Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCR Secures First IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Win at VIR

Team ENEOS headed to Round 8 of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) full of confidence following two consecutive podiums, thanks to the efforts of ENEOS ambassador Dai Yoshihara and Karl Wittmer, co-drivers of the Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCR.

Calculated strategy and vehicle setup by Montreal Motorsport Group (MMG) were invaluable requirements to take on VIR’s 3.2-mile circuit. Yoshihara qualified a solid P4 against a TCR field packed with front-running Hyundais, then climbed up to P3 before the first double yellow flags came out. Dai kept the Civic Type R TCR in contention during his race-starting stint, but Wittmer would be the one to bring home glory. Wittmer resumed the race in P4 once the green flag waved with 0:48 remaining.

Yoshihara qualified P4, setting the team up for its first win with the Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCR, 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge VIRginia International Raceway

Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCR during practice, 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge VIRginia International Raceway

Another full course caution occurred with 46 minutes left, and when the green flag dropped again, Wittmer found himself in P3, the top five TCR vehicles separated by only 1.2sec. Wittmer narrowed the gap to the front runners as time counted down, moving up to P2 at the 23 minute mark. With 10 minutes left, he was within 0.3sec to the front runner, trading places with them until Wittmer seized P1 with under five minutes of race time left. He pushed the FL5 even further to a 1.5sec lead, which helped sealed MMG’s first victory.

Not only is this the team’s first win of the season, it’s also the first win for Honda, which became the 17th of 18 IMSA manufacturers to earn a 2024 victory, as well as the first win for the Civic FL5 model.

No better feeling than finishing P1, 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge VIRginia International Raceway

“There’s no better feeling than standing on the top step of the podium!” said Yoshihara. “Watching Karl race was the longest 30 minutes. I knew he could pass, but didn’t know when.”

“This was a game of chess; I picked my battles and went for it,” Wittmer explained. “I used tactics I learned from another racer who beat me at a different race. I was pumped to try, and it worked!”

NEXT RACE

Team ENEOS heads to the next Michelin Pilot Challenge round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway from September 19-22.

Photos: courtesy of Pit+Paddock