Salinas, CA (Saturday, May 13, 2023) – The Team TGM Aston Martin Vantage No.46 machine met with unforeseen incidents early in today’s race at the third round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Within the first five minutes of the race Hugh Plumb had a tire go flat in turn four, ran off and collected a Michelin sign, and made a long, slow trek back to pit lane. Unfortunately, the brothers (co-driver Matt Plumb) could not significantly recover the lost time from the return to pit lane and unscheduled pit stop. Ultimately they finished in 18th position in the GS category.
The sister car driven by team owner Ted Giovanis had to start last due to Trinkler qualifying and Giovanis starting the race. They made up ground and ultimately finished 17th.
“We’ve got some work to do before we head to Detroit in just a couple of weeks. A street race like the Detroit Grand Prix always presents many variables, but we are looking forward to racing the historic downtown course.”
Next up: Chevrolet Sports Car Classic, a 100-minute race on the street course in Detroit – June 1-3, 2023.
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It has been a pretty big week. Racing is what we love, but @tedgiovanis is doing what he can to fight a much bigger battle. Check him out with @MattYocum on @peacock today.
–#MichelinPilotChallenge | #IMSA pic.twitter.com/3QQadJxIxM— TeamTGM (@GoTeamTGM) May 14, 2023
Video: Ride with Trinkler at Laguna
Jump in and take a ride with Owen Trinkler as he charges around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca aboard Team TGM's Aston Martin Vantage GT4.Ted Giovanis the author Beyond Fear: How I Fought the Feds for Six Years―and Won In this gripping story, Ted Giovanis provides a...
Gallery: Laguna Seca race day
We love this place - even on days when it doesn't love us back. Check out the pics from the latest round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.Ted Giovanis the author Beyond Fear: How I Fought the Feds for Six Years―and Won In this...
Gallery: Laguna Seca Practice
Day one of this weekend's on-track action at the beautiful WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for Team TGM and our Aston Martin Vantage GT4 machines.Ted Giovanis the author Beyond Fear: How I Fought the Feds for Six Years―and Won In this gripping story, Ted Giovanis...
Ted Giovanis
“It was an interesting weekend, but from where we started it’s alright. We had a few problems along the way. The No.46 car had a flat and had an unscheduled stop and lost a few laps. They fought back and got up to 18th.
“I think Owen did a great job, and the best part is that we are leaving here with no crash damage and will be able to rebound for Detroit.”
Owen Trinkler
“It was kind of a long weekend for us. We struggled a bit yesterday and had some issues that had us starting over. So that’s why I qualified, to see what the car had for a long run and shake it down in the qualifying session.
“Overall, it was a decent day. We would have liked to be top 15. Ted did a good job, and I know he’s feeling a bit under the weather now, but we soldiered through it and we will move on to Detroit. “We keep gathering a notebook on this car, and everytime we run it, we get to know it better and better.”
Hugh Plumb
“I could feel the tire going down but hoped it wasn’t the case; then in turn four, it went flat. I had little control over the car and was trying to stay out of the way. I was coming out of the corkscrew and didn’t have much control. I went off and hit a big Michelin sign.
“I tried everything to get the sign to release, but it was tethered to the car, and I couldn’t get it to budge and had to bring the sign to the pit lane for the crew to remove it.
“It’s extremely rare to have any troubles with the Michelins – but sometimes there are issues beyond anyone’s control.”
Matt Plumb
“Days like today are just part of the highs and lows of racing. We didn’t make any mistakes, just unfortunately, the wrong place at the wrong time, but because of things like debris – tires have issues sometimes.
“The entire Team TGM crew did a great job just to finish the race; however, in a two-hour race, you can’t get down a pit stop and make up that sort of time.
“The team will bounce back and be ready for Detroit.”
Ted Giovanis the author
Beyond Fear: How I Fought the Feds for Six Years―and Won
In this gripping story, Ted Giovanis provides a front-row seat for how he ― a self-employed healthcare finance and regulatory consultant ― overcame extraordinarily long odds in his battle with the federal government, culminating in one of the largest court settlements in the history of Medicare.
Ted Giovanis the author
Beyond Fear: How I Fought the Feds for Six Years―and Won
In this gripping story, Ted Giovanis provides a front-row seat for how he ― a self-employed healthcare finance and regulatory consultant ― overcame extraordinarily long odds in his battle with the federal government, culminating in one of the largest court settlements in the history of Medicare.