Pirelli Paddock Pass: Mason Filippi

Mason Filippi impressed in his debut with Copeland Motorsports in the last TC America round at Sonoma Raceway, including a win in Race 2.

This week in the Pirelli Paddock Pass, Filippi weighs in on the weekend, fills us in on his future plans in the series, and more.

How did the deal to race with Copeland at Sonoma come about?

“When Dean Copeland was taking delivery of the car at Mid-Ohio we started the conversation! He was awesome and easy to work with.

“Sonoma, being my home track, we were able to work out a deal to work with Copeland Motorsports. It was meant to be and everything clicked into place!”

What were you able to bring to the team with your previous experience with the car?

“It was a brand new car and there were a few things to learn and for everyone to get used to.

“It was awesome being able to help Copeland Motorsports get up to speed quickly with setup and differences in the Veloster N TCR car versus the Volkswagen.

“With experience in the car we were able to quickly get down to business and put fast times in.

“By Sunday we were dialed in and ready to go, we also worked with Tim Barber and TFB located at Sonoma who ran the Veloster weekend one at COTA.

“We had a great car by Sunday and that was all thanks to the hard work the team put in.”

Did the weekend meet your expectations?

“The weekend was great, I am grateful and excited to be back in TC America with Copeland Motorsports. The weekend did not meet our expectations 100%, but it is racing.

“There are ups and downs and it made Sunday’s win much sweeter as we were able to take home the checkers as a team.

“Saturday was very tough and a quiet ride back home after incidents in the race. We learned and the car was fixed up and ready to go for Sunday with a good amount of tension with the stewards going into the race.

“We started off with a clean race and finished in the top spot. Copeland Motorsports put in a huge amount of work and TFB was able to help us too get sutured up for Sunday.

“I am thankful for the weekend we had and the hard work these team’s go through to get the car back out and faster than before.”

What was it like returning to the TC America championship?

“TC America is a fun and exciting championship with sprint races and awesome competition.

“Being there for a few years the paddock, it’s like a home and everyone is friendly and it is great walking around in between races and being able to have a chat with competitors but also friends.

“I am happy to be back in the TC America championship as well as running in the Michelin Pilot Challenge with Bryan Herta Autosport.”

Do you have any plans of competing in TC America again this year?

“I have plans to run Portland and hopefully the rest of the season. The Veloster N TCR is a great car with a great team in Copeland Motorsports. I wouldn’t say just yet, but it is looking good.

“Finding and locking in sponsors are the hardest part, but we have great intentions to continue the rest of the season!

“And doing the math, we could have a championship battle at the end if all goes in favor. I hope to be back for the rest of the season and I can’t wait to see the fans and the teams out there!”