From the Paddocks to the Pits - L.A. Honda World Powers Honda Racing at Laguna Seca
L.A. Honda World takes massive pride in our status as the ONLY factory-authorized Honda dealership with our own official race team.
On September 12th through 14th, our dealership traveled to Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, CA to watch AND participate in the second-to-last race in the 2019 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
We had three of our Honda Civic Type R TCR race cars participating in the race. The blue #37, which stands in 2nd place for the season, was piloted by Tom O’Gorman and Shelby Blackstock. The Red #73 was piloted by Mike LaMarra and Mat Pombo. The yellow #52 was piloted by Colin Mullan and Harry Cheung.
Not only did our team observe the race and watch the meetings, we were able to get involved from the paddock to the pits and work on the cars!
On Friday, September 13th, Practice 1 and 2 took place. The practices allowed the racers to familiarize with how the vehicles behave on the tarmac of Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca and identify potential issues. Our L.A. Honda World team were an integral part of addressing any issues and fine-tuning the cars performance for the race.
Laguna Seca is famous for turns 8 and 8a, known as the Corkscrew. The Corkscrew features a nearly 60 foot drop (3 stories) in elevation coming off of blind spots from an uphill entrance, and provided no shortage of exciting action during the weekend.
The following day saw the race, but not before a fan walk, where L.A. Honda world stole the show.
Saturday, September 14th was the big day. The race was fierce and aggressive, with cars taking damage from bold attempts at overtakes when the stakes weren’t always high. After 2 hours of consistent performance from the racers and our very own team, who refueled and handled pit stop activity, Tom O’Gorman and Shelby Blackstock pulled off a solid 3rd place podium finish in the blue #37 Type R TCR. Everyone performed passionately, fending off aggressors and defensively maneuvering accidents along the way. The entire L.A. Honda World team created an environment that will not be forgotten.
Part of the HRC program, L.A. Honda World Racing is the official race team of L.A. Honda World, a factory-authorized Honda dealership in the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, CA.
For more information about the drivers and team, visit L.A. Honda World Racing on the web at www.lahondaworldracing.com and www.lahondaworld.com.
About L.A. Honda World Racing
L.A. Honda World Racing is an in-house professional racing team based in Southern California and participates in the SRO / TC America racing series exclusively racing touring cars built by HRC. They are also a factory authorized Honda dealer for American Honda Motor Co. www.lahondaworldracing.com
About Honda Racing Corporation US
Honda Racing Corporation US, (HRC), has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers. From pinnacle racing in Formula 1, INDYCAR, and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HRC powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers from age 4 to 40+. HRC leads all of Honda and Acura's high-performance racing programs in North America. HRC specializes in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. HRC offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports racers and is continually expanding its palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of pro racing. For more information, visit hondaracing-us.honda.com
