After making a noteworthy debut at Daytona with a pair of brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT4 machines, TeamTGM is prepared and ready to go for the second race of the 2018 IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge season with Friday’s two-hour Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 at Sebring International Raceway.
Despite only taking delivery of its second Mercedes-AMG GT4 one week before the first race at Daytona, TeamTGM proved throughout the race weekend that they have the pace necessary with both entries to have a strong presence in the ultra competitive category.
After leading multiple laps during the season opener, TeamTGM is looking to return to competition at Sebring International Raceway with an equal amount of pace for the Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 this weekend.
TeamTGM will return with the Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis (JKTG) Foundation on the side of its two car lineup. The JKTG Foundation serves to challenge the status quo and new methods for cancer research by funding scientists to look for new treatments while also creating healthcare solutions.
In February, the JKTG Foundation participated in “Spread the Love” month, partnering with NourishNC to match donations up to $10,000. Giving back is an important piece of the JKTG Foundation, and that ethos transfers over to the core values of TeamTGM.
The two car JKTG Foundation / Camp Boggy Creek Mercedes-AMG lineup for TeamTGM will return with Ted Giovanis and Guy Cosmo behind the wheel of the No. 4 Mercedes-AMG GT4 and Hugh Plumb and Owen Trinkler piloting the No. 46 Mercedes-AMG GT4.
As the newcomer to the team for 2018, Trinkler will look to use his previous success at the circuit to build on the team’s already competitive start to the season. The track has recently changed where the podium celebrations are held, but Trinkler is already familiar with how to find it, having scored a second place result last year and an ST class win in 2016.
“Sebring has been good to me and I have been competitive since competing here,” said Trinkler. “I competed in my first 12 Hour race there in 1997. This track suits my driving style well and I actually like the bumps. So we will see if I can keep the momentum going and grab a second win.”
With the second event of the season cut down to two hours, a different mindset will be needed heading into the event.
“A four hour race is completely different than a two-hour race,” explains Trinkler. “You want to set up your track position in the first hour and then it’s a sprint to the finish in the second half. Having a test and a race under our belt really helps us heading into Sebring. Every time we bring this car out we are going to keep learning different ways to make this car quicker. We have a great crew behind us and Joe Varde does a great job in the box. I think for both cars having led at Daytona gives us confidence heading into this race.”
Team owner and driver, Giovanis, is confident heading into the 2-hour event now that he has had more seat time in the new GT4 machine as he teams up with Cosmo once again.
“I am getting more confident and comfortable the more time I have spent in the car,” said Giovanis. “We had the IMSA test here at Sebring and I have had other opportunities to drive and get more seat time. Sebring should be a good track for us. All of us have had time at the track and have done well there in the past. Having this race be a two-hour event will allow us to get to our normal mode compared to the 4 hour at Daytona and hopefully we can have some good pace and pit strategy to go with it!”
Heading back to Florida for the second event of the season is like another debut for TeamTGM as both Mercedes-AMG GT4s will feature the official livery for the season. Both cars will sport similar designs of black, blue and neon orange which will be sure to stand out on the sunny Florida circuit.
Source. Sunday Group
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