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Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Bring Across-the-Board IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona (GTD) Points Leads and Perfect Podium Record to Road America

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Official Release
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ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin – Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 teams Winward Racing and Korthoff Preston Motorsports bring across-the-board GT Daytona (GTD) class championship points leads and a podium-perfect 2024 race record to Round 7 of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD season this weekend on the four-mile Road America circuit. Sunday’s featured two-hour and 40-minute IMSA WeatherTech Championship race follows Saturday’s two-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race in which Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams Winward and JMF Motorsports compete in Mercedes-AMG GT4s in the top-level Grand Sport (GS) class.

The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing WeatherTech Championship success this season has been anchored by Winward and team co-drivers Russell Ward and Philip Ellis in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. Winward won four of the year’s first six races and backed it up with a second-place finish one race ago at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The four victories are the most for any WeatherTech Championship team in any class this year, with no teams in the series’ three other divisions winning more than two races.

The No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 team has built the best overall performance record in the WeatherTech series with victories in the season’s first three endurance races at Daytona, Sebring and Watkins Glen and a sprint race win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

​Full-season team drivers Ward and Ellis were part of all four victories with Indy Donje partnering for the trio of endurance victories. Daniel Morad also joined the Winward squad as the team’s fourth and ultimately race-closing driver at the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The on-track success has kept the No. 57, Ward and Ellis atop the WeatherTech Championship GTD team and driver point standings all season. Even the second-place finish in Canada three weeks ago bolstered Winward’s championship leads to season-high levels heading to Road America.

Ward, Ellis and the Winward No. 57 came into the Canadian round 305 points ahead of the nearest driver and team championship challengers, but have now increased that season-high lead to an even bigger 340 points, 2090 – 1,750, going into Road America

Mercedes-AMG maintains an even larger lead in the GTD manufacturer championship battle with 2,185 points, a full season-high 397 ahead of the second-place competitor’s 1,788 points.

The maximum points available to a driver, team or manufacturer in all GTD championships for a race win is 350, which means Winward, Ward and Ellis are just 10 points shy of having full race leads in the driver and team title battles.

Mercedes-AMG’s margin in the manufacturer championship, which more than exceeds a full-race points lead, has also been supported this season by the No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 team. The Korthoff team and drivers arrive at Road America third in the GTD championship standings.

The No. 32 team and drivers Mike Skeen and Mikael Grenier stepped up to earn the championship points for Mercedes-AMG in April at the Grand Prix of Long Beach with a third-place finish. The victory lane visit was the first podium result for the Korthoff team since finishing third in GTD last year at Road America.

Skeen and Grenier co-drove to last year’s Road America podium as well, but this weekend their teammate Kenton Koch, a Korthoff endurance race regular, steps into the No. 32 to co-drive with Grenier. Skeen, who has been with the Korthoff team since its debut season in 2021, will be back in the car with Grenier and Koch for the year’s final two races in Indianapolis and Atlanta as Korthoff looks to repeat its 2023 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup GTD Championship.

Combined with Winward’s four wins and lone runner-up finish this season, Korthoff’s visit to victory lane at Long Beach makes Mercedes-AMG the only competing brand in the WeatherTech Championship’s two GTD classes – GTD and GTD Pro – to place a car on the podium in each of the year’s first six races.

A pair of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams are also entered in Saturday’s two-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Road America in the top-tier Grand Sport (GS) class.

Morad and co-driver Bryce Ward – Russell Ward’s father – share the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4 while Jesse Webb and teammate Michai Stephens co-drive the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4.

Bryce Ward, Morad and the No. 57 team are determined to have a rebound performance at Road America after being knocked out of the most recent race in Canada at the start. Bryce Ward was uninjured in the incident, but the last-place finish that was a result of the hit was a devastating blow to the team’s championship bid.

Winward opened the season with three podium finishes in the year’s first five races, and similar, if not better, results at Road America and the year’s final three races that follow will be needed to fight back into a top-three championship position.

A winning Mercedes-AMG GT4 team in its first year in IMSA GS competition, JMF, Webb and Stephens have shown race-leading pace all year. Season-best finishes of seventh at Sebring and Mid-Ohio, however, are not indicative of the on-track potential of the No. 34 team and drivers.

A three-day race weekend, the Road America schedule gets underway with opening practice for the WeatherTech and Pilot Challenge series on Friday.

Saturday begins with GS qualifying at 8:20 a.m. CDT to set the grid for that afternoon’s two-hour Pilot Challenge race that is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m. CDT. A final WeatherTech 90-minute practice takes place Saturday at 9:55 a.m. CDT, with GTD qualifying wrapping up the day that afternoon at 4:20 p.m. CDT.

Sunday’s sole on-track action for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams is the featured two-hour and 40-minute IMSA WeatherTech Championship race that is slated to go green at 2:10 p.m. CDT for the two-hour and 40-minute race.

