New Honda Civic to make IMSA debut in Laguna Seca

The Honda Civic Type R FL5 TCR will make his debut in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge this weekend at Laguna Seca. 

The new racing car, designed and built in Italy by JAS Motorsport has already hit the track in the TCR UK, TCR Italy and TCR World Tour series, claiming several podium results and a first victory with Niels Langeveld last Saturday in TCR Italy at Misano.

The American debut will see Ryan Eversley and Mat Pombo sharing the wheel of the  

L.A. Honda World Racing’s car in Saturday’s two-hour race.  

L.A. Honda World Racing was the first team in the world to take delivery of the new model and chose to test at Sebring in February rather than enter it in a race. Since then, the team continued to test the car with JAS and HPD engineers to ensure all systems are a go.

“Anytime in your career where you get to debut a brand-new car is a special moment. I was honoured to handle the driving duties for the IMSA testing debut at Sebring back in February and I’m just as thrilled to be part of its North American race debut at Laguna Seca!” said Eversley.

And Pombo echoed, “The team has worked tirelessly on this partnership with JAS and HPD to deliver the new Honda Civic TCR car to the United States. Being the first team to debut it on American soil is a special thing. Obviously, with a new car we are going to have to work out some kinks and figure out how to be competitive. Fortunately, this team has all the right people in the right spots, and we feel we are the best team to sort this car and get results.”

The new car’s launch also comes with an updated livery designed by well-known artist Andy Blackmore who has a legacy of designing liveries for many championship winning teams with memorable designs that stand out in the minds of fans.

The team’s other drivers Mike LaMarra and Will Tally will take delivery of their new Civic FL5 sometime in June.

Picture: L.A. Honda World Racing