Luca Mars to Partner with Billy Johnson for Penultimate IMPC Round at VIR
| August 25, 2022 (Pittsburgh, PA) – A new number, new car and new teammate will be in store as Luca Mars makes his IMSA debut at Virginia International Raceway! Luca will be running the #59 Mustang alongside former IMSA GS Champion and VIR race winner Billy Johnson. While the driver pairing may be a new combination, the two drivers have worked all season together as teammates in different entries under the KohR Motorsports banner. However, a hard crash at Road America for Bob Michaelian sidelined one car, and the driver as well, forcing some creative planning ahead of the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR. Dean Martin: “Due to injuries suffered in a crash at Road America, Bob Michaelian will miss the VIR event. Nate Stacy has a conflict that also prevents him from attending the event so it made sense for us to pair Luca and Billy for the penultimate race at VIR. I’m looking forward to seeing what these two can do together. Personally, I’m looking forward to being focused on a single car for the event as well.” Luca Mars: “It’s really unfortunate that Bob was injured at Road America but it’s good to hear that he is healing up quickly. It’s an honor to be asked to step into his seat to race alongside Billy though and I’ll do my best for him until he’s ready to race again soon.” This is Luca’s first IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge event at VIR but he has had several stops over the last two seasons including stints in WRL aboard a GT4 BMW and most recently with the HPD GT3 Academy program. Luca Mars: “I can’t wait to get on track at VIR! This is such a fun track to drive and the Mustang should be fast. Working with Dean and Morgan both on the same car at a place where KohR has won before is pretty exciting too.” While the circumstances are unfortunate, the pairing of Luca with Billy in the #59 comes with some fun nostalgia as well. Luca’s dad Brett last raced with KohR in a #59 GS Mustang a decade ago! |
| The IMPC Rookie is coming off of a stellar weekend at Road America where he checked a number of milestones off the list. Luca set the pace in the final practice then backed it up with a Pole effort in qualifying besting the field by nearly 3 tenths! The 4-hour race began well with a great start leading the field in to Turn 1 and setting the pace for the first 12 laps – tying for second most laps led. A mechanical issue put the #60 car behind the wall before the 2-hour mark however. The crew put in a monster effort to make a quick repair. Despite teammate Nate Stacy turning some very quick lap times after their return, the team decided to retire the car rather than take additional chances being many laps down. Luca Mars: “The KohR guys gave us an absolute rocket at Road America. It was a shame we couldn’t give the guys the result they deserved because they worked so hard and put a really fast Mustang on track.” VIR Fast Facts: Event: Michelin GT Challenge At VIR Series: IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Class: GS Track: Virginia International Raceway Schedule: Friday August 26th Practice 1 9:45-10:45 Practice 2 1:30-2:30 GS Qualifying 5:30-5:45 Saturday August 6th Fan Walk 3:45-4:30 Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix 4:40-6:40 IMSA Live Timing & Scoring Alkamel Live Timing Peacock Live Broadcast USA Channel Rebroadcast Sunday September 4th, 2:00 – 4:00 ET For more information about Luca Mars and his motorsports endeavors please visit www.LucaMars.com or contact via media@LucaMars.com |