It was a successful debut for the all-new FL5 model Honda Civic Type R TCR machine as LA Honda World's Ryan Eversley and Mat Pombo started from pole and scored a podium finish in the weekend's IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Pombo kicked off the weekend well for the team, setting a blistering pace to claim pole position in the FL5's first qualifying session. He and co-driver Ryan Eversley would stay out of trouble to cross the line third in their brand new #37 Honda at the Laguna Seca 120, third round in the 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series.
Still running the previous-generation Civic Type R – and championship leaders entering the Laguna Seca round – William Tally and Mike LaMarra in their #73 LA Honda World Civic Type R TCR unfortunately suffered from a connection issue with the fuel cell in the latter half of the race. The team worked hard to repair it, and Mike LaMarra and co-driver William Tally would move up a few spots as other teams found their own struggles—ultimately coming home 10th.
Victor Gonzalez and Karl Wittmer scored a seventh-place finish aboard their #99 Honda Civic Type R TCR machinery. Gonzalez struggled with a vibration in the early stages of the race which the team believed to be caused by a tire issue, forcing them to pit earlier than anticipated. The team would recover from the unscheduled pit stop to notch their seventh-place finish.
Laguna Seca 120 Honda Race Results
- 3rd TCR - #37 Ryan Eversley and Mat Pombo, LA Honda World Honda Civic Type R TCR
- 7th TCR - #99 Victor Gonzalez and Karl Wittmer, VGRT Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR
- 10th TCR - #73 William Tally and Mike LaMarra, LA Honda World Honda Civic Type R TCR
