Continuing its Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup Championship campaign, HART Racing returns to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition this weekend for the Shalen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
Returning to the cockpit of the No. 69 Acura NSX GT3 machine will be the all-American lineup of Chad Gilsinger, Ryan Eversley and Tom Dyer – all sharing driving duties for the six hour endurance classic at Watkins Glen International.
Having competed in the first two endurance events on the IMSA schedule – the Rolex 24 and Sebring Twelve Hour – the volunteer Honda squad is looking for redemption after two promising starts to open the 2018 season.
The team, which was on a run for a top five finish at the previous outing at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, was collected in a big Turn 17 incident. But without hesitation, the crew quickly sprang into action to salvage what was left of the event as the No. 69 machine was able to complete the remaining nine laps of the race.
Three months later and HART Racing is ready to conquer the 3.4-mile fan favorite road course and put the speed of its Acura NSX GT3 on display. A big part of HART Racing’s IMSA campaign is to continue the development of the NSX not only on track, but to translate those lessons learned and apply them directly to the road car.
“The team has been working hard to update our pit equipment and supplies as well as rebuilding the car after the big crash at Sebring,” explained Gilsinger. “Normally we would have had plenty of time to do this between Sebring and Watkins but part of our focus for the year is to be a “test team” for HPD and to help improve the car for future upgrade packages. We have been working with HPD and Meyer Shank Racing doing multiple parts changes and testing at different tracks over the past two months, so we have actually been very busy.”
Aside from the team’s already strong pace, HART Racing is also entering the weekend knowing the winning capabilities of its Honda-powered GTD-machine. With the Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 taking the GTD class victory last year, HART Racing knows they have a car capable of a victory on its hands.
Someone looking forward to teaming back up with his HART Racing squad is Eversley, who knows what it’s like to win at the natural terrain road course with Honda.
“Watkins Glen has been a good track for me in the past,” said Eversley. “I won there in the Continental Tire series for Honda a few years back and my Mom’s side of the family is from New York so I always want to come race there. The team had Tom (Dyer) come in and help with some of the chassis development as well as Chad (Gilsinger) for some testing and as two of the best co-drivers I’ve ever had, I know they did a great job. From the data I’ve seen after the tests, I’m confident we’re bringing another top 5 capable car to Watkins Glen.”
Capping off the all-American driver line up for the pre-fourth of July race weekend, is Dyer, who joined the squad in Sebring and will be bringing his expertise back to the seat of the No. 69 Acura NSX GT3.
“I am super glad everything was able to be confirmed so I can go back to the Glen,” said Dyer. “I haven’t been there since 2013 in a Conti car, so this will be a new challenge and new experience. Similar to Sebring, we are looking to use every session to build on, on top of the test that we had there which was really positive. We will continue to be sensible and smart like we were at Sebring, which provided dividends to us. All three of us will do what we can to keep getting better and better. I am just happy to be back in the mix and behind the wheel again.”
Source. Sunday Group
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