Heylen and Mars Triumph in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Laguna Seca
Monterey, CA — In a commanding performance at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Jan Heylen and Luca Mars claimed victory in the Grand Sport (GS) class, driving the No. 28 Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS for RS1. This win marks their first of the season in the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, solidifying their lead in the championship standings.
Heylen and Mars executed a flawless strategy, culminating in an overall race win amidst fierce competition. The duo arrived as GS class point leaders after two second-place finishes at Daytona and Sebring. Mars qualified fourth and maintained position during his stint, setting the stage for Heylen’s strategic maneuvers.
The race was punctuated by four full-course cautions, significantly impacting strategy. RS1’s timely decision to pit Heylen just before the first caution allowed them to gain the lead, particularly effective during a sequence where most competitors were trapped behind the yellow flag.
Heylen showcased skill and composure, defending against challenges from the No. 44 Ibiza Farm Motorsports McLaren driven by Moisey Uretsky and Michael Cooper. That team’s chances evaporated due to a drive-through penalty assessed to Daniel Morad of Winward Racing, who was involved in a collision with Cooper.
In the critical final laps, Heylen navigated the restarts successfully, finishing 0.676 seconds ahead of Frank DePew and Robin Liddell in the No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing Aston Martin, with Caio Chaves and Thiago Camilo completing the podium in the No. 54 Panam Motorsport Toyota GR Supra.
Reflecting on the victory, Heylen remarked, “The team killed it on the pit stops and with the strategy. Today it all came together, and I couldn’t be happier.” Mars, celebrating his first Michelin Pilot Challenge win, credited Heylen’s experience, stating, “Jan is one of the best drivers… he’s helping me so much.”
In TCR competition, Bryan Herta Autosport swept the podium with its trio of Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars. The No. 33 Hyundai, piloted by Mark Wilkins and Bryson Morris, dominated before the final caution altered the race dynamics.
Morris led until lap 58 when a caution led to a dramatic restart. Eversley of Precision Racing LA surged to the front but was penalized for a false start. Denis Dupont seized the opportunity, advancing from fifth to first within a lap and maintaining his position under pressure from teammates Filippi and Morris.
Dupont’s mastery of the restart was highlighted: “It was a happy restart… I decided to go on the other side of the track, so that went pretty well,” he stated. Filippi, who finished second, expressed appreciation for the team’s success, emphasizing the significance of their 1-2-3 finish.
The Michelin Pilot Challenge continues with the O’Reilly Auto Parts 4 Hours of Mid-Ohio on June 8.
Race Results:
- Overall Winner: Jan Heylen & Luca Mars (No. 28 Porsche)
- 2nd Place: Frank DePew & Robin Liddell (No. 71 Aston Martin)
- 3rd Place: Caio Chaves & Thiago Camilo (No. 54 Toyota)
- TCR Podium: 1st Denis Dupont, 2nd Mason Filippi, 3rd Bryson Morris (Herta Hyundai)
