
“Something like that where you look back at the season and
all those great moments are what help you win a championship,”
said McQuarrie. “Every single race is so important
because you never know what’s going to happen.
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