Live race coverage begins at 3 p.m. EDT on NBC’s streaming network Peacock with same-day broadcast coverage airing on CNBC later on Sunday at 6 p.m. EDT. International viewers can watch the race live on IMSA.TV starting at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday.

Philip Ellis, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s nice to go into the next couple of races with a good lead, but it only takes one bad weekend where you don’t make the race to have that lead disappear. So, it’s still the same mentality as we have had at the races going into Road America with no mistakes and having a clean race. We will capitalize on other people’s mistakes, just do our jobs, keep it clean and see where we end up. For us as a team, it is just focusing on the execution of the race. I expect Road America to be a bit better than last year with the new asphalt being run in a little, so the racing itself should be a little more interesting, and better on our side as well. It should be a good weekend, just like we had one race ago in Canada, and we will be banking on a good qualifying and then having a good race as a team. The team has been doing a great job on strategies the entire year, and we have been one of the strongest teams on strategies the last few seasons. With the current performance rules, we will have to use that strategy to our advantage, maybe play the fuel game, which won us the race in 2022. We will try to do the same again, but there is always risk management, where you don’t want to sacrifice too many points going for one single result. We will keep the outlook on the overall championship.”

Mikael Grenier, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Last year at Road America we were good on strategy and able to get a podium. We will focus on strategy again and on having a good qualifying because getting and trying to keep track position will be very important for us. It is good to have Kenton with us this weekend.”

Michai Stephens, Driver – No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4: “From one high-speed coliseum to the next! The Canadian Tire Motorsport Park weekend opened our eyes to a few things we hope to take advantage of at Road America. Maximizing the chassis performance across a wide range of corner types, long straights, heavy brake zones and aggressive curbing demands a lot from not only the car but the team and drivers as well. Like Canada and Daytona, drafting strategies and techniques will likely play a significant role in how we maintain pace and manage fuel saving. The team has been growing stronger with every round of the championship, and the passion to secure a top-five finish and ultimately a podium by season’s end is still strong! Given Road America’s proximity to my home in Illinois, I do consider it to be one of my home tracks, with Indy being a close rival. The reality of my childhood dream of being a racing driver comes into focus with the presence of family and friends because they have all played active roles in the timeline that has brought us to this moment. Funny enough, I enjoy knowing exactly which turn my family is watching from because it’s guaranteed to provide a burst of overwhelming energy lap after lap!”

Event Preview: Wright Motorsports at IMSA SportsCar Weekend, Road America

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Official Release
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BATAVIA, Ohio. (July 31, 20240) – Wright Motorsports stands ready to take on the legendary Road America road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Racing the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer, the team aims to capitalize on their momentum and close in on their first win in the 2024 season.

“After sitting out the previous round in Canada, we’re excited to get back to racing in the IMSA WeatherTech series,” said Team Owner John Wright. “We have many years of experience running Porsches at Road America and we’ve had strong results so far this year. We’re ready to put it all together and have a positive run in Wisconsin.”

Despite not competing in the entire championship, the dynamic duo of Adelson and Skeer have shown remarkable ability on the track racing against more seasoned sports car racing veterans. They first debuted their Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 992) at Road America in 2023 and have spent the last year making great strides with the impressive Porsche. This familiarity with the track, combined with the drivers’ growing experience, sets the stage for an exciting performance in Sunday’s race.

The two-hour and 40-minute race kicks off on Sunday at 2:10 PM CT. Fans will watch as all five IMSA WeatherTech classes compete and Wright Motorsports, Adelson, and Skeer push the limits in pursuit of their first victory in the GTD category. For those not able to attend, the race will air stream in the United States on Peacock and internationally on imsa.com/tvlive and IMSA’s YouTube page.

EVENT SCHEDULE | ALL TIMES CENTRAL

Friday, August 2
1:55 PM – 3:25 PM Practice 1

Saturday, August 3

9:55 AM – 11:25 AM Practice 2
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM Autograph Session
4:20 PM – 4:35 PM GTD Qualifying

Sunday, August 4

12:50 PM – 1:50 PM Open Grid Fan Walk
2:10 PM – 4:50 PM IMSA SportsCar Weekend (Race)

DRIVER QUOTES

Adam Adelson

Road America is one of the greatest tracks in the world, and I’ve thoroughly loved racing on it every time I’ve been there. To be racing there with IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship is something that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time, and I can’t wait to get out there.

Elliott Skeer

I’m Very much looking forward to what will be a packed IMSA weekend at Road America! It’s a super cool feeling going from old-school track to old-school track and getting the full experience of North American sports car racing at its best. Road America was our debut in the 911 GT3 R last year and I’m super excited to see the progress Wright has made to the car as well as Adam’s driving! Going to be fun as always.

