Mars, Morris Set New Records In Pilot Challenge Qualifying
Luca Mars and Bryson Morris qualified on the pole in their respective classes for Friday’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge four-hour race, the BMW M Endurance Challenge.
Driving the #28 RS1 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport, Mars broke Paul Holton’s six-year-old course record in Grand Sport (GS) as the young driver from Western Pennsylvania set a best lap of 1:52.117. Mars will share the #28 car with 2021 GS Champion Jan Heylen, as they take over for Trent Hindman and Stevan McAleer.
Morris broke his Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian team-mate Harry Gottsacker’s course record that was set just last year, with a lap of 1:56.457 in his #33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR. Morris will team up with 2019 TCR Champion Mark Wilkins as part of another massive BHA fleet.
Sam Paley was second-fastest in GS aboard his #13 McCumbee McAleer Racing with Aerosport Ford Mustang GT4, with Morgan Burkhard in third driving the #67 CSM Porsche.
In TCR, the aforementioned Gottsacker qualified second in the #98 BHA Hyundai, ahead of Louis-Philippe Montour in the #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR.
Gonzalez wins MX-5 Cup opener after rain showers, Safety Cars
Tyler Gonzalez scored the win in Race 1 of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup opening round, surviving rain showers and safety car interventions to prevail over reigning SCCA Spec Miata National Champion and MX-5 Cup newcomer, Ethan Goulart. Bryce Cornet rounded out the podium in third place.
The race finished under a Safety Car after Christian Hondeland’s car broke down on fire, he was able to walk away safely.
Polesitter Nate Cicero finished down in 30th after making an ill-fated decision to switch to slick tyres early in the race, and could not recover the ground lost.
Defending series champion Gresham Wagner also suffered a mechanical failure while running in a two-car tandem at the front with Gonzalez.
Images © Jake Galstad / IMSA / LAT, Mazda
