BRASELTON, GA (October 6, 2021) – This Sunday, Team TGM will return, for the second time in a month, to one of their favorite circuits, VIRginia International Raceway, for Round 9 of 10 in the 2021 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

Team TGM owner and driver of the No. 64 Camaro, Ted Giovanis, explains the team’s affinity to the south Virginia facility, “We’ve been very successful at VIR over the past few years. Of course, we didn’t race in 2020 due to the pandemic, however, in 2019, we had both cars finish in the top ten, and in 2018 Hugh (Plumb) and Owen (Trinkler) got the win at VIR on the way to the Championship.

“Although our team is based at Road Atlanta, we consider VIR our second home. We were here two weeks ago racing in the International GT Series. I took second in the sprint race, and Hugh and I teamed up to also finish second in the enduro race. We’re working toward repeating the IGT Championship that I won last year, but an added bonus is competing at VIR so recently.

“It’s been a long season for us in the Chevy Camaro GT4.Rs, with some great highs and a few forgettable lows, but VIR is like coming home, and we’re ready to make the most of the experience we have at this track.”

Before taking to the track for official practice on Friday at 2:15 pm, Owen Trinkler, co-driver of the #64 Team TGM Camaro, will take part in a charity Pro/Am go-kart event at VIR’s karting track. The event, Karting for CKG, will benefit the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation – dedicated to raising awareness for teen mental health to erase stigma. For more information, visit https://www.ckgfoundation.org/

The Michelin Pilot Challenge Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix schedule at VIR lists a practice each day on Friday and Saturday. GS qualifying is set for 8:20 AM ET Sunday, with the race streaming live later that same day at 2:05 PM on TrackPass on NBCSN Sports Gold.

Ted Giovanis

“The competition in the Michelin Pilot Challenge is so strong this season that it’s anyone’s race on Sunday but I think we have our best chance this season for a win. We need to qualify well and Joe (Varde) will have a strong strategy. We’re not in contention for the championship this season, so our sole focus at VIR is on winning the race.”

 

Owen Trinkler

“There truly is something great to be said about every track we visit with IMSA; however, I consider VIR as my home track and one of the best. Connie, Kerrigan, and the entire team at VIR have a great circuit and facility – it’s a pleasure to come here. Having won here a few times, I’m definitely partial to this place, and I think Ted and I have a great chance at a podium finish this weekend.”

 

Hugh Plumb

“I’m really looking forward to a good finish at VIR. We have had some good wins here in recent years. It’s been a tough season this year, which is part of racing, but that’s only going to make this amazing team stronger than ever. Matt and I know this track well, and we’re looking forward to a strong result on Sunday.”

Matt Plumb

“I’m so excited to be back to Virginia, having grown up there and spent my college years in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, it feels like a bit of a homecoming. It is definitely one of my favorite tracks, and so looking forward to fighting for the results that our team deserves!”

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.