Details
Category: Road Racing
Justin Di Benedetto is aiming for the IMSA VP Sportscar Challenge in 2025.
By: Di Benedetto Racing
November 21, 2024
Daytona Beach, Florida — Justin Di Benedetto showcased his determination at the 2024 HSR Classic 24 Hour at Daytona, securing a 1st place class finish in the highly competitive Classic 24 Group E (E-5) and claiming 9th overall. Commanding his #4 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Di Benedetto's strong performance was marked by an impressive progression in lap times, beginning the week at 2:02s and steadily advancing to 1:53s, a remarkable 9-second improvement.
 
Reflecting on his experience at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, Di Benedetto shared, “The HSR Classic 24 weekend provided us with a great opportunity to run our Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport and get familiarized with the Daytona track. This has been a track I’ve wanted to run at for years, and I’m very pleased with how our first event went. The goal was to learn as much as we could before we return in January for the ROAR Before the Rolex 24 weekend. Everyone was really pleased with how the weekend went, the pace improved with every session, and we even notched up a class win at the end of the Classic 24. I’m looking forward to coming back in January and seeing what we can do.”
 
“The night races were the highlight of the weekend.” Justin added. “Racing at night is one of my favorite things as a driver and racing Daytona at night was such a surreal experience. The track has a lot of lighting on the banking which can be blinding at times, but it quickly changes when you get into the infield. Your eyes are adjusting to the lighting changes multiple times within a lap.”
 
Building on the excitement from this event, the Vaughan native is looking forward to the 2025 season and his entry into the IMSA VP Sportscar Challenge, a rapidly growing series that will feature GT3, GT4, and LMP3 machines. In 2025, the series will visit some of the most prestigious tracks in North America, including Daytona, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Road Atlanta, and a highly anticipated stop at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in July. Di Benedetto Racing’s participation in the IMSA VP series marks a significant career step as Justin and the Canadian crew graduate to one of America’s most competitive series.
 
Justin Di Benedetto expressed his gratitude to his partners and sponsors, “A big thank you to Bestline Auto Tech for giving me a great car and all my sponsors for their unwavering support this season. They have been instrumental in helping me reach this milestone and propelling our team to new heights next season. I am excited to see what we can accomplish together in the 2025 IMSA season.” The 2024 sponsor roster includes Syntheia AI, Launch Capital, NuGen Medical Devices, Buzbuzian Capital, Canaccord Genuity - The Polonoski Team, Irwin Lowy LLP, Outside the Box Capital, Crater Labs, OkRx - Levan Pharma Solutions, Capital Event Marketing, EV Minerals, Sunset on the Pacific Capital, Garfinkle Bidderman LLP, D&B Chartered Accountants, CEO.ca, Independent Trading Group (ITG), Rentex Realty, WhiteCap, Adwave, MIT Consulting, Caliber Homes, Humphries Planning Group, and Antara Marketing International.
 
The 2025 season will kick off during the Roar Before the 24 from January 17 to 19, where the IMSA VP Sportscar Challenge will feature two 45-minute races across the weekend.
 
Add a comment

Details
Category: Road Racing
Sébastien Bourdais joins Tower Motorsports full-time driver line up for 2025. (Photo-Jamey Price) 
By: Tower Motorsports
November 6, 2024
Toronto, Ontario - Tower Motorsports is set to make an imposing return to the LMP2 field in the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a powerhouse driver lineup sharing the wheel of the #08 Tower Events Oreca LMP2. The team will feature Team Owner and driver John Farano, endurance racing legend Sébastien Bourdais as a full-season driver, and prototype sensation Sebastian Alvarez joining for the Endurance Cup events. Dutch talent Job van Uitert will complete the lineup at the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
 
Canadian driver John Farano is excited about the upcoming season and confident in the team’s championship potential. “We are thrilled to be back in the LMP2 field for 2025. The driver lineup we’ve assembled combines the experience, skill, and determination needed to be competitive at every race," said Farano. "Racing alongside Sébastien, and having Sebastian and Job for the endurance events, will elevate the team’s performance to new heights. We’re aiming to fight at the front and claim the Jim Trueman Award once again.”
 
