LA Honda World Confirms Two-Car Civic Type R TCR Effort

Photo: Honda

LA Honda World Racing has announced a two-car, full season IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge TCR class campaign and will be among the first teams to debut the new Honda Civic FL5 Type R next spring.

Confirmed on Friday, Mike LaMarra will be joined by Will Tally in the No. 73 Honda Civic Type R TCR, with Ryan Eversley and Mat Pombo teaming up in the No. 37 entry for the full ten-round season.

The Southern California-based team will utilize the existing Honda Civic Type R TCR for the opening races at Daytona International Speedway and Sebring International Raceway prior to an expected April delivery date for the new-for-2023 FL5 model, which was announced earlier this month.

“We have always been deeply rooted and committed to Honda and HPD’s Honda Civic Race car program,” said LA Honda World President and race team principal Mario Biundo.

“Our team is celebrating its five-year anniversary racing in TCR and when I take into consideration where we are in timing for a new car, our veteran team and the highly experienced drivers we could put behind the wheel, I had to move forward with committing to a full year championship run.

“These four drivers have it and we trust the JAS Motorsport and HPD package will be the one to get us our first championship at the end of the year.”

The expanded program comes after a four-race partial season effort in the TCR ranks this year.

“Getting back to full time TCR competition with Honda and a teammate like Mat Pombo is a fantastic opportunity and I couldn’t be more grateful to HPD and L.A. Honda World for making this possible,” said Eversley.

“Not only do we have a great team, but we’ll be moving from the current Civic to the new JAS built race car and that’s very exciting as well.

“Mario has built a fantastic program and HPD has grown its TCR support program behind the scenes as well, so I think we’re in a great position to fight for a championship this year.

“Mat and I had a very strong debut as teammates at Road Atlanta and I think we’re only going to get better as we grow as co-drivers.”

Pombo added: “To have the opportunity to pair up with my buddy Ryan Eversley puts an extra special stamp going into this season.

“With the new Honda Civic R FL5 TCR car coming to the states to be developed and released this season for global introduction makes it an extra special and exciting year for us as a team as well.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John