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Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

TROY LEE BUYS BACK HIS COMPANY

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Official Release
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Corona, California, July 31, 2024 – Troy Lee Designs is excited to announce a significant evolution in its ownership structure, moving forward as an independent company. This pivotal shift, by founder Troy Lee, backed by a world-class American family, marks a new chapter for the iconic brand.

With this new ownership status, Troy Lee Designs is set to channel its renewed energy into the Fall 2024 season and beyond. The company is committed to securing prominent positions in the bike and motocross helmet and technical apparel markets. Enhanced investments will enable Troy Lee Designs to deliver exceptional products, including helmets, technical gear, protection, and sportswear, to our valued dealers, distributors, consumers, and enthusiasts.

Troy Lee, the visionary founder and namesake, will continue to play a crucial role as the Chairman, strategic brand advisor, and inspirational leader of the renowned paint shop. “I’m incredibly passionate about our brand and our future. With strong leadership and dedicated partners, I’m stoked for what’s ahead. Peace & Wheelies!” – Troy Lee

Jon-Erik Burleson, CEO of Troy Lee Designs, expressed his enthusiasm: “Over the past nine months, with the invaluable support of 2 Ride, we have built a robust platform. As an independent company, we are now equipped to grow and unlock the full potential of the premium brand that Troy Lee Designs is destined to be.”

A statement from 2 Ride Group: “2 Ride Group is very pleased to see Troy Lee Designs coming back to its iconic founder. The brand’s return to independence should give it the agility it needs to strengthen its market positioning with an ‘Art & Speed’ approach. We wish them the greatest success!”

During the transition, Troy Lee Designs will assist 2 Ride Group portfolio brands with distribution across North America.

Troy Lee Designs is renowned for its quality and excellence in helmets, technical gear, protection, and sportswear. Originally celebrated for its unique helmet designs for top racers, the brand is distinguished by its unparalleled artistry, inspired by its famous paint shop, and reflected in its helmet and gear designs.

ARCA Menards Series at Elko Speedway: Shore Lunch 250 Presented by Dutch Boy Pre-race Notes

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Official Release
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ARCA Menards Series
The Race: Shore Lunch 250 Presented by Dutch Boy
The Place: Elko Speedway
The Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024
The Time: 9 pm ET / 8 pm CT
TV: Live, FS1 / FloRacing; 9 pm ET / 8 pm CT
Distance: 250 Laps / 93.75 Miles

  • The Shore Lunch 250 Presented by Dutch Boy will serve as the 12th race of the 20 scheduled for the ARCA Menards Series in 2024. It will be the tenth time the ARCA Menards Series has raced at the 0.375-mile oval.
  • Andres Perez (No. 2 Max Siegel Inc. Chevrolet) extended his lead in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings to 48 points, now over his Rev Racing teammate Lavar Scott (No. 6 Max Siegel Inc. Chevrolet), following his second-place finish in last Saturday night’s race at Salem Speedway. Perez has four career second-place finishes, including in each of the two most recent series races at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and at Salem. He finished fifth last year at Elko. Scott will be making his first start at Elko on Saturday.
  • Eden Prairie native William Sawalich (No. 18 Starkey/SoundGear Toyota) will look to improve upon his second-place finish at Elko Speedway in 2023. Sawalich has four ARCA Menards Series victories in 2024, including last weekend at Salem. Sawalich’s other victories have come at Phoenix Raceway in April, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Berlin Raceway in June. He has won eight of his 20 career ARCA Menards Series starts.
  • Greg Van Alst (No. 35 Zaki Ali Personal Injury Attorney / CB Fabricating Ford) dropped to third in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings following an uncharacteristic 17th-place finish at Salem. Van Alst will make his 50th career ARCA Menards Series start on Saturday. The 2023 winner at Daytona International Speedway has scored five top-five finishes and 24 top-ten finishes, including an eighth-place finish in his only career start at Elko Speedway in 2022.
  • Isabella Robusto (No. 55 Yahoo! Toyota) will return to the ARCA Menards Series for the first time since she finished sixth in her series debut at Phoenix Raceway. Robusto has made several appearances in the ARCA Menards Series East and West since then, including runner-up finishes in the East race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and the West race at Irwindale Speedway on July 4. She led 58 laps in the July 6 race at Irwindale and was 29 laps away from scoring her first career series victory when a cut tire sent her to the turn one wall and to the sidelines.
  • Reigning ARCA Menards Series West champion Sean Hingorani (No. 20 Fidelity Capital Toyota) will make his third ARCA Menards Series start of 2024. Hingorani, who is currently second in the West standings to Tyler Reif by just five points, finished fifth at Phoenix Raceway and matched his career-best finish, third, at Berlin Raceway in his only other starts this season.
  • Previous ARCA Menards Series winners at Elko Speedway include Brennan Poole (2012), Frank Kimmel (2013), Grant Enfinger (2014), Austin Theriault (2017), Gus Dean (2018), Chandler Smith (2019), Corey Heim (2021), Sammy Smith (2022), and Jesse Love (2023).
  • No driver has scored their first career ARCA Menards Series victory at Elko Speedway.
  • The ARCA Menards Series track qualifying record at Elko Speedway was set in 2014 by Justin Haley at 14.282 seconds/94.525 miles per hour.
  • The ARCA Menards Series track race record at Elko Speedway was set in 2012 by Brennan Poole at 74.090 miles per hour.
  • There will be two five-minute breaks for teams to perform service at or near lap 75 and lap 175. Teams can change tires and add fuel during the same stop, but not simultaneously. Teams can have a maximum of six tires in the pit stall.
  • Should the race need to be extended into overtime, there will be unlimited attempts at a two-lap “green-white-checkered” finish. If the caution is displayed after the white flag is displayed, there will be unlimited attempts at a one-lap “green and white together” finish.

