Honda Collaboration Adds TCR Entry for Monteiro at Mid-Ohio

Honda Performance Development has joined forces with the Motorsports Division of Honda Motor Co., LTD., and JAS Motorsport to add a special entry to this weekend’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

The Honda Civic Type R TCR entry, running under the LA Honda World banner, will feature Pilot Challenge race winner Mat Pombo and WTCR driver Tiago Monteiro, competing in Honda’s ‘hometown’ race.

This unique entry highlights the achievements of the 10th Generation Honda Civic Type R TCR, which is powered by a JAS-modified version of the Honda K20C1 engine originally built at the Anna engine plant in Ohio.

Since 2018, the Type R has achieved more than 340 global wins and has been twice named TCR of the Year (2019 and 2020).

In North America, HPD has been successfully supporting the Civic TCR in both the Pilot Challenge and SRO’s TC America series. In its inaugural season, HPD driver Ryan Eversley won the 2018 TCR Drivers’ Championship.

The special lineup will join Eversley and Mike LaMarra to complete the two-car team for LA Honda World Racing.

LA Honda World will be joined by entries from HART and the Sebring race-winning VGRT squad. The event at the Mid-Ohio is a home track for Honda and HPD, with multiple facilities for research, development, and manufacturing all located in central Ohio.

A total of 39 entries, between the GS and TCR classes, are set for Saturday’s two-hour race.

“HPD is proud of the successful Civic racing programs, and all that has been achieved with the 10th generation Civic in North America and globally. We have come up with some ways to commemorate this special year for the Civic and are happy to partner with our Honda global family to celebrate the Civic in a fun and unique way,” said HPD commercial manager John Whiteman.

“It’s fantastic to mark the success of the Honda Civic Type R TCR with this fascinating crossover as WTCR- FIA World Touring Car Cup race winner Tiago Monteiro joins forces with HPD and LA Honda World Racing.

“To do it at Mid-Ohio, so close to some of Honda’s largest facilities in North America, makes it even more appropriate.”

“Tiago was the lead development driver on the first Honda Civic WTCC and gave the car its debut and its first podium, way back in 2012. He’s been a Honda driver ever since and so is the perfect driver to mark this occasion,” said Mads Fischer, JAS Motorsport TCR Project Leader.

LA Honda World Racing President Mario Biundo added: “The team and I are honored to add WTCR Champion Tiago Monteiro to our racing team and be an additional historical moment in the Honda Civic TCR legacy on our home turf in Ohio.

“Having a global star from Europe race with Pombo, Eversley and LaMarra is a significant testament to our team’s ability and the never-ending commitment of Honda being both global and national leaders in racing. The LA Honda World Racing Team is ready to make this moment successful.”