Sébastien Bourdais is a seasoned driver whose racing resume speaks for itself, with a great deal of success in both sportscar and open-wheel racing. On top of his time spent in Formula 1, the Frenchman is a four-time Champ Car World Series champion, with an additional 6 wins and 13 podiums in the IndyCar Series. Furthermore, his success in international sportscar championships is nothing short of astounding. He has reached the top step across the most prestigious endurance races in the world, with wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Spa, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans.  
 
“I am really happy to be joining Tower Motorsports,” stated Sébastien Bourdais. “It’s a proven team with a history of success, and I am thrilled to continue racing in America in such a high-level program. I’ve never had the pleasure of driving the LMP2 with higher downforce and Michelin tires, so it’s going to be an interesting experience. I’m really looking forward to racing this season with John, Sebastian, and Job. We’re going to have a ton of fun and achieve a great amount of success.” 
 
"I'm thrilled to be joining Tower Motorsports for the Endurance Cup races in 2025," added Alvarez. "Driving for the team at Petit Le Mans this year was an incredible experience, and I enjoyed every moment working with this group. Competing alongside John and Sébastien is a fantastic opportunity, and I’m ready to contribute to a strong lineup as we push to battle at the front." 
 
The Mexican driver comes with a plethora of LMP2 experience, having recently been a part of the team’s lineup for the 2024 edition of Motul Petit Le Mans, as well as becoming Vice-Champion of the European Le Mans Series. 
 
Job van Uitert, who will kick off the season with the team at Daytona, shared his teammates’ enthusiasm; "The Rolex 24 is one of the biggest races in the world, and to be part of the Tower Motorsports incredible lineup is an honor. The team has shown its strength in endurance racing, and I’m looking forward to returning with them and striving for a great result at Daytona.”
 
“Daytona is an amazing event, and it’s always great to be back in the IMSA paddocks,” added van Uitert. “They make every race an amazing show, and I’m sure 2025 will be no different. Joining John Farano again feels like returning to where it all started in endurance racing, winning the ELMS in LMP3 and Petit Le Mans in 2020. We have a very strong lineup, so all eyes are on the watch!”
 
Van Uitert is no stranger to the Tower Motorsports team as he has previously competed with them, namely at the Motul Petit Le Mans race in 2020, in which they claimed the coveted win. Job doesn’t lack experience in the LMP2 class, having clinched the Vice-Champion title twice in the European Le Mans Series, in 2020 and 2022, and coming in third in 2023.
 
With a lineup that blends seasoned veterans and young talent, Tower Motorsports is poised to make a significant impact on the LMP2 grid, starting at the iconic Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in January. A win at this event has eluded Tower Motorsports since 2020, but with a strong driver lineup paired with the extensive experience of the team’s crew, led by Team Manager Rick Capone, they are in a great position to achieve their goal and more. 
 
About Tower Events
Tower Events and Seating Services USA Inc. is regarded as the premier and leading constructer of Temporary Grandstand Seating and Scaffold Structures for Special Events across North America. Its portfolio includes – Formula 1 Grand Pix du Canada (Montreal), Formula One United States Grand Prix (COTA), Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and soon to be added, Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Tower Events has been involved in high-profile events across Canada and the United States of America since 2002 and are excited to be soon crossing over to Europe to participate in some very exciting events in 2024.
 
About Tower Scaffold
Tower Scaffold Services Inc. Established in 1985, is a leader in its industry providing solutions to many challenging and sensitive projects. These projects range from environmental protection, bridge work enclosure systems, and building restorations for historic and sensitive government projects coast to coast. Our engineering and design teams have developed solutions that exceed customer expectations in both design and safety with the most advanced scaffolding systems available in the world.
 
About Tower Motorsports
Tower Motorsports, founded by Team Principal and owner John Farano in 2007, has participated as a member of the International Motor Sports Association family for more than 15 years with championship achievements in 2012 and finally, returning to championship glory in 2022. The Tower Team is excited to continue with its program as a participant competing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in the LMP2 class and hopes to include an LMDH program as a privateer in 2025. Tower Motorsports is excited to return to Le Mans in 2023 after being absent from the Event since 2019 with preliminary plans to reinstate its LMP2 program in the European Le Mans Series in 2024 alongside its current IMSA program.
 
About Capone Motorsports
Capone Motorsports offers top-level motorsport services ranging from pre-race car preparation and comprehensive track support to routine maintenance and custom fabrication. They have combined their years of professional racing experience with their passion for the sport to provide their clients with a service that is second to none. 
 
