Bowmanville, ON, Canada

  • #93 MMG Honda of Karl Wittmer and LP Montour claims victory on home soil
  • MMG only 110 points back in the TCR class championship following back-to-back wins

Honda returned to victory lane for the second-consecutive time, as the #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR of Karl Wittmer and LP Montour took the win at their home track in the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120. Things took a dramatic turn in the sixth round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, but MMG executed cleanly amidst the chaos, taking the checkered flag first and bolstering their position in the championship fight.

After qualifying in second position the day prior, just a mere 0.040 seconds off the pole position time, LP Montour rolled off as the race went green, carrying forward the team’s strong momentum throughout his stint. He moved up into the lead by the fifth lap over the polesitter, but found himself overtaken by another competitor four laps later.

The team had to complete a pit stop earlier than originally anticipated, as they suffered an unexpected left front tire delamination. Montour managed to dive into pit lane to address the sudden issue, and thus put Karl Wittmer on a major fuel-saving strategy as he took over driving duties.

During Wittmer’s stint, a drive-through penalty for a pit lane speed violation was handed to the then-leading car in the TCR field, promoting MMG to first place, although Wittmer still had a big task ahead of him to save enough fuel to the end

With 40 minutes remaining in the two-hour event, an incident involving multiple vehicles in Turn 7 brought out a lengthy full course caution. The second and third-place runners were involved, taking them out of contention. The caution allowed Wittmer to save additional fuel. The green flag running resumed with 20 minutes to go, and Wittmer went on to cross the finish line with a 2.149 second buffer between him and the car behind, securing his fifth and Montour’s second career series wins.

Following their top form at both Watkins Glen International and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the Honda outfit currently sits third in the TCR championship standings, just 110 points out of the lead.

The #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR of William Tally and Tim Lewis recovered from a spin on lap 2, battling a subsequent rear-alignment issue for the remainder of the race, to cross the line in 10th.  

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 Honda Race Results

  • Finished 1st - #93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR, Karl Wittmer, LP Montour
  • Finished 10th - #5 KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering Honda Civic Type R TCR, William Tally, Tim Lewis

Quotes
LP Montour (#93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished first: “Happy to have won the race with Karl. It’s a whole Canadian team here on Canadian soil. It means a lot for the whole team to be able to secure back-to-back wins; it’s very good for the points in the championship. Can’t be happier than that for my friends and family; Honda and MMG did everything right and it paid off.”

Karl Wittmer (#93 MMG Honda Civic Type R TCR) Finished first: “Honda gave us a great car. Everyone at MMG and HRC is working so hard to make this program happen for us and the results are showing it. Proud to be Canadian, proud to be part of HRC and MMG, and we will probably throw the biggest party in our hometowns to celebrate!”

Next
Honda will return for the seventh round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season, the two-hour Road America 120, on Saturday, August 2nd at 2 PM CT / 3 PM ET.

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