DETROIT, MI (June 3, 2023) – Team TGM had high hopes coming into the team’s first-ever street race today at the Detroit Grand Prix – but despite running well inside the top five in the opening part of the race, the team’s day did not go as planned.
Hugh Plumb made a great start to move from eighth on the grid up to fifth in the early going, but issues during the pit stop resulted in the team being assessed a drive-through penalty which pushed him and Matt Plumb back to 12th at the finish in the hotly contested Michelin Pilot Challenge event.
Ted Giovanis started aboard the No.64 machine but contact with another car resulted in him tapping the wall. A visit to the pit lane confirmed the worst – a bent tie-rod in the suspension forcing him out of the race with Owen Trinkler sadly unable to complete any race laps.
“The course was challenging with its many bumps and slippery surface. However, it was the same for everyone,” said team owner and driver Ted Giovanis.
“It was apparent the Penske organization put an unmatched effort and spared no expense in returning this event to downtown Detroit. But typical of racing on streets that see tons of traffic daily, not to mention the weathering of the surface due to the harsh winters, the course was demanding in many ways.
“Street courses are a unique experience, and I’m glad to have added it to my driver CV, however, I think the entire team is really looking forward to returning to the road course at Watkins Glen in a few weeks.”
FOLLOW TEAM TGM:
Twitter: @GoTeamTGM
Instagram: @Team_TGM
Facebook: @TeamTGM
Gallery: Sebring Race
It was a great day for racing - although some might say every day is a great day for racing! Check out Team TGM in action in round two of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Sebring International Raceway.Ted Giovanis the author FOCUS FORWARD: Life lessons from racing...
Team TGM brings home top four finish and points lead from Sebring
SEBRING, FL (Friday, March 15, 2024)— With temperatures hitting the high 80s at race time, Team TGM’s #46 took a fourth-place finish in the GS in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge today at Sebring International Raceway. Matt Plumb and Paul Holton drove to finish just...
Gallery: Sebring Practice and Qualifying
All the action from Sebring International Raceway as Team TGM prepares for round two of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Championship. Today - we race!Ted Giovanis the author FOCUS FORWARD: Life lessons from racing Life comes at you fast when you’re traveling 180...
Ted Giovanis
“I started the race and had a little bit of pace at the beginning, fell a bit off pace but then started to get faster and faster. Then all of a sudden I got caught in traffic because it was such a short track (1.6 miles) the race leaders came up on me.
“I got tapped on the rear when I was going into Turn 2. He tapped me and put me into the wall, which bent a tie-rod and put us out of the race. Hats off to the crew. When I came in, they were able to assess it quickly and knew it would not be fixable in time to be competitive in a 100-minute race. “
Owen Trinkler
“It is a real shame what happened because Ted was really starting to get into the grove. This is such a unique race track because it is so tight in places but you are flat out in sixth gear on the straight. Obviously, I’m disappointed to not get to race today, but I’m more disappointed for Ted as I know he wanted to come away from his first street race with a good result.
“We’ll reset and look forward to Watkins Glen, which is an absolute favorite for everybody on the team. It’s such a rewarding and special race track, and the entire crew – not just the drivers – are really looking forward to racing there.”
Hugh Plumb
“I felt really good about the car. We made some changes before the race. We probably should have come out in the top five, but we had a bit of a mix-up in pit lane. I ducked in right away, and I don’t think the crew really knew I was in. I’ll take full accountability for the long stop, causing a drive-through penalty.
“The TGM guys always continue to keep digging deep. We leave here with a better feeling about what we’re learning about this Aston every time. Thanks to Ted and Kristina for always providing a top-notch effort, and we will do better than this.”
Matt Plumb
“The car felt good, and I’m proud of the team. Apart from what happened in the pit stop, they did a great job. We came here with a new car, a new track for us, and we were able to find the right setup in a very short period of time.
“My stint during the race, the car handled great, but it was a risk versus reward. I think we moved up a little bit, and got about as far up as we could. We’ll move on from here and take the valuable things we learned to Watkins Glen.”
Ted Giovanis the author
FOCUS FORWARD: Life lessons from racing
Life comes at you fast when you’re traveling 180 miles per hour. For Ted Giovanis, it’s also where you can learn the most valuable lessons. Since becoming a race car driver three decades ago at age forty-six—a ride that is still in overdrive—Giovanis has discovered how the tools of racing and the teamwork within it are applicable to life and business. In forty-eight motivating and, at times, exhilarating chapters, he shares his experience and knowledge.
