AWA (Andrew Wojteczko Autosport Inc.) along with MBRP Performance Exhaust are pleased to announce a 2018 championship effort in the challenging IMSA CTSCC (Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge) championship in the fastest Grand Sport category. The endurance racing format consists of a mix of 2 and 4 hour races with 2 drivers per car.
The team has taken delivery of their first Multimatic Motorsports built Mustang GT4 to be driven by Martin Barkey and Brett Sandberg, a driver lineup that have each achieved multiple podium finishes in the GS class and that will surely be a threat in the overall championship. A second Mustang GT4 and driver lineup are being considered and interested parties should contact AWA for more info. Initial testing has been completed at Road Atlanta earlier this month.
Team principal Andrew Wojteczko had this to say “I’m thrilled with the way the new program is coming together, we have a great driver lineup and an awesome platform with the Mustang GT4 to compete with. I’m fortunate to have some of the best crew in the business making sure nothing is left to chance. I’ve had the pleasure of working with both Martin and Brett previously and know we can achieve great things together. Martin’s 2017 3rd place finish in the PWC GTS overall championship is indicative of just how competitive he is. Brett’s championship wins and endurance racing experience in Blancpain, GS, and GTD will be a huge asset. Being able to represent a Canadian built race car, manufactured just down the street at Multimatic is a huge honour.”
“I also want to say a big thanks to Anthony Mantella for giving me the opportunity to start and run the Mantella Autosport program. The lessons learned over the past 4 seasons are invaluable and will be a contributing factor to ongoing success.”
Martin Barkey commented “The 2018 race season is just around the corner, pre-season testing has been very positive. I’m really excited to be racing with AWA and thrilled to be sharing driving responsibilities with Brett Sandberg. The GT4 Mustang seems to be a car that responds well right out of the box… that said I do look forward to continued testing and becoming more familiar with the platform. With Andrew’s experience and drive for perfection combined with the “never quit” attitude of the AWA crew I have no doubt our MBRP Performance Exhaust Mustang will be a front runner throughout the season.“
Brett Sandberg explained “I am extremely excited to be joining forces with AWA and Martin Barkey for the 2018 IMSA season. It has been a few years since I have made a full season IMSA debut and cannot be more excited about campaigning this brand new GT4 Mustang alongside a long-time friend and past teammate. I believe with the guidance and expert engineering of Andrew Wojteczko we will truly be a force to be reckoned with!”
The AWA team is thrilled to announce partnerships with some legendary brands. Gulf and their line of competition lubricants provide maximum performance and protection in the engine, trans, diff and brakes. Look for drivers and crew to be outfitted in the latest OMP driver/crew suits and fire gear, keeping us safe over the wall and behind the wheel. Spyder and their fashionable, technical apparel will be making sure the team stays dry and warm on the cold days, and cool on the hot days. With the season kicking off at Daytona in January where temps are often at the freezing mark, the right gear makes a huge difference. If you catch the team on the road or at the airport, you’ll see Projekts’ line of bags and luggage, stylish and durable gear making sure everyone’s valuables arrive safely at the track. SekanSkin will be cutting/printing vinyl and watch for ongoing collaborations with DNBK, creator of the AWA artwork.
October 7, 2017.- This weekend, on the Road Atlanta circuit in Georgia, the 2017 season of the North American Endurance IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge came to an end. A season that the Quebec Motorsports In Action (MIA) Team and its Montreal drivers Jesse Lazare and Chris Green fully contested, from March until October, and ended on a high note by claiming a magnificent victory yesterday, crowning the efforts of the entire team. At the end of the two-hour race, the #69 McLaren 570S driven by Chris Green and Jesse Lazare finished in first place, after having led the majority of the laps.
The tenth and last race of the season, this two-hour event held as part of the twentieth anniversary of the popular “Petit Le Mans” at the Road Atlanta circuit, was highlighted by the heat, spectacular battles at the front of the pack, and a dominant effort by the MIA team for a good portion of the event, right through the finish line.
The #69 Pfaff McLaren and Garaga McLaren, driven by Jesse Lazare and Chris Green, progressed up the leaderboard throughout the duration of the weekend, despite a crash during the test session on Wednesday: Jesse had a catastrophic front left tire failure which delaminated moments before impact. When he put the tire under load in the last corner at 192 kph there was no turning the car. Tire has been sent to the lab by Continental Tire for further investigation.
Seventh during the first practice session, and first in the third session, the team, with Chris Green at the wheel, qualified on the first line.
Right from the start of the race, Green maintained his second place, before taking advantage of the first neutralization to refuel. This tactic was perfectly executed by the MIA team mechanics, enabling Chris to take the lead once the racing restarted.
The following laps gave the spectators a great battle for top spot between three cars and just as the mid-way point of the race took place, in conjunction with a second neutralization, Green and the MIA McLaren were once again in the lead.
When it was time to switch drivers, refuel once again, and change the tires, the MIA team did another remarkable job and Jesse Lazare took to the track still in first place.
Having to deal with race traffic on the tricky Road Atlanta circuit, Lazare saw his lead vary by a few seconds each lap, throughout the second half of the race. However, the young Montreal driver was flawless in his driving and was able to resist the pressure from his closest adversaries. “Honestly, when I got in the car I knew it was the perfect opportunity, it was the perfect sprint stint” said Lazare. “I had the car to go to the end – the fuel, the tires. The team did a perfect job. Chris did an outstanding job bringing me the car completely straight, like brand new. I was keeping every tire on out there and I was maintaining my gap and this is just a taste of what Motorsports In Action can do.”
This exceptional victory rewarded the MIA team for all their hard work all season, despite barely missing out on success earlier this season, for the #69 McLaren. At Road Atlanta, everything came together. “This is an extremely emotional victory for not only me, but the whole team that put all their love and effort throughout the whole season. I want to personally thank Carl Hermez that put this super star team together and achieved so much for a new team! Can’t wait for next year!” indicated Eric Kerub, team owner.
This success concludes the 2017 season for the MIA team, Jesse Lazare and Chris Green finished in sixth place in the Grand Sports final standings. More details regarding the 2018 plans of the team and their drivers will be
