MUNDIAL - GT - JAS MOTORSPORT NAS 24 HORAS DAYTONA

Terça, 25 Janeiro 2022 16:54 | Actualizado em Domingo, 14 Abril 2024 00:53

NSX GT3 Evo 22 debuts in Daytona 24
Hours qualifying race

Gradient Racing gave the new NSX GT3 Evo 22 a finish on its global racing debut at Daytona International Speedway last Sunday.

Kyffin Simpson and Till Bechtolsheimer drove the latest evolution of the 16-time title-winning NSX GT3 in the 100-minute qualifying race that set the grid for this weekend’s 24-hour race that opens the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.

An incident for Simpson on Daytona’s banking on Saturday morning damaged the rear of the car significantly, causing the team to miss the qualifying session in the afternoon.

But with incredible teamwork, the NSX was ready for Sunday’s warm-up and to take the green flag from the back of the grid; Daytona rookies Simpson and Bechtolsheimer the two chosen drivers to boost their circuit experience.

Starting driver Simpson climbed as high as 14th during his stint, which ended just before the half-distance mark. Bechtolsheimer’s mistake-free run ensured a 16th-place finish.

Bechtolsheimer and Simpson will share the car with two-time IMSA GTD champion Mario Farnbacher and Gradient team regular Marc Miller in the Daytona 24 Hours this weekend.

The weekend also played host to five official test sessions for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

With both LA Honda World Racing and HART not attending the test, VGRT were the only team present running JAS-built Honda Civic Type R TCRs.

Victor Gonzalez Jr and Ruben Iglesias set the pace in the TCR class in the opening session for the team formerly known as VGMC Racing. The duo finished the event with the fourth-fastest time.

Main Kyffin Simpson/Till Bechtolsheimer/Marc Miller/Mario Farnbacher, Gradient Racing, Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22, IMSA, Daytona, USA (credit: Halston Pitman/Gradient Racing); Lower 1 Kyffin Simpson/Till Bechtolsheimer/Marc Miller/Mario Farnbacher, Gradient Racing, Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22, IMSA, Daytona, USA (credit: Halston Pitman/Gradient Racing); 2 Kyffin Simpson/Till Bechtolsheimer/Marc Miller/Mario Farnbacher, Gradient Racing, Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22, IMSA, Daytona, USA (credit: Halston Pitman/Gradient Racing).

About JAS Motorsport

Founded in 1995, JAS Motorsport is one of the world's leading touring car teams and constructors. Initially fielding Alfa Romeos in the ITC, JAS became a technical partner of Honda in 1998 and has been at the forefront of its activities with touring cars and rallying ever since. In 2012, JAS was chosen to develop, in partnership with Honda R&D, the Civic WTCC, with which it claimed the Manufacturers' world title a year later. JAS designed and built the Civic Type R TCR, which has claimed 49 major titles so far (34 with the current model), and is also responsible for the build of the NSX GT3 Evo race car; itself a 16-time title winner.