About ARCA
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).

About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states. Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building. You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more. To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture. Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries. And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more.

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too! For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

Wyatt Coffey claims 2024 Summer Shootout Bandolero Bandit championship

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Official Release
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Wyatt Coffey poses with his Summer Shootout championship belt after capturing the Bandolero Bandits championship Tuesday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

CONCORD, N.C. (July 31, 2024) – Wyatt Coffey’s spectacular summer just keeps getting better.

On Tuesday evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the finale of the annual Summer Shootout series, Coffey claimed the Bandolero Bandits championship with a thrilling drive to his eighth victory of the series.

It is the first Summer Shootout championship for the 11-year-old from Waynesboro, Virginia.

“It’s so cool to say I won a Summer Shootout championship,” said Coffey, who won eight of 10 Bandolero Bandit races during the 2024 edition of the Summer Shootout. “So many NASCAR drivers have raced here. Hopefully someday I can be racing in NASCAR and say I raced here too.”

Winning Tuesday’s Summer Shootout feature was no easy task for Coffey despite winning the pole for the 20-lap feature. He was in the lead for a restart with 10 laps left but didn’t get a good jump and fell to fourth by the time a lap was complete.

Not to be denied, Coffey calmly went to work passing cars. With four laps left Coffey made the race-winning move to regain the lead. He cruised to victory by more than 1.5 seconds.

The victory is just another feather in the cap for Coffey during an incredible summer of racing, which has already included nearly 30 victories, a championship at Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Thursday Thunder series and a win in his debut race in the 600cc Winged Micro class at Millbridge Speedway.

“I just like passing cars,” Coffey said. “It’s so amazing to be able to do this and I wouldn’t be able to do this without all my sponsors. I’m so thankful for all of them and Mike Gordon, my mom, dad and poppy. This is just great.”

Wyatt Coffey would like to thank Team Gordon, his mom, dad, poppy, Tonya McCallister and MPM Marketing, along with his sponsors Coltman Farms Racing, Atlanta Paving & Concrete Construction Inc., ArborLife Professional Tree Care, United Tire & Auto, Bradley’s Trucking, R&M Automotive, Bennett’s Hometown Garage, Payne’s Enterprises, Todd Rental, Mt. View Auto Sales, Checkered Flag Graffix, CB Industries and Triple R Cattle.

About McCallister Precision Marketing

McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com.

CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD AMERICA: Going Back-to-Back?

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Official Release
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Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs looking to add second IMSA victory following CTMP win

DETROIT (July 31, 2024) – With the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R’s first win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship now in the rear-view mirror, next up – naturally – is trying to get its second.

The next round of the IMSA schedule – and the Corvette Racing program’s 300th all-time start – is a natural fit for both the back-to-back attempt and the Corvette brand as a whole. Historic Road America has long been a playground for Corvette race and production cars for more than 60 years, evidenced by thousands of testing miles and eight IMSA victories for Corvette Racing cars dating back to 2002.

Three of the first-year Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs will be in action across two classes in Sunday’s IMSA SportsCar Weekend event at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course in rural Wisconsin.

In GTD PRO, Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports will look to make it two straight wins after a 1-2 finish at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park a little more than two weeks ago.

Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims capped a stellar weekend for the team at the Chevrolet Grand Prix with a race win, class pole position and fastest race lap in the No. 3 Corvette.

They led teammates Tommy Milner – who recently won both rounds of GT World Challenge America at VIR in a Corvette – and Nicky Catsburg in the No. 4 Z06 GT3.R across the finish line for the program’s 71st 1-2 finish in IMSA … the most for any team in the series.

As the Corvette Racing factory program, the Pratt Miller team has recorded eight victories at Road America over the years – the most recent coming with the Corvette C8.R in 2020. That also was the last time the team finished off the class podium at the circuit.