Add a comment

Details
Category: Road Racing
Radical Canada East's Robert Burgess is heading to the World Finals in Yas Marina.
By: Radical Canada East
October 19, 2024
Toronto, Ontario – Radical Canada East is thrilled to announce that Robert Burgess will be competing in the prestigious Radical World Finals, taking place at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi from November 6 -10, 2024. This event gathers elite Radical drivers from across the globe for a spectacular showdown, marking the culmination of an exciting year of racing.
 
Burgess, known for bringing Radical Motorsport to Canada and his skill in the FEL Motorsports Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin, will race among some of the world’s top competitors, pushing the limits in the 1340cc class. His participation highlights Canada’s growing presence in the international Radical racing community.
 
The Radical World Finals will feature races across multiple classes, including 1340cc, 1500cc and the popular Radical SR10 models. Drivers will navigate the technical challenges of the Yas Marina Circuit, with its fast straights and sharp corners, making for an exciting event for motorsport fans worldwide.
 
Radical Canada East continues to lead the charge in bringing the adrenaline-fueled experience of Radical racing to Canadian drivers and fans. Follow Robert’s journey at the Radical World Finals by following @radicalcanada on Instagram + Facebook as well as stay updated through Radical Motorsport’s official channels and the Event Livestream (details will be on social media channels).
 
 
Robert Burgess:
“I’m very proud and excited to be representing Canada at the Radical World Finals! This event has been getting bigger and better every year and I'm sure Yas Marina will be the best World Finals yet.”
 
About Yas Marina Circuit:
Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most technologically-advanced tracks in the world, home to the annual Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and a living, breathing part of life in Abu Dhabi. This FIA Grade circuit is 5.281 km (3.281 miles) in length and features 16 turns.
 
About Radical Canada East:
Radical Canada East is the official distributor of Radical Sportscars in Eastern Canada, offering track day experiences, driving programs, and participation in the FEL Motorsports Emzone Radical Canada Cup Canada presented by Michelin. They are committed to fostering a passionate community of motorsport enthusiasts across the region.
 
 
Add a comment

Details
Category: Road Racing
Canada's fastest road racing series to debut at North America's longest-running street race.
By: FEL Motorsports
November 4, 2024
St Catharines, Ontario – November 4, 2024 – FEL Motorsports is excited to announce the addition of the Radical Cup Canada to the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R) on August 8,9,10, 2025. GP3R is the longest-running street race in North America. It is a weekend with great heritage and significance to the Canadian motorsports community.
 
This is a great opportunity to further expose Radical racing to Quebec race fans, teams and drivers. The Radical Cup Canada will join the Sports Car Championship Canada both presented by Michelin, for this exciting weekend.
 
“The Quebec market is very important to us, and we are thrilled to add another race in Quebec for our Radical teams. The Radical community is expanding in Quebec, and this is another reason for Quebec race teams and drivers to join our series. I first raced at GP3R in the early 90s, they have the best race fans I have seen anywhere in the world, we are sure that they will enjoy the show the Radical Cup Canada puts on,” said Chris Bye, President of FEL Motorsports.
 
For the director of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, the arrival of this new series is excellent news for GP3R fans."We are very pleased to announce the return of prototype cars thanks to the arrival of the Radical Cup Canada," said Dominic Fugère, General Manager of GP3R. "I am convinced that the addition of these two dozen cars, with a weight/downforce/ power ratio tailored to our street circuit, will add a whole new element of spectacle and adrenaline to our programming," he added.
 
About FEL Motorsports
FEL Motorsports grew out of a deep base of automotive roots from FEL Automotive Learning and Promotion. FEL, the parent company of FEL Motorsports, has over three decades of experience in the automotive event industry working within Canada and the U.S by combining the expertise gained from working with luxury automotive brands with some of Canada’s most experienced motorsport personnel, FEL Motorsports executes premium race event weekends at tracks in Canada. FEL Motorsports is focused on growth and sustainability in the Canadian Motorsports landscape by giving back to its teams through prizing and prize money.
Add a comment

Details
Category: Road Racing
Bryan Herta Autosport heads to Petit LeMans looking to put a car on the podium at every race in the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Cup season.
By: Bryan Herta Autosport
October 9, 2024

Fox Factory 120
Round 10 of 10 of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
October 9-11, 2024

Racetrack: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
2.54-mile road course features 12 turns
Race: Friday, October 11, 2024, at 12:45pm EST (2- Hour Race)
TV: Live on IMSA.tv in Canada and on NBC’s PEACOCK: www.peacock.tv in the U.S.

