Welcome, everybody, to the second event of the 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season as we begin the slate of 2 hour races through the balance of the season, here at the legendary former WW. II. airbase known as Hendricks Field, now Sebring International Raceway. Sebring should provide an indication of who will be at the top of the championship. Cold and rainy on Thursday. Beautiful day today on Thursday for the race as we join NBC Sports and Peacock with Dave Burns, Calvin Fish, and Brian Till in the broadcast booth. Sebring is the litmus test for the rest of the season with a jumbled grid. Auto Technic Racing and the #25 car, with John Capestro Dubets and Bill Auberlen in the Auto Technic Racing BMW M4 GT4.
Sebring is an incredibly physical race tack and always has been. We join Matt Yocum in the pit lane, looking into the #13 McCumbee McAleer Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 with Chad McCumbee and Jenson Altmann. McCumbee is the defending race champion here at Sebring. In TCR, Hannah Newhouse tells us that there was an engine failure for Victor Gonzalez and Karl Wittmer, the #99 VGRT Honda Civic TCR. They are retiring this race car after this one is over. In qualifying, Frank DePew had no brakes and plowed into the fence causing a red flag. The points standings have set the grid. Tom Collingwood has the pole, the Canadian driver in the #83 BGB Motorsports Porsche Cayman. Kenny Murillo, the #72 Murillo Racing Mercedes AMG GT4 on the outside of the front row with Aurora Straus in third in the #58 Crucial Motorsports McLaren Arturia GT4.
We are coming to the green flag and we have it. The race is on here at Sebring! Tom Collingwood and Mkenny Murillo on the front row. Collingwood making his move on Murillo with Jeff Mosing in the second Murillo Racing Mercedes AMG GT4 #56. Colingwood makes the block work as we have a start in TCR. Be patient. Aurora Straus has Hugh Plumb behind in the TGM Racing Aston Martin. Murillo hopes for green flag racing today with few Full Course Yellows. Stay clean. That is the deal. There are a couple of McLaren Arturia's in this race, three in fact.
Collingwood able to keep in touch with Murillo. High Plumb and Moisey Uretsky are moving up as well and so is Austin McCusker. We have three Aston Martin's scrapping early doors. Trouple for the Crucial Motorsports McLaren team in Free Practice. Aurora Straus sharing with Michael de Quesada. This is Aurora Straus' 17th career Michelin Pilot Challenge start has High Plumb is pressing down the Ulmann Straight headed into Sunset Bend at turn 17 which is incredibly bumpy. The Balance of Performance between the McLaren and Aston martin is very close.
Staus hangs pnt fifth but barely and now, Hugh Plumb goes through and makes the pass, a past champion of the series in 2018. We have seen Team TGM changing cars quite often over the years. Tony McIntosh also n the fight as we have a couple of TCR cars off the road! Full Course Yellow. There's at least two or three cars off and with heavy damage! One of those looks like a Hyundai Elantra TCR and the other appears to be one of the Audi RS3 LMS TCR's. Trying to catch the numbers and teams n these cars which are absolutely wrecked going into Kristensen Corner at turn two.
Anthony McIntosh who we referenced earlier, he is aboard the #23 JTR Motorsports Engineering Mercedes AMG GT4 sharing with Jared Thomas. The drivers in the crash are gingerly extracted from their cars but they seem to have gotten out and are walking around under their own steam which is great news. Trying to identify which of these cars have indeed been involved in this crackup. Three cars involved. Gavin Ernstone got sideways, clipped by Nick Loojmans, and then, Jacob Deily had no place to go and, ker-runch! Ernstone was sideways and ran out of road. So, game over for the #15 Rockwell Autosport Development Audi RS3 LMS TCR SEQ. the similar #61 of Road Shagger Racing (also an Audi), and the #74 Deily Motorsports Hyundai Elantra.
