In preparation for the tenth IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) race of the season, contender Tyler Gonzalez looks forward to the two-hour long race at the 3.75-mile VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) this weekend hoping to turn his luck around. Throughout the season, Gonzalez has experienced a series of good runs all ending in bad luck. This weekend he will add