VIR is the site where TeamTGM scored its second victory of the 2018 season on the way to earning the GS championship. Having competed at the 3.27-mile circuit for the past five consecutive years, to say TeamTGM knows the ins and outs of the track is an understatement.
Owen Trinkler and Hugh Plumb are looking to take their No. 46 Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis (JKTG) Foundation Mercedes-AMG GT4 back to victory lane after scoring an incredible victory last year.
The win was not an easy one and saw Trinkler make a head turning drive in treacherous wet conditions on slick tires, while the rest of the field opted for rains. That strategy call made by Joe Varde paid off to bring home a big win at the end of the two hour race.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to VIR with the team,” said Trinkler. “We have shown to have good pace during qualifying, it just hasn’t translated into the race. VIR is a great track that the Mercedes-AMG performs well at so I’m feeling confident heading into the weekend.”
Plumb is eager to head back out on track at VIR and is confident in the balance of the Mercedes-AMG GT4 platform.
“VIR is one of my favorite race tracks on the schedule,” said Plumb. “It’s a track that always makes sure it gets the most out of you as a driver/crew member and the car. The weather is always tricky and unpredictable and it’s always HOT. The track really tests the car with curbing and you must use big braking areas and need to qualify up front. TGM knows how to do this, with a win last year, we are primed for success and will be ready.”
With big improvements shown this year, Ted Giovanis and Guy Cosmo are looking to continue that momentum at VIR in the No. 4 jktgfoundaiton.org / Camp Boggy Creek Mercedes-AMG GT4. Giovanis showed strength at the previous round at Road America, driving through tough wet conditions, which could be an asset this weekend.
“VIR is a great track and I look forward to going there next week,” said Giovanis. “Hopefully the weather will cooperate this year. VIR has it all – high speed sweepers, tighter turns, uphills and downhills. It’s truly a great track.”
Cosmo, who is one of the drivers in the IMPC field with the most experience at VIR is looking forward to heading back to the free flowing track that suits the Mercedes-AMG well.
“VIR is a track I think everyone at TeamTGM really enjoys,” said Cosmo. “It has a raw, grass-roots nature, it’s absolutely beautiful and it has everything that makes a driver salivate behind the wheel. Our Mercedes-AMGs will definitely be strong and we’re hoping for a strong showing, but most importantly just a solid finish. This season has been quite tough on this team and we are ready for some solid results for the remaining races of the season.”
The Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, August 24th and is set to go green at 2:05pm ET with live coverage on IMSA.tv.