#61 is the duo of Gavin Ermstone and Jon Morley. The #15 car for the Rockwell Team was being driven by Nick Loojmans and Denis Dupont, and the #74 Deily Motorsports LLC Hyundai was driven by two Michelin Pilot Challenge veterans in the GS class, Nate Stacy and James Vance. For all three, it is game over. The track cleanup continues. We have an interview coming up with Jon Morley to get his side of the story of how this shemozzle occurred. He started well and things went to plan. He wiggled in turn one over the bumps, tried gathering it up, and made contact with the Rockwell Audi, the #15. Game over for the #61 boys. They planned to sell the car, but it is junk and will have to be rebuilt as the team was hoping to get their new car ready for the next race for Michelin Pilot Challenge at Laguna Seca Raceway in late April.
They are moving to the second-generation Audi as we get cleaned up in this race before we can get back to racing and we have only been on track for 15 minutes. The damage we are seeing to these TCR cars involved in the incident is extensive. The cars continue circulating around this 3.74 mile circuit behind the safety car. Here is a replay of thi incident. In the middle of the pack, a major slide for Ernstone, and Loojmans right to the inside and, ker-runch! Game over for those three. Jacob Deily and Tyler Maxson finished fourth in the race at Daytona.
Sebring 3 and 3/4 miles in the heart of the Florida orange groves. The bumps on the road on this concrete it is like being in a paint shaker. Turn one, vital, and so is turn three (Kristensen corner). The hairpin and turn seven and Sunset Bend at turn 17, these are some of the most difficult corners. Nobody wants to resurface this place. Sacrilege! It would be like paving asphalt over the yard of bricks at Indianapolis. Green flag as Tony McIntosh is squeezing Tom Collingwood and here comes Jeff Mosing, look. Aurora Straus and Hugh Plumb both want a bite of the cherry as well! The farther to the elft you are, the tighter the corner radius.
Collingwood has been thrown off his game with these challenges and more cars have spun in the hairpin! That's the #69 MIA McLaren and the #11 Mercedes AMG GT4 for Wilsports. Bryce Ward, I think, got into the bck of the McLaren and Bryce Ward, too, in the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes AMG GT4 is parked backwards into the wall. So, another yellow flag, another Full Course Yellow for standard yellow flag procedure including pit stops. We are 15 minutes away from making minimum drive time. A top up on gas and new tires may be in order. Bryce Ward had damage to the car in turn eight. He is sharing the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes with Canadian Daniel Morad.
Game over for that squad as this topsy turvy motor race continues. In replay we can see the McLaren facing the wrong way on the track! Scary business! That is the #69 Motorsports In Action McLaren Artura GT4 of Jesse Lazare and Alex Filsinger. Pit lane is open and will anyone take advantage with half an hour on the board? If you elect to pit, you can take one more stop and get home. Hugh Plumb in the lane and so is the Auto Technic BMW. You have to get your drive time in. Auto Technic in the lane and both Turner Motorsports BMW's are in and I think one of the two Mustang GT4's for KohR Motorsports are in the lane.
Bob Michaelian at the wheel of that car. The #47 Nolasport Porsche Cayman is also in. RS1 and Eric Filgueiras are staying out on track, sharing the car with Stevan McAleer. Gary Ferrera in the #11 Wilsports Mercedes AMG GT4 is in the lane for fuel and repairing crash damage. Kris Wilson is his co-driver. In replay, Bryce Ward tagged the McLaren and no, it was not Gary Ferrera's fault. Arrest the speed, closing the gap, and no one is home. ABS is not like a parachute for a dragster. Into the corner you are committed and you cannot escape. Thiago Camilo was a lucky chap to get through the mess unscathed as we see TCR cars headed for the lane for service.
They can go 54 minutes on gas and so with the yellow, they could go on a one stop strategy. Harry Gottsacker told to stay out aboard the #33 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR sharing with Robert Wickens. A few takers for TCR stops. Roy Block in the Alfa Romeo as well as Taylor Hagler in the #1 BHA Hyundai Elantra as well, look. Fuel and tires. Taylor Hagler and Michael Lewis want to win this two-hour race at Sebring. The #37 LA Honda World team are gambling on strategy with both cars. So, the #37, that is the Honda Civic FK7 TCR of Ryan Eversley and Mat Pombo. The sister car #73 has William Tally and Mike LaMarra sharing the driving chores.