In GTD, AWA is hoping to rebound after an unfortunate early end to its home race at CTMP. Orey Fidani and Matt Bell will again team in the No. 13 Corvette for their first race around Road America in the Z06 GT3.R. The track has been good for the pairing lately with consecutive LMP3 podiums the last two years, including a runner-up finish in 2022.

Despite being spun out and having to retire the previous race, Fidani continues to lead the Bob Akin Award standings, with the highest points-scoring Bronze driver at the end of the year earning an automatic entry to the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The IMSA SportsCar Weekend race at Road America is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. CT on Sunday, August 4. The race will air on CNBC from 6-9 p.m. ET with live streaming on Peacock inside the United States and IMSA.com outside the U.S. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions beginning with Friday afternoon’s opening practice at IMSA.com with the race call also on XM 206 and SiriusXM Online 996.

CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s always nice to come into a race having won the previous one. The entire team has worked very hard to get us into these positions, and it was nice to finally deliver the first IMSA win for the Z06 GT3.R. Getting a second this weekend at Road America will be very tough. Still we know that there is more to winning races that outright speed. We need to keep taking chances and being clever with our strategy to put us toward the front. From there, we know that anything can happen as we have seen with a few Corvette wins at Road America over the years.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “In terms of what the car can do, the Corvette is really good in cornering and on the brakes so with the heavy braking zones we should be good. Sections like the Carousel and the Kink should be quite exciting to drive. It’s a great track and fun to drive. It’s a lovely set of corners and a cool track to race one with a lot of places to overtake. It should be a good weekend.

“These to me are the type of tracks that I really enjoy. It rewards seat-of-the-pants, high-risk and high-reward driving. With multi-class racing, it’s an added craziness where you have to pass in corners where ordinarily you’d never think of it. Everyone on track has to respect each other and make it work. It’s what makes me get up in the morning and do what we do.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s really nice to do so much more racing this year. Going from the same platform across two different series, but being back in IMSA full-time and now adding GT World Challenge, this stretch of the year is always busy. It feels like one weekend leads right into the next one. You get very familiar with the car and really get a chance to get deep down into the details and manipulate the car in such a way with setup to get it exactly to where you want it to feel. Doing the two series gives you a chance to in some ways fine-tune your driving even more. From my perspective it’s all good. It’s busy for sure but this is something I’ve wanted to do for the last two or three years – doing more racing. Getting that opportunity, I’m excited for this stretch to do a lot of racing toward the end of the season. I feel like both programs are hitting their stride a little bit. We’re knocking on the doorstep with Pratt Miller of getting a win. Podiums are great but the team is pushing really hard for wins. So I feel like we’re close here. Obviously we’ve already had some great success with DXDT Racing at COTA, and we definitely want to keep carrying that momentum forward.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This part of the calendar that is the most challenging one but also the one I have looked forward to most. That’s because it is all of these cool tracks that I haven’t been to before yet, and now I get to experience them. The first was Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and that went quite well from the start. It was really enjoyable to push the limits on a new track from the get-go. We tested a few months ago at Road America, and that for sure helps. It’s very challenging and nice to push your own boundaries and be useful to the team and not a liability or someone that is holding back the team. It’s a nice challenge and I am enjoying it so far.

“Road America is one of those places like CTMP. It’s high-commitment with a lot of risk versus reward. If you go off, you’re going to have a big issue. When you haven’t been somewhere and you have to work yourself up to the limit, you need some time and we don’t have that time. So you need to push your own limits a lot to get there are quickly as possible. The Kink, the Carousel and those kinds of corners aren’t scary but tricky and places where you need to be brave.”

AWA PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Another iconic track on the IMSA calendar, I love going back to Road America. I had my first podium with Orey and AWA there back in 2022 and we managed to do it again last year, so we want to keep that pattern going. The whole team is highly motivated for this one, we put ourselves in a great position for an awesome result at CTMP before being taken out, and we all want to finish that job this weekend!”

OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “As a driver, Road America is a stop on the calendar that we all look forward to every year. It’s fast, it’s intense, and it requires full commitment and concentration from start to finish. This is a track that we’re very familiar with. We know we can do well here again, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s unforgiving by nature, but that’s exciting because it means we should have good opportunities that we can capitalize on.”