 

Listen: Live radio commentary for every session at www.IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com Live timing and scoring from each session available at www.IMSA.com. Live updates are available throughout the weekend on BHA social media and www.bryanhertaautosport.com

 

FAST FACTS:

Five in a Row: Having secured at least one podium finish in every event of the 2024 season, Hyundai heads to Road Atlanta with a 60-point lead over Audi as they have secured their fifth straight manufacturer's title.

 

The Championship Picture: The defending TCR Champions, Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens, drivers of the #33 Elantra N TCR are the only drivers mathematically in contention to challenge the #17 Audi JDC Motorsports drivers Chris Miller and Mikey Taylor for the 2024 title at Road Atlanta. The #33 team has a 170-point deficit heading into the series finale, and the series-leading #17 Audi must finish 11th or higher to clinch the title.

 

New Electronic Hand Controls: Robert Wickens and industry giant BOSCH announced their collaboration, a state-of-the-art electronic hand control system last month prior to IMSA's previous round on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Bosch hand control system is compatible with all race cars, allowing Wickens to compete in any professional racing series. Wickens, Gottsacker, and his Bryan Herta Autosport team very successfully debuted the new system at Indianapolis when they finished second.

 

Wickens gives a video tour of the system here: https://youtu.be/zTMdwfiB2hk?si=N-_qmiUj_FgmQcJw

 

Lap Leaders: Bryan Herta Autosport entries have led a total of 268 laps so far in 2024, raising $26, 800 for Hyundai Hope on Wheels (see below).

 

#98 Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi = 113 laps led
#33 Harry Gottsacker and Robert Wickens = 87 laps led
#76 Denis Dupont and Preston Brown = 38 laps led
#77 Taylor Hagler and Bryson Morris = 30 laps led

 

Defending Race Winners: Mark Wilkins and Mason Filippi are the defending race winners of the Fox Factory 120. They are also the latest TCR winners as they scored their first victory of the season at Indianapolis.

 

$30,700k So Far: Hyundai Hope On Wheels has pledged to donate $100 for every lap a Hyundai Elantra N TCR leads during every race of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season. Children's Hospital of Atlanta will receive the donation based on laps led this weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. 2024 Season Tally: 307 Laps =$30,700 (Daytona: 12, Sebring: 21, Laguna Seca 23, Mid-Ohio 44, Watkins Glen 22, CTMP 35, Road America 29, VIR 54 and 67 at Indy).

 

#33 Elantra N TCR - 2023 CHAMPIONS

2024 Best Start:1st (Daytona, Sebring, CTMP) 2024 Best Finish: 1st (CTMP) 2024 Rank: 2nd (2600pts)

Harry Gottsacker: “I’m ready to get back at it at Road Atlanta and finish the season strong. We know we are in a must-win situation for the championship, and we are going to be on full attack all weekend. I’m proud of our efforts over the season and especially the victory in Canada. We have bounced back so many times, it’s just shows the drive of the BHA and Hyundai team!”

 

Robert Wickens: "Although defending our championship looks unlikely, we still have a chance. The only goal is to win the race and see how it all plays out after that. With a strong team effort, we have a good shot at winning the manufacturer championship for Hyundai which is always the first goal of every season. Hopefully, we can lead a lot of laps for HHOW to raise even more money for local hospitals."

 

#76 Elantra N TCR
2024 Best Start: 6th (Road America) 2024 Best Finish: 1st (Mid-Ohio)
2024 Rank: 5th (2410pts)

 

Denis Dupont: “We’re excited to head to Road Atlanta for the final race of our first season with BHA. It’s been a strong year, with four podium finishes, including a win at Mid-Ohio. We’re determined to finish on a high note and know we’re capable of doing so. If we could redo one race, it would be Road America, where we came up just half a lap short on fuel while leading a turning point in our championship fight.”