36 minutes of the race now complete. So, it is zooming by. We will be halfway home before you know it. We just want to see more green flag racing before this one is in the bag this afternoon. That is for dead sure. This is the sprint event of the weekend as we have two enduro races coming up over the next two days with the 1,000 Miles of Sebring for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 12 Hours of Sebring for the WeatherTech Championship. Here's a program note. Please, do join us for those. You won't want to miss any of the racing action. It is going to be spectacular! We have been seeing some grrat TCR onboards with Hyundai and Audi and with the GS Toyota Supra, the #14 Riley Motorsports car of Thiago Camilo and Alfredo Najri.
Austin McCusker did a top up on fuel. He is driving the #19 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for van der Steur Racing sharing with team boss Rory van der Steur. Ted Giovannis has stayed out without topping up the tank which has an advantage on track position but a disadvantage on fuel. Giovanis sharing with Owen Trinkler in the sister #64 TGM Aston Martin Vantage GT4. Three Mercedes' at the top of the shop. Green flag! Tony McIntosh in the #23, the blue Mercedes, and now, Aurora Straus is pressing Tom Collingwood followed by both Eric Filgueiras and Moisey Uretsky
RS1 Porsche vs. Aston Martin for Accelerating Performance. Uretsky sharing with Michael Cooper. In TCR, Brian Ortiz defends from Harry Gottsacker. Ortiz aboard the #91 van der Steur Racing Hyundai Elantra sharing with Tyler Maxson. Steve Eich in the #89 HART (Honda America Racing Team) Honda Civic, scrapping. There will be a new generation Honda Civic coming which we talked about on the blog months ago. Ortiz has his hands full with Gottsacker as well as Victor Gonzalez, Mat Pombo, and Preston Brown in the #10 Audi RS3 LMS TCR DSG sharing with Eric Rockwell. The #91 team got this car two weeks ago.
Bryan Ortiz is in his first race in TCR after racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo in the past. Whoops! John Capestro Dubets has spun the #25 BMW M4 GT4 in turn one! We shall see if he gets back on the road. Ortiz is changing from rear wheel drive cars to a front wheel drive car. If you are not used to it, you can burn the tires off. John Capestro-Dubets had contact with Frank DePew in the Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R, the #71 car for Rebel Rock Racing sharing with Robin Liddell. Front wheel drive cars are a challenge to drive. The bumps and car placement is so important. It is a challenging place which is why drivers love it.
We have now run for 45 minutes. So, again, this race is going down at a tremendous clip. Two-time winner in TCR in Michelin Pilot Challenge, in 2022, Robert Wickens, is getting set for his driving stint. Oh dear. One of the BMW M4 GT4's goes off and on. That is the #43 car the Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 in the hands of Sean Quinlan and Greg Liefooghe. The Grand Sport cars run single file through the esses on the back part of the course, heading now for the Ulmann straightaway and Sunset Bend. The Ulmann straight named after Alec Ulmann, the entrepreneur who thought it would be a wonderful idea to race sports cars here at Sebring and that dream was realized with the Sam Collier Memorial Race on New Year's Eve of 1950 with the winning car being a Crosley Hotshot of all things.
The Murillo Racing Mercedes is in the game and at least one of the two cars they have, we are seeing on track, car #72. That is Kenny Murillo leading the motor race sharing with Christian Szymczak. The fuel strategy deal is critical, and Murillo just uncorked the best lap of the race, the fastest lap at 2:11.3 trying to eradicate extra pit lane time. Build the gap and be ready for the pit stop and the driver change. Murillo has won in other GT4 divisions but never in Michelin Pilot Challenge. Good battle here between the #13 Jenson Altzman driven Ford Mustang GT4 and the #95 Turner Motorsports BMW M4 GT4 with Robert Megennis at the wheel of it sharing with Cameron Lawrence.
Harry Gottsacker catching Bryan Ortiz hand over fist. Mat Pombo in the pole sitting Honda Civic, who set the new track record in qualifying for pole. He shattered the record for the pole spot. Setting up the TCR cars in a loose fashion seems to work with a lot of these drivers, Pombo included. They are in great shape in terms of fuel and track position. Well, well, well. Do not underestimate the Honda Civic. It will be elbows out too for the VCMG Honda Civic #99 of Victor Gonzalez and Karl Wittmer. Chad McCumbee has to be very proud of this effort with Altzman and of course he and Stevan McAleer co-own this team.
