L.A. Honda World Racing, based in Southern California has announced Ryan Eversley and Mat Pombo will debut the JAS built FL5 Honda Civic Type R TCR in this week’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
L.A. Honda World Racing was the first team in the world to take delivery of the new FL5 Honda Civic Type R TCR and chose to test at Sebring International Speedway in February rather than enter it in a race. Since then, the team continued to test the car with JAS and HPD engineers. This Saturday, May 13th, 2023 will be its first competition.
“Anytime in your career where you get to debut a brand-new car is a special moment. I was honoured to handle the driving duties for the IMSA testing debut at Sebring back in February and I’m just as thrilled to be part of its North American race debut at WeatherTech Raceway! I know my teammate Mat is just as anxious as I am to get it out on track. Based on our initial testing and the experience JAS, HPD and now LAHW have put into this program, I’m confident for future success,” said Ryan Eversley.
The new car’s launch also comes with an updated livery designed by Andy Blackmore. Andy has a legacy of designing liveries for many championship winning teams with memorable designs that stand out in the minds of fans.
Mat Pombo said, “The L.A. Honda World team has worked tirelessly on this partnership with JAS and HPD to deliver the FL5 Honda Civic TCR car to the United States. Being the first team to debut it on American soil is a special thing. Obviously, with a new car we are going to have to work out some kinks and figure out how to be competitive. Fortunately, this team has all the right people in the right spots and we feel we are the best team to sort this car and get results. I’m looking forward to getting on track next week at Laguna Seca and seeing how we stack up against the competition.”
Team principal Mario Biundo has been part of this process since its inception and is ready to see it race. “Being the first to own this car is a real privilege. I owe a big thank you to HPD and JAS for choosing our team to be the first delivery and allowing our capable team and drivers to debut the car here in California. I trust Ryan Eversley and Mat Pombo will get it upfront and get this new FL5 Honda Civic Type R TCR the recognition it deserves in the Americas,” says Biundo.
L.A. Honda World drivers Mike LaMarra and Will Tally will take delivery of their new FL5 TCR sometime in June. The championship leaders have enjoyed the current FK7’s results and are willing to be patient for the new car with such a strong start of the season. The LA Honda World Racing program has seen tremendous success from the LaMarra/Tally driver pairing while Eversley/Pombo look to this new car as a fresh start to the season adding to their points through a challenging start after 2 races.
L.A. Honda World Racing is looking for their first championship and believes with the new FL5 Honda Civic Type R TCR that will happen. The team is eagerly awaiting the prospect of being added to the list of champions.