 

Preston Brown: "Road Atlanta has always been a special place for me to race. As the last stop on the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge calendar, this is our opportunity to finish strong. Mid-Ohio was probably the most memorable race of the year, not only because we won but because it was a nail-biter for most of the last hour making sure that our strategy would play out successfully-- which it did. I agree with Denis that Road America was a huge disappointment and perhaps given another opportunity we would have been able to convert it into a podium. However, overall, it has been a fantastic first season with Bryan Herta Autosport and we are looking forward to continuing racing our Hyundai Elantra N TCR with the team."

 

#77 Elantra N TCR
2024 Best Start: 4th (Sebring) 2024 Best Finish: 4th (CTMP/Indianapolis)
2024 Rank: 7th (2220pts)

 

Taylor Hagler: “I’m ready to get back at it at Road Atlanta and finish the season strong. We know we are in a must-win situation for the championship, and we are going to be full attack all weekend. I’m proud of our efforts over the season and especially the victory in Canada. We have bounced back so many times, it’s just shows the drive of the BHA and Hyundai team!”

 

Bryson Morris: "I am ready for the season finale this weekend at Road Atlanta after a strong race at Indy. We had good pace here last year and it's where I made my debut with Bryan Herta Autosport. One last chance to get our first podium result of the season."

 

#98 Elantra N TCR
2024 Best Start: 2nd (Road America) 2024 Best Finish: 1st (Indianapolis)
2024 Rank: 3rd (2450)

 

Mason Filippi: "Road Atlanta is one of the our favorite tracks on the schedule. It's a high-speed handling track, which our Elantra N TCR cars love. We are excited to fight one more round for the championship and push hard for the Hyundai's fifth straight Manufacturers title. It has been a season with ups and downs, but our #98 crew is ready to race for our second win of the season."

 

Mark Wilkins: “Saving the best for last, I’m always excited to get back to Road Atlanta! I love all aspects of this track, and it has been really good for us and our Elantra N TCR in the past. Mason and I had a fantastic race victory at RA to end our season last year! We are carrying a lot of momentum from our recent win at Indy so I’m feeling really positive about our chances to make it two wins in a row. I’m excited to help secure another manufacturers championship for Hyundai and push for as many laps led as possible in support of Hyundai Hope on Wheels! It has been a strong season, but the top step of the podium would be the icing on the cake!”

 

Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian:

Founded in 2009, Bryan Herta Autosport has grown from a single car Indy-Lights team into a multi-championship winning auto racing franchise. Led by IndyCar and Sports Car star Bryan Herta, Bryan Herta Autosport has won races in every discipline they have entered, including Indy Lights, Indy Car, Global Rallycross, and championship titles in Pirelli World Challenge and IMSA. BHA rose to prominence after winning the 2011 Indianapolis 500 in what was the final race of the Centennial Era, a celebration of 100 years of racing at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with driver Dan Wheldon. Five years later, BHA partnered with Andretti Autosport, and defied the odds again, winning their second Indianapolis 500 with rookie driver Alexander Rossi. In 2018, BHA entered the American Sports Car scene beginning its immensely successful partnership with Hyundai. Together, BHA and Hyundai have won five consecutive team and driver championships, and four consecutive (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) manufacturer's titles in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge. For more information, visit: www.BryanHertaAutosport.com.

 

BHA/Hyundai Customer Support: Bryan Herta Autosport is the U.S. sales agent and part support representative of Hyundai TCR race cars for customer teams. The BHA/Hyundai Customer Support Team offers trackside engineering support, setup and tuning advice, and part and order fulfillments for the Hyundai Veloster N TCR and TCA teams and drivers from the BHA’s headquarters in Speedway, IN. in 2024, there are five BHA Customer Support Teams racing Elantra N TCR cars in Canada, The USA and in Mexico.

 

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America focuses on ‘Progress for Humanity’ and smart mobility solutions. Hyundai offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Our 830 dealers sold more than 724,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, and nearly half were built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. For more information, visit www.HyundaiNews.com.

Canadians In BOLD

Add a comment
  1. Samantha Tan Racing Ends GTWC America Season With A Top Five In Class
  2. Lexus And Vasser Sullivan Complete 2024 IMSA Season This Weekend At Road Atlanta
  3. 2024 GTD Petit Le Mans Pre Race Report For Wayne Taylor Racing With Andretti
  4. Penske Entertainment, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers Team Up For INDYCAR Grand Prix Of Arlington