Jenson Altzman is a mild mannered bloke and knows what to do, a sponge on and off the track, benefitting the team, and doing a fabulous job as a driver right now. He has been having a side by side ding dong scrap with Megennis who makes the pass. Robert Megennis gains another spot. In 2015, Chad McCumbee and Stevan McAleer fielded a car in the Mazda MX-5 Cup and they were able to win a 2017 championship in that division. More battles in Grand Sport. Patrick Gallagher, a driver who competed with McCumbee McAleer and won the championship in the Mazda MX-5 Cup in 2015, he is now driving with Turner Motorsports in the WeatherTech Championship.
So, the battles continue all over the track as we see #28 and #23 going at it. Mercedes vs. Porsche. In TCR, the plot doth thicken. Gottsacker is right back on Ortiz's six. If these two make a pig's breakfast out of things, Mat Pombo in the Honda will be right there to pounce as well. We are approaching the halfway mark here at Sebring. What did I say? This race was going to fly by and goodness me, it has done that in spades. 42 cars, two classes, half and half of GS and TCR. Harry Gottsacker continues trying to reel in Bryan Ortiz. He can run the defensive line and Gottsacker has been smart to not force the issue.
You cannot get antsy. Patience is a virtue. You have t give your co-driver a good car, and make decisive moves. Gottsacker making his move on Ortiz. Mat OPombo tries on the inside but Ortiz slams the door in his face. Pombo has more petrol in the tank and could leapfrog the competition while Harry Gottsacker leads this race in the #33 Hyundai Elantra who shared with Mark Wilkins last year. Robert Wickens will get into the car. He is helped into the car of course by his trainer as he does not have use of his legs after a savage IndyCar crash five years ago. Mat Pombo thought about making a pass but was told not to take chances. Discretion the better part of valor.
Ortiz has not made a pit stop yet while Pombo has done so. Car #37 and that team, their second stop is going to be much shorter and that is how they might be able to gain an advantage and leapfrog everyone else. Robert Megennis is applying the pressure to Jeff Mosing halfway through this race. Mosing sharing with Eric Foss. This team won three MPC races in 2022. Robert Megennis is going to have to pit soon too and hand off to Cameron Lawrence I believe. Sebring, a WW. II. training base turned into a track. The drivers want this track to stay as it is. Pombo makes the move after Ortiz gets stymied by a lapped automobile.
Not sure who that lapped car was. Pit stop time for the #33 Hyundai changing over to Robert Wickens. This is a full fuel load they are taking on as well. We've got a Honda in trouble as Steve Eich had contact with a competitor and now, the right rear of that car is cattywampus and it is game over for Eich, Honda America Racing Team, and co-driver Chad Gilsinger. There's smoke in the cockpit too, look. Is that all tire smoke? Strange situation. Is the car on fire? Did he crunch into the #73 car, the L.A. Honda World car of William Tally? In replay, we can ee that Eich moves an Audi off the road and Eich did make contact on driver's left with Pombo.
Chris Miller in the #17 JDC-Miller Motorsports Unitronic Audi had a bird's eye view of all of this. Eich, scrambling around, and he can't see a thing with smoke pouring into the cockpit! Yikes! Pombo went off the road and poor old Eich clipped him as Eric Rockwell takes evasive action. Eich out of the car and this incident puts the cat among the pigeons indeed. Criminy! Just when you thought everything is peachy, the whole race gets turned on it's head. In replay, a big crunch between the Honda and the Audi! Yikes! Have you ever? No, I've never! Pit lane open for GS.
Eric Filgueiras one of the first into the lane. He and Stevan McAleer are firing on all cylinders, taking left side tires. They have won a bucketload of SRO races as well. Kenny Murillo in the lane from the lead, handing the car to Christian Szymczak. Tire changes. Wholesale tire changes. The BMW is in the lead of the motor race it looks like, the Turner Motorsports BMW. Bill Auberlen now at the wheel of the #25 BMW for Auto Technic Racing. The Turner Motorsports BMW's now have Cameron Lawrence in the #95 and the #96 is being shared by Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta.
