Team TGM Suspends IMSA Operation

Photo: Team TGM

Team TGM has suspended its racing operations, with the longtime IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge entrant set to skip the remainder of the 2020 season.

The 2018 GS class championship-winning squad had plans to field a pair of Chevrolet Camaro GT4.Rs for Matt and Hugh Plumb as well as Owen Trinkler and team owner Ted Giovanis for the full ten-round season.

However, Giovanis, through his foundation, has instead decided to shift his resources into COVID-19 vaccine research.

According to a statement from the team, the Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation, a leader in metastatic breast cancer research, is “leveraging its resources and knowledge” into “better understanding” the COVID-19 virus.

“We began 2020 very enthusiastic about our new relationship with Chevrolet, our new Camaro GT4.R race cars and looking forward to a run for another IMSA championship,” said Giovanis.

“The pandemic changed everything, as it has throughout the motorsports industry.

“Fortunately, with the JKTG Foundation we are in a unique position to extend resources to the COVID-19 efforts.

“One timely outcome of our shift in focus is a new JKTGF-funded project that examines the effectiveness of the various COVID-19 vaccines being developed.

“While racing is our passion and we intend to resume on-track activities, we are temporarily pausing our racing program.

“Work will continue back at the race shop, however, this will allow complete focus on COVID-19 projects and other breast cancer related research that can contribute to fighting this virus.”

TGM has been one of several teams to withdraw from Pilot Challenge competition amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 35 cars, down from the 51 that took part in January’s season-opener at Daytona, are entered for Friday’s Advent Health 120 at Sebring.

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