• After a maiden win at NOLA Motorsports Park during Saturday’s race, Yoshihara is eager to stand on the top step again at Austin’s motorsport playground: Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
• While the pace has been a high point for Dai in the Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCX, two mechanical gremlins through the first two rounds have cost him valuable points.
• Hot ambient temperatures will continue challenging each team throughout the race weekend as the calendar moves into the summer months.

Highs and lows have characterized Dai Yoshihara’s first rounds during his inaugural TC America campaign. But as an experienced competitor, Yoshihara understands that the road to victory in motorsport is rarely smooth. His most recent Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) endeavors are stark reminders of that, but he ultimately turned heartbreak into history-making victory. Certainly, if he could do it then, he could do it now.

BUILDING RAPPORT

Given Yoshihara’s blistering pace in the Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCX, we often have to remind ourselves that he’s had very little seat time in the car overall. Dai admits that he’s trying to make the most out of every session, but believes that he is gelling with the car (and the team) rather well.

HELPFUL EXPERIENCE

Unlike NOLA Motorsports Park, Dai has driven at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) before. That experience, albeit for very different purposes, should still be a valuable data set to reference as he prepares for another race weekend. When asked about the track and his expectations for the weekend Dai said, “My favorite part is the esses. I think our car will be strong in the tight corners. In terms of the weekend, though, I just need to get used to the time zone difference and get a good night of sleep.”

STAY COOL

Calm and collected as ever. Still, Austin brings a familiar challenge to the table — heat. Dai continued, “Sonoma has been [uncharacteristically] the coldest track, but NOLA gave us a preview of the months to come at each of the next rounds. I hope I can handle the heat!”

Indeed, Yoshihara and the Pit+Paddock Civic Type R TCX will have to stay cool as the championship fight moves forward. Round three at the Circuit of the Americas begins on Friday, May 19. Be sure to set your calendars for another exciting weekend ahead!

Thank you to our esteemed partners for supporting Dai Yoshihara’s inaugural campaign in TC America: Pit+Paddock, ARP, ENEOS, ACT, Turn 14 Distribution, Aeromotive, CSF, Fluidampr, MBRP, Powerstop, and Whiteline.

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