50 minutes remaining. TCR pit stops underway. Bryan Ortiz followed by Victor Gonzalez. Ortiz handing the car off to Tyler Maxson. Karl Wittmer taking over from Victor Gonzalez in the #99 VCMG Honda. He was opportunistic last year and won this event last year. Can they go back to back today? We're about to find out. Pit stop complete at L.A. Honda World but trouble for the #37 car. Mat Pombo and Ryan Eversley to the garage area with just over 45 minutes remaining in the motor race. Engine? Transmission? Sebring is a car breaker. I wonder what happened to that Honda. I suppose we'll find out in a wee while. The field once again circulating behind the safety car.
The #85 McLaren Arturia GT4 headed for the pit lane. This is the other Crucial Motorsports McLaren in the hands of Eric and Ron Zitza. That is the sister car to Aurora Straus and Michael de Quesada. We continue under yellow flag conditions here at Sebring, trundling 'round behind the safety car. Just under 45 minutes to go now. Cameron Lawrence leading GS and Robert Wickens leading TCR. BMW M4 GT4 and Hyundai Elantra N TCR. Trouble in paradise on pit stops for the #13 McCumbee McAleer Racing Ford Mustang GT4. McCumbee in the car now after a long pit stop. He won the 2015 ST (Street Tuner) championship. Trouble for the father and son team of Eric and Ron Zitza at Crucial Motorsports. There isa brake fire on that McLaren Arturia GT4.
Aye yaye yaye. Game over. Game over as well for the #37 L.A. Honda World Honda Civic. Green flag and the battle resumes. Contact down the front straight between Michael de Quesada and Stevan McAleer! Eric Foos is behind Robby Foley, Christian Szymczak, and Cameron Lawrence. A slide for Lawrence and Szymczak goes to the lead! Robby Foley pushing hard on the cleaner line. Both of them on fresh Michelin Pilot tires. Oh dear, oh dear. To the inside for the left hand corner, and now, McAleer has been shot out of a cannon! Elliott Skeer moving up in the #47 Nolasport Porsche Cayman as well, look.
Spencer Pumpelly now driving the #83 BGB Motorsports Porsche Cayman sharing with Tom Collingwood. Elliott Skeer wants by. Michael de Quesada has his hands full with Bill Auberlen. Auberlen tags Spencer Pumpelly who gets crunched by the #59 Ford Mustang GT4 of Luca Mars! Mars off the road and now, Pumpelly has king size damage and it is game over for the Porsche driver! He was scrambling around trying to set up a pass on Jeff Westphal and Bill Auberlen runs right up the back, and poor old Pumpelly had residual contact with Luca Mars in the #59 Ford Mustang GT4 sharing with Bob Michaelian.
Another accident! Michael de Quesada just plows into the wall in the #58 McLaren Arturia at Sunset Bend! Aurora Straus cannot believe it! The car was plummeting like a stone. He got wide into turn 17 and plowed into the barrier. Another Full Course Yellow. A great stint from Aurora Straus. This will be another short yellow, within 15 minutes of the previous one. The #25 BMW M4 GT4 is stopped on the road as well and must be rescued. So, trouble in paradise again for the Bill Auberlen and John Capestro Dubets Auto Technic Racing BMW M4 GT4. This is the new version, the G82 model. All of the BMW's in Grand Sport are the new model.
In replay, the McLaren just took off, spearing off the road and into the barriers. I wonder if something broke over the bump. The car just speared right off into the barriers. He could have had a cut down left front tire. Game over for Aurora Straus and Michael de Quesada. Heartbreaking indeed. Staus says that she is proud of her team. Free Practice 2 was rained out as well. March is Women's History Month and of course, we have seen many ladies be successful in motor racing. It is inspiring for young girls to find out they are able to go racing. It is a major leap for the sports car racing industry.
Half an hour to go in the race. Allison Altzman, the owner of McCumbee McAleer Motorsports, too, believes how wonderful motor racing is, it is a great idea to see more women in motorsports. Mom's also watching their sons and daughters race. It is great to see women making an impression in the IMSA championships and we have other women in the WeatherTech paddock such as Sheena Monk, Katherine Legge, and Ashton Harrison. Simona de Silvestro and others have been very successful. Taylor Hagler, a champion in TCR, her co-driver Michael Lewis is now driving aboard the #1 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai. Many years ago, women were not allowed in the garage area. But now, everything has changed for the better as both men and women can be and are successful in motor racing. It is Women's History Month, and so that is the purpose of this little feature.
We are under yellow for the fourth time here at Sebring. It seems like Peacock has been all over the board in terms of coverage today. Hanging in there. Michael de Quesada is fine after his accicenet. Christian Szymczak leads the motor race overall and Robert Wickens leads TCR looking for his third TCR victory. Less than 25 minutes remaining. Michael de Quesada, as we said, he likely had suspension breakage. Bryan Herta Autosport and their drivers are going back over to Germany to race a TCR Hyundai Elantra N TCR in the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. The Nurburgring is the ultimate test.
We will have coverage of that event in video form most likely, after it happens. So, back to racing here at Sebring. Szymczak, Foley, Lawrence, the top three. Eric Foss looking inside Stevan McAleer. The Mercedes comes alive quicker than the new BMW M4 does. McAleer really pushing and Eric Foss nearly creams him! That was close! Foley working over Szymczak. You know he wants it with just over 20 minutes to go. Foley right on Szymczak's gearbox. Robin Liddell giving Matt Plumb all he can handle, down the Ulmann straight and now, into Sunset Bend, Foley makes his move and gets the prefrerred line past Szymczak.
Cameron lawrence too, he is really pushing hard! He is fighting for it. Dust flies and Szymczak has a better gear ratio. 3 liter inline six vs. 4-liter V8. Mikey Taylor trying to pass Mark WIlkins. Karl Wittmer, Tim Lewis, Robert Wickens, the top three, all were winners in TCR in 2022. This is scintillating motor racing as it is getting down to money time at Sebring. The pay window is now open ladies and gentlemen. Elliott Skeer passes Eric Foss. Skeer really aggressive on restarts. The Nolasport Porsche Cayman is flying as we see Mikey Taylor pressing Mark Wilkins as we said. Tim Lewis Jr. and Karl Wittmer closing in. Alfa Romeo Giulietta vs. Honda Civic.
The steam is being poured on as Turner Motorsports goes 1-2. Robby Foley leading with Cameron Lawrence in second spot. The top six are covered by a blanket. Foley, Lawrence, McAleer, Skeer, Liddell. Elliott Skeer makes a move passing Stevan McAleer! Skeer is teamed with Adam Adelson and the two of them won GT4 races in SRO in 2022. The Alfa Romeo is some 300 pounds lighter than other TCR cars as Lewis is chasing down Robert Wickens. Tire degradation is not as much of a factor with the lighter Alfa Romeo. Wickens driving with hand controls which are improved once again. Wickens is never satisfied and is always committed to improvement.
That is how it should be with a ace car driver. Wickens is smooth and measured as he is driving. He is a professional indeed having raced DTM touring cars and open wheel cars before. Lewis Jr. in the Alfa Romeo, biding his time. 15 minutes to go. Wickens has confidence in co-driver Harry Gottsacker as well. Can he hold off the #5? Here comes Lewis in the Alfa Romeo! Through turn ten on the outside, that is a hard place to pass. Wickens is defensive but not blocking. Lewis has to go around. Through turn 13, the Tower Turn. Lewis needs to find an advantage and not take extreme risks. Here they come through the esses onto the backstretch.
Wickens using all the road and the runoff area for a late apex through the turn. Lewis looking at the inside at Sunset Bend. He has to choose the spot to make his move. The Hyundai looks good through mid to high-speed corners. In braking zones and off low speed turns, that is where the Alfa Romeo has it's strength. This is a humdinger of a scrap in TCR for the victory this afternoon at Sebring ladies and gents. Great race craft by Wickens. Wow! What does Tim Lewis Jr. have left in the locker? Lewis is 4/10ths of a second down.
Wickens is smooth and measured, braking, accelerating, and turning, all with the steering wheel. Wickens only had about three laps in Free Practice but has confidence in co-driver Harry Gottsacker. Tim Lewis is trying to make his move at turn ten. He is not blocking, Wickens. He is placing the car where he wants it to be. Don't take too much risk. Wickens is keeping it clean. The Hyundai rolls though the apex well in high-speed corners and as we said, the Alfa has the advantage off of the corner if it is out of a low speed one.
