IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 Report
Date: [Insert Date of Race]
Location: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Overall and Grand Sport (GS) Class Winner: No. 39 CarBahn with Peregrine Racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO driven by Jeff Westphal and Sean McAlister.
Race Duration: 2 hours
Winning Margin: 5.603 seconds
Jeff Westphal secured his sixth career victory in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120, demonstrating strategic prowess alongside teammate Sean McAlister. After a solid 58-minute opening stint by McAlister, which saw the team capitalize on fuel strategy to potentially execute a one-stop race, a multi-car accident on Andretti Straight caused a crucial 22-minute caution period. This incident eliminated many competitors and allowed CarBahn to maintain control in the closing stages of the race.
Key Race Insights:
- The No. 39 BMW faced uncertainty regarding fuel levels before the caution, with McAlister confirming concerns over potential shortfall: “Before that yellow, we were just short of a lap shy on fuel.”
- In the final moments, Westphal praised his team’s preparation and McAlister’s fuel-saving efforts: “Sean’s fuel save was absolutely essential… It wasn’t without trials— I was on full fuel save from lap one as well.”
Podium Finishers:
- CarBahn with Peregrine Racing – No. 39 BMW M4 GT4 EVO
- Auto Technic Racing – No. 27 BMW M4 GT4 EVO (Stevan McAleer and Austin Krainz)
- Stephen Cameron Racing – No. 19 Ford Mustang GT4 (Gregory Liefooghe and Sean Quinlan)
McAleer, securing his first podium of the season, noted the emotional significance for his teammate, stating: “I heard Austin and his dad were crying… First podium, it’s a massive day.”
The No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 EVO climbed from 15th to fourth, resulting in a strong showing for the brand, while the Motul Pole Award-winning No. 13 Ford Mustang rounded out the top five. GS class points leaders Jan Heylen and Luca Mars finished ninth, maintaining a 260-point lead in the standings.
Touring Car (TCR) Class Highlights:
Karl Wittmer and LP Montour achieved back-to-back TCR class victories in the No. 93 MMG Honda Civic FL5 TCR. The race unfolded with multiple lead changes until contact between competitors created a pivotal caution that eliminated rival entries and solidified Wittmer’s victory margin of 2.149 seconds.
TCR Podium Results:
- MMG Honda Civic FL5 TCR – No. 93 (Wittmer and Montour)
- Victor Gonzalez Racing Hyundai Elantra N TCR – No. 99 (Tyler Gonzalez and Eric Powell)
- Baker Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR – No. 7 (Ryan Eversley and Celso Neto)
Montour emphasized the team’s achievement on home turf: “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.”
As the series progresses, teams prepare for the next round, the Road America 120, on August 2.
Upcoming Event:
- Next Race: Road America 120
- Date: August 2
This victory strengthens CarBahn with Peregrine Racing’s position in the championship standings, while TCR contenders see shifting dynamics as the title race tightens.
