TCR / 26 June 2023

Poles and podiums for new Honda Civic Type R TCR

Two magnificent pole positions and a pair of podium finishes for the new Honda Civic Type R TCR FL5 were the highlights of a strong, yet largely luckless, weekend for the JAS Motorsport-built car globally.

 

TCR China

British racer Jack Young stormed to a wet pole position at Zheijang aboard his Dongfeng Honda Racing Team entry with team-mates Martin Xie and Andre Couto third and fourth.

However, both Young and Xie were demoted 10 places on the Race One grid each due to a series regulation regarding a switch of chassis between the opening round - at which they both used the older FK7 Civic - and Zhejiang.

While Couto - making his seasonal debut and so not penalised - claimed second place in the opening race, just four laps were run under green-flag conditions, limiting Young and Xie to seventh and 10th spots.

From 10th on Race Two's partially-reversed grid, Young stormed to second place - a result that puts him fourth in the points. Couto was fourth and Xie again 10th.

The top-performing Civic Type R TCR drivers in the Am class were Norris Racing's Tony Chan, and Spark Racing's Yun Jie Zhou, who were eighth and ninth in the category in Race Two.

 

IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

Mat Pombo secured a sensational fifth TCR pole position in a row at Watkins Glen; maintaining the new FL5 Civic Type R TCR's unbeaten record in the process and leading the opening half of the race.

Unfortunately, his co-driver Ryan Eversley was fired into a barrier by a reckless rival (for which his assailant was penalised) while fighting for a podium finish with 20 minutes of the two-hour race to go.

Team-mates William Tally and Mike Lamarra - racing the FL5 Civic for the first time - finished sixth to retain third spot in the standings and maintain their title hopes.

VGRT's Victor Gonzalez Jr and Karl Wittmer made excellent progress to climb from sixth on the grid to sit second by mid-distance. Unfortunately, after being caught out by yellow flags, the duo to a lapped eighth by the finish.

Light contact with another car by Chad Gilsinger put the HART entry he shares with Steve Eich out of the race with 10 minutes to go while running in the top six.