2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Points

GTD PRO Drivers Standings

  1. Laurin Heinrich/Seb Priaulx – 1955
  2. Ross Gunn – 1857
  3. Ben Barnicoat/Jack Hawksworth – 1835
  4. Alexander Sims/Antonio Garcia – 1774
  5. Bryan Sellers/Madison Snow – 1679
  6. Nicky Catsburg/Tommy Milner – 1676

GTD PRO Teams Standings

  1. No. 77 AO Racing – 1955
  2. No. 23 Heart of Racing Team – 1857
  3. No. 14 Vasser Sullivan – 1835
  4. No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 1774
  5. No. 1 Paul Miller Racing – 1679
  6. No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 1676

GTD PRO Manufacturers Standings

  1. Porsche – 2001
  2. Aston Martin – 1892
  3. Lexus – 1879
  4. Chevrolet – 1859
  5. McLaren – 1743

GTD Drivers Standings

  1. Philip Ellis/Russell Ward – 2090
  2. Patrick Gallagher/Robby Foley – 1750
  3. Parker Thompson – 1648
  4. Mikael Grenier/Mike Skeen – 1521
  5. Albert Costa Balboa/Manny Franco – 1508
  6. Matthew Bell/Orey Fidani – 1283

GTD Teams Standings

  1. No. 57 Windward Racing – 2090
  2. No. 96 Turner Motorsport – 1750
  3. No. 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsport – 1521
  4. No. 34 Conquest Racing – 1508
  5. No. 12 VasserSullivan – 1455
  6. No. 13 AWA – 1283

GTD Manufacturers Standings

  1. Mercedes-AMG – 2185
  2. Lexus – 1788
  3. Aston Martin – 1765
  4. Lamborghini – 1729
  5. Porsche – 1721
  6. Chevrolet – 1518

Corvette Racing at Road America (wins in bold)

2002

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Oliver Gavin – 2nd in GTS (Fellows pole; Gavin fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins – 1st in GTS

2003

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins – 5th in GTS (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2004

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GTS (Beretta pole, fastest race lap)

2005

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1 (Gavin pole, Beretta fastest race lap)

2006

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 1st in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 2nd in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2007

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 2nd in GT1 (Magnussen pole, fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GT1

2008

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 3rd in GT1 (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2009

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell – 3rd in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 6th in GT2

2010

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Johnny O’Connell – 4th in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT2 (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2011

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner – 14th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 5th in GT

2012

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 4th in GT

2013

No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 2nd in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 3rd in GT

2014

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 7th in GTLM

2015

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 7th in GTLM

2016

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM (5th to 1st in final 15 minutes)

2017

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 5th in GTLM

2018

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2019

No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 6th in GTLM (Gavin pole, Milner fastest race lap)

2020

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 1st in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2021

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GTLM (Taylor pole)

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 3rd in GTLM (Milner fastest race lap)

2022

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 3rd in GTD PRO

2023

No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 3rd in GTD PRO

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Discover Grace with AMG Used Cars for Sale

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SM
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Photo by Dekler Ph on Unsplash

The Mercedes AMG is one of the most prestigious manufacturers with a rich history of successfully becoming a highly esteemed luxury brand. It was founded by Erhard Melcher and Hans Werner Aufretch and they did not just bring their vision to fruition, but have continuously exceeded in the luxury motorsport industry.  AMG cars rapidly gained popularity once they hit the racing tracks and picked this two-man show up a notch. The first major milestone was in 1971 when the Mercedes AMG SEL 6.8 won second place in racing and word spread about a new competitor in town. Slowly but surely, AMG climbed the ladder of high-end automotive excellence and released better models each time. 

During the 1980s, Mercedes AMG became a pioneer in itself because it invented a unique form of engine manufacturing. Soon after, the company was winning up to 50 DTM car racing victories. Next came further expansion through a cooperation contract with Daimler-Benz AG and this was the start of Mercedes AMG restlessly tumbling into success. This motorsport company continuously pushed the boundaries of tailored superiority when it came to making fast cars. 

Experience Unparalleled Performance:

This manufacturer’s unique engines are not a one-hit-wonder, rather, each model has a meticulously engineered body being run on sheer power. These vehicles have such automotive efficiency that some would even say they have produced some of the best models in the world. 

These cars not only attain speed but also maintain excellent performance with precise road handling that makes every turn worthwhile. Driving an AMG car is not a simple task; it is an entire experience that engulfs you with luxury. Such an ambiance will have you wanting to travel everywhere in your new Mercedes AMG. 

SAT Japan AMG Cars Top Picks:

AMG cars have an air about them that makes every head turn when you drive down the road. The extensive traditional heritage of luxury cars can be seen when you step inside any of the models, justifying every penny you will spend on these vehicles. The interior ensures comfort no matter how long or fast the drive may be. Such cutting-edge technology is not an everyday phenomenon to come by, so you will constantly experience being set apart from the crowd, in the best way possible! However, this makes for immense relatability with other Mercedes AMG drivers, because there exists a passionate community of petrolheads that rave about the top models such as Mercedes AMG GTR, Mercedes AMG C63 W204 and Mercedes AMG A45 S.

SAT Japan Makes it Simpler:

SAT Japan holds a plethora of well-maintained and top-quality used AMG cars for sale which will have you driving with grace in no time. SAT Japan is the ultimate destination for those who are searching for upper-end cars but do not want to break the bank. Now you can pursue your dreams of acceleration from the comfort of your home through SAT Japan’s user-friendly database of AMG cars for sale. Not just this, SAT Japan’s talented experts strive to simplify the entire process of purchasing your AMG automobile.

Why Buy My Car Used:

Were you aware that once you drive off the dealership with a brand-new vehicle, its value drops significantly right then? The depreciation makes buying AMG used cars for sale is more attainable and less like a far-fetched dream you would work years to achieve. Better yet, you can be a Mercedes AMG owner immediately with SAT Japan’s simple and convenient financing options, which will give you the flexibility of choosing what payment plan you would like to follow. SAT even has the option of extending your payment over a 24-month installment plan, so you do not have to arrange an enormous sum immediately. 

SAT takes care of the entire purchasing process from the beginning until you cross the finish line with your newly purchased car. Experts in your locality will handle all the technicalities of the shipment process and guide you through the documentation you need. 

Since AMG vehicles are to be transported with care, SAT Japan offers the unique feature of getting your car transported individually in their single-car carrier service. This maintains the quality of your luxury vehicle and helps avoid any unwanted damage to your sportscar. 

SAT Japan offers incredible deals on Mercedes AMG used cars for sale which will bump up your lifestyle to the next level. Steer clear of endless trips to the dealership and getting bum deals for a large sum. Instead, experience the luxury you ought to have to be a Mercedes AMG car owner and have your vehicle delivered to your doorstep.

New: “Hendrick Motorsports” – The official 40th anniversary book covering the team’s entire history

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Official Release
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HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS: 40 YEARS
By Ben White ∙ Publishing October 22, 2024

“Spanning forty years and more than three hundred victories, the contributions of countless people have built Hendrick Motorsports into the greatest team in NASCAR history. This book is made up of their stories”

  • Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, from the foreword

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hendrick Motorsports with this officially licensed history featuring stunning photography, including rare images from the archive of the 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions.

Rick Hendrick built on a successful career in the retail automotive business to launch NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports in 1984. Over the ensuing four decades, it has become one of the most successful and high-profile teams in the sport’s long history. Competing in the elite NASCAR Cup Series, as of 2023, the team had posted the most points-paying wins and the most championships.

Hendrick Motorsports’ driver roster is a who’s who of the sport’s greats, including NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Today the team fields four drivers: William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Cup champions Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Hendrick Motorsports even fielded a team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023!

Hendrick Motorsports: 40 Years relates the team’s incredible history through 40 stories focused on team milestones since its founding in 1984. Stories and highlights include:

  • The first win at Martinsville that saved the team
  • Involvement with the motion picture “Days of Thunder”
  • The dominance of Jeff Gordon and the Rainbow Warriors
  • The team’s historic 1-2-3 finish at the 1997 DAYTONA 500
  • The record-tying seven championships of Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus
  • Hendrick Motorsports and the Earnhardts
  • Becoming the first team to reach 300 wins at NASCAR’s highest level
  • The ground-breaking Garage 56 Le Mans program

Authored by long-time NASCAR journalist Ben White, with a foreword by Jeff Gordon and afterword by Rick Hendrick, the 200-page book includes images from top NASCAR photographer Nigel Kinrade and from Hendrick Motorsports’ archive. As the official 40th anniversary book covering the team’s entire history, Hendrick Motorsports: 40 Years is the ideal retrospective.

Author Ben White attended his first NASCAR Cup Series race in 1972 at Darlington, South Carolina, at age 11. The Clinton, North Carolina, native drove his own race cars on a few local short tracks in the late 1970s later joining Richard Childress Racing as a crew member in 1980. White started writing about NASCAR in 1983 for the Lexington Dispatch (NC) newspaper, and he continues to write for that publication today, as well as North Carolina newspapers in Fayetteville, Kinston, Burlington, and Asheboro. From 1989 until 2010, he was a staff writer, managing editor, and senior editor of NASCAR Illustrated Magazine and managing editor of the American Racing Classics book series from 1991 to 1994. White has authored numerous NASCAR books, including Motorbooks’ NASCAR Then and Now, NASCAR Racers, NASCAR Legends, and 20 Years of Hendrick Motorsports. White resides in Salisbury, NC.

Publishing October 22, 2024 ∙ Hardcover, 200 pages ∙ $40.00 US, $53.00 CAN ∙ ISBN: 9780760391235

https://www.quarto.com

Lotus Technology Nominated for Reuters Sustainability Awards 2024

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Official Release
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The Company is a finalist in Reuters Sustainability Awards 2024 in the Business Transformation category and the Net Zero: Operations Transformation category

NEW YORK, July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lotus Technology Inc. (“Lotus Tech” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: LOT), a leading global luxury electric vehicle maker, has today announced it becomes a finalist in two categories in Reuters Sustainability Awards 2024.

