Pit+Paddock Aims for the Podium at the Road America 120 This Weekend

Photography: George Bucur

  • Road America is a 4.1-mile motorsport road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin that has hosted several notable racing series, including IndyCar, NASCAR, and more.
  • The P2 result at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 has further built momentum for the #93 Pit+Paddock FL5 Civic Type R TCR as the second half of the season continues.
  • The #93 Pit+Paddock FL5 Civic Type R TCR has narrowed the deficit to P4 in the IMPC championship to only 60 points.

Directly overhead, I’ve always thought that Road America’s track layout looked like someone flexing their bicep. Whether intentional or not, this 4.1-mile circuit, which hosts over 500 events annually, demands its drivers to exhibit plenty of strength. Fortunately for us, we have that in spades; our P2 result at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP), proved that the #93 Pit+Paddock FL5 Civic Type R TCR (and its pilots) had plenty of racing spirit.

It was the perfect way to start the second half of the IMPC season. Certainly, nabbing a podium at CTMP, Montreal Motorsport Group’s (MMG) home race, added some extra sweetness to the victory champagne, and this weekend’s bout at Road America will be similar; the course’s final turn is where Turn 14 Distribution, one of the #93 Pit+Paddock FL5 Civic Type R TCR’s sponsors, drew inspiration for its company name. Indeed, the Wisconsin-based circuit can be considered our “spiritual” home race for that reason and our momentum over the last few contests has left us all hungry for the top step.

Road America has been lauded by many drivers and visitors as an incredible spectacle of speed and one of the most challenging road courses in the United States. Like the last few circuits on the IMPC calendar, Road America is fast and flowing, with 150 feet of elevation change across its 14 corners. The lap opens with a sprint toward a fast-flowing turn 1. It’s important to nail the exit after turn 3; it opens up into a straightaway before a downhill braking zone into turn 5. The backside of the circuit is considerably tighter and requires patience—especially through the Carousel—until you’ve made it through the Kink. The lead-up to Canada Corner allows drivers to pick up considerable speed and then it’s just two corners—13 and 14—before there’s an uphill climb to the start/finish line.

FROM THE DRIVERS

Fortunately for us, Dai Yoshihara has shown he’s fast at this track. He shocked the TC America field last year by churning out the fastest Friday practice despite having no previous experience. After an on-track incident forced him to retire from his last outing, Yoshihara is hungry to fight at the front of the IMSA field and score valuable championship points for the team. “It’s good to be back [at Road America],” confessed Yoshihara. “The team has been amazing and has given me and Karl such a great car to drive. I’m so thankful to MMG and all of our sponsors for making this year happen. Let’s get it!” Indeed, Yoshihara’s familiarity with the freshly paved version of Road America will be a valuable asset when push comes to shove.

After driving the #93 Pit+Paddock FL5 Civic Type R TCR across the finish line in P2, Wittmer has turned podium, to party, and now to preparation. As incredible as it felt to show up big in front of his home crowd, Wittmer understands that there are a lot more points to play for in the championship. The consistent points finishes have put the #93 Pit+Paddock FL5 Civic Type R TCR within 60 points of P4 in the IMPC standings. As he and the team often say leading up to race weekends, it’s “eyes on the prize.” Momentum is definitely on our side, so we’re looking to maintain that trajectory as the second half of the season unfolds.

THE GREEN FLAG

The green flag drops at the Road America 120 on Saturday, August 3 from 2:40 PM to 4:45 PM ET with practice on Friday and qualifying preceding the two-hour contest.

Thank you to ARPENEOSTurn 14 DistributionMishimotoWhiteline, and DBA for supporting Pit+Paddock’s inaugural IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign with Montreal Motorsport Group.


OFFICIAL PARTNERS

OFFICIAL PARTNERS