BRASELTON, GA (Tuesday, December 8, 2020) – Team TGM’s impending debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the Rolex 24 at Daytona will feature four drivers who are doing double-duty for the team – competing for Team TGM in both the Michelin Pilot Challenge race and the Rolex 24.
After last week’s announcement that the team will be racing a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the ultra-competitive GTD category, team owner Ted Giovanis has confirmed the line-up for the team’s 24-hour endurance race debut.
Giovanis will make his first start as a driver in the Rolex 24 event and will be joined by Team TGM’s veteran sportscar racer Matt Plumb and 2018 Michelin Pilot Champions, Owen Trinkler and Hugh Plumb.
All four drivers – Giovanis and Trinkler in car No. 64 and Hugh and Matt Plumb in car No. 46 – will also drive for the team in Friday’s four-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge event aboard the team’s pair of Chevrolet Camaros.
The quartet have their sights set on completing a total of 48 hours and 30 minutes of track time for Team TGM between the Roar Before the 24 test which includes a 100-minute qualifying race and the Rolex 24 weekend of practice and races for both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge programs.
“The driver line-up was really a very easy decision to make because I had already done all the due diligence and consideration a couple years ago when I decided on Hugh, Owen and Matt to drive our Michelin Pilot cars. These guys bring with them such tremendous talent and experience, it was an easy decision then and it’s the same now,” Giovanis said.
“Together these three drivers have accumulated 21 previous Rolex 24 Hour race starts. I couldn’t be surrounded by a more knowledgeable and experienced group of drivers who I can depend on to take care of our equipment, while constantly pushing to the front. We already have a great relationship from the Michelin Pilot Series and keeping us together allows us to leverage on that synergy. These are the guys who I trust to race our cars in Michelin Pilot and I know I can count on them for the best result in the Rolex 24.”
Team TGM will return to IMSA competition after a hiatus in 2020 while Giovanis focused his efforts on the JKTG Foundation and its work toward the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine development.
The Roar before the 24 test will be held from January 22-24 with the Porsche and Chevrolet TGM programs returning to Daytona International Raceway from January 28-31.
Ted Giovanis
“Coming back to the biggest race of the year is a huge challenge but the team is prepared and ready to take on double-duty for this very long event, it’s a four-hour race on Friday followed by 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday.
“We’ve taken delivery of the racecar from Porsche Motorsports North America and have been working beside the folks at Wright Motorsports in preparing for the race. We have worked hard to put the right pieces in place to make this happen.
“While not our intent, we think this is a unique situation in that it will be the first time an entire team and all four drivers will race in the Friday event at Daytona and then switch cars and race in the Rolex 24.
“There have been several drivers that have competed in both and there are teams which support entries in both events, however this will be the first time a full team and all of its drivers will do both together.”
Hugh Plumb
“Returning to the 24-hour race is a thrill for us all and especially when Ted has given us the opportunity to have the best team, co-drivers and equipment.
“We’re aware of the challenges ahead with the amount of driving time for each of us throughout the week but we’re ready.
“This is a great chance for the entire team to step up to the GTD category with an exceptional Porsche racecar.
“I have a lot of experience driving Porsches and have been privileged to race them in the 24 several times in the past. It’s exciting to have John (Wright) and his group along with their incredible wealth of Porsche race knowledge. I’m very thankful to Ted for the chance to do this right.”
Owen Trinkler
“I can’t tell you how excited we all are for this opportunity to race both the Michelin Pilot Challenge opener and the biggest sportscar race in North America, the Rolex 24. I’m so thankful to Ted for bringing this all together. I know Matt and Hugh have a bit more experience at competing in the 24-hour race, however, this will be my sixth Rolex 24 and I have countless hours of time on the Daytona circuit with various series, racing and testing. This is one of the best tracks in the country, one of the top events in racing and we are looking for a very strong finish.”
Matt Plumb
“It’s been a few years since I’ve competed at the Rolex 24 and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s a fabulous event that takes an incredible amount of conditioning, smart driving and focus.
“This will be a first for all of us racing the Friday event followed by the 24-hour race. I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to share the driving with.
“We work extremely well together and have a great deal of experience as teammates in the Michelin Pilot cars. We have our sights set on battling for a podium position throughout the Rolex 24.”
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.