Reuters Sustainability Awards, now in their 14th year, are the world’s leading awards celebrating leadership in sustainable business. These awards recognize strategies that deliver tangible impacts on business, society, and the environment.

The nomination of Lotus Tech as a finalist in the two categories of both business and operations transformation demonstrates the global recognition of the Company’s holistic approach to sustainability.

Since 2018, Lotus has committed to its Vision80 Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at business transformation and electrification. The Company has launched three electric vehicles and delivers to customers globally, including its hypercar Evija, its hyper-SUV Eletre, and hyper-GT Emeya. The Company is targeting carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2038, while also advancing initiatives that promote social responsibility and business integrity. It has utilized 100% renewable energy in selected offices and installed solar power in the Lotus Global Smart Factory, which has been certified as a Green Factory. It was also recognized as a supporter of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

“As a pioneer in the sustainable luxury mobility, Lotus Tech is poised to drive social change and address environmental priorities through sustainable innovation and operations,” said Lotus Tech Chairman of ESG Committee Mr. Alexious Lee. “Reuters’ recognition validates our comprehensive sustainability strategy and the significant progress we have made. We are honored by this acknowledgment and remain dedicated to a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable future.”

To learn more about Lotus Tech’s ESG strategy and achievements, download the ESG report here: https://ir.group-lotus.com/environmental-social-governance

About Lotus Technology
Lotus Technology Inc. has operations across the UK, the EU and China. The Company is dedicated to delivering luxury lifestyle battery electric vehicles, with a focus on world-class R&D in next-generation automobility technologies such as electrification, digitalisation and more. For more information about Lotus Technology Inc., please visit www.group-lotus.com.

Honda 0 Series Concept Model, Saloon, Wins “Red Dot: Best of the Best 2024” Award in Red Dot Award: Design Concept

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Official Release
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TOKYO, July 31, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – Honda today announced that the Saloon, the flagship concept model for the Honda 0 Series, the new Honda EV series, has been awarded the ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best 2024’ award, in the Design Concept competition of the Red Dot Design Award, one of the most respected design awards in the world. The Space-Hub, another concept model of the Honda 0 Series, was named a Red Dot winner in the same competition.

Representing the major transformation of Honda under its redefined Global Brand Slogan, The Power of Dreams, and its approach to electrification, the Honda 0 Series made its world debut in the U.S. at CES 2024 in January of this year. The Saloon is positioned as the flagship concept model among Honda 0 Series models, embodying a new approach to Honda EV development – Thin, Light, and Wise – that Honda is pursuing to create new value for EVs.

Key design features

Featuring a one-motion form (styling characterized by a line rising smoothly from the front to the rear) and a low & wide design, the exterior styling of the Saloon expresses the suppleness and dynamism of the vehicle. The upright design of the side glass creates an expansive side panel while the shape narrows toward the side sills to accentuate the tires.

The interior features a simple and intuitive human-machine interface (HMI) that provides a sophisticated and seamless user interface (UI). The sporty styling with low vehicle height, sets the Saloon apart from other vehicles at first glance, realizing not only a seductive design, but providing an interior space that is more spacious than what people can imagine from the exterior appearance.

The Space-Hub is a concept model that represents Honda’s “M/M concept(2)” and the new value of EVs as a “space” for people that Honda wants to realize in the future. Realizing a spacious cabin and excellent visibility based on the “Thin, Light, and Wise” development approach, the Space-Hub offers a flexible space that immediately accommodates what the users want to do and becomes a hub that connects people to people and people to society, generating mutual resonance with each other.

Key design features

Based on the Honda 0 Series design concept, “The Art of Resonance,” the exterior design features bold and pure proportions, evoking new perspectives in people from the first glance.

As with the case of the Saloon, the interior of the Space-Hub features a simple and intuitive human-machine interface (HMI), and at the same time, the M/M concept fitting the EV era has been pursued to realize an overwhelmingly large cabin space with a high degree of freedom and outstanding occupant comfort.

Comments by Toshinobu Minami, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Design Center, Honda R&D Co., Ltd.: “We are pleased to be awarded the world-renowned Red Dot Award in the Design Concept competition, in addition to the awards we received in the Product Design competition, announced in April. We designed the Saloon, named the “Best of the Best,” as a model that represents the major transformation of Honda, with the theme of achieving a “resonance with the environment, society and customers” and with an original design that differentiates the Saloon from other models from the first glance. We believe these awards are the result of receiving a high evaluation both for the design and the new value Honda offers. Honda will continue to create and offer mobility products that bring surprise and excitement to people’s daily lives.”

Honda 0 Series Brand Website: https://0.honda/en/

(1) The Red Dot Award was founded in 1955 and has become one of the most respected design awards worldwide. The award is administered by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany.
(2) The M/M (Man Maximum, Machine Minimum) concept is the foundation of Honda car design, which calls for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components to increase the efficiency of the space inside the vehicle.

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/92027/

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