Foley, Lawrence, Szymczak, the top three in the overall and in Grand Sport. Nothing has changed at the top of the shop. Lewis Jr. still hassling Wickens for the TCR lead. Don't be abrupt. Be subtle. He delayed his move into turn 13, the Tower Turn. A car off with a local yellow flag marking it. Lewis Jr. cannot get the drive and do the over/under. The #26 BMW of Toby Grahovec is off the road but in a safe spot. That is the Fast Track Racing BMW M4 GT4 he is sharing alongside Garrett Adams. Trouble in TCR! Karl Wittmer in the #99 VCMG Honda is slowing! What on earth has happened there?
The defending TCR winners, in massive trouble! They had to do an engine change and could not even make a qualifying lap! This is the end of the his Honda. Game over. They will get a new car at the next race at Laguna Seca at the end of April. 11 minutes to go. Lewis Jr. makes the pass on Wickens, or does he? These two are still scrapping hard! Yellow flag! Well, well, well. It is indeed, the fifth Full Course Yellow today. Karl Wittmer is still stranded and I believe Toby Grahovec is as well. The stewards have decided to put the motor race under yellow. A smart call. IMSA looking at video to see if Lewis went by. Grahvoec is out of the motor race in that BMW M4 GT4.
KMW TMR Alfa Romeo are wondering if they are in the lead. #99 in turn one, that is a dangerous place to be. A very fast corner indeed. If we go back to green, we might have a two lap dash. Seven minutes to go. What is IMSA's decision on the TCR situation? We'll let you know as soon as hear from the stewards. We are getting down to crunch time as we are in the fifth Full Course Yellow of this motor race. Robby Foley leads the motor race in Grand Sport and Tim Lewis Jr. according to IMSA, is now in the TCR lead. Robert Wickens will be fuming under his helmet no doubt. Wickens has the experience. He will have to time the restart to perfection and throw caution to the wind. Less than five minutes to go.
This will be a cat and mouse game indeed. The pass was underway when the yellow flag was displayed, so the pass counts for Roy Block. Block in the car to the finish I think, rather than Tim Lewis Jr. Tim Lewis taking the car to the end. Excuse me. KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering they have the advantage. Now then, two minutes to go. Robby Foley wants his first win of 2023, being promoted to a BMW factory driver. He has a pack of hungry wolves behind him with Cameron Lawrence, Christian Szymczak, amnd Robin Liddell. How will this race end up? Cinch down those belts one more time. Green flag! About to settle it here at Sebring! Green, white, checker!
Elliott Skeer and Stevan McAleer both going for it and so is Scott Andrews. Liddell has the bravery to pass Szymczak. Szymczak has to give it up. Liddell is going for it and may get Cameron Lawrence. Robby Foley is whistling off into the distance. Andrews pressing Szymczak. You have Skeer, McAleer, and Foss in this lot too. Foley has four car lengths on teammate Cameron lawrence. McAleer pressing Andrews. Skeer coming in for it. Foss off the road as Greg Liefooghe wants to make his move in the #43 BMW M4 GT4 for Steven Cameron Racing.
Here comes Scott Andrews trying to make a move on Christian Szymczak! Szymczak wide and offline, out in the clag. Andrews going to the outside and now, there's an incident in turn 16. Coming to the checkers it will be Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta win Sebring! In TCR it is going to be Tim Lewis Jr. and Roy Block! Szymczak spins right at the end. Cameron Lawrence and Robin Liddell complete the podium in GS while in TCR it is Lewis followed by Wickens and Wilkins!
Overall/Grand Sport: #96 Foley/Barletta Turner Motorsports BMW M4 GT4 (G82)
TCR: #5 Lewis/Block KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Alfa Romeo
Giulietta Veloce TCR
An exciting Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Sebring today! Round three of Michelin Pilot Challenge will be in a couple of months, at another legendary venue, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey, California, coming up in mid-May. Join us there for more thrilling racing action. So long for now, everybody. Stay tuned for more racing action from Sebring. Plenty to come with FIA WEC and IMSA today still, as well as tomorrow and Saturday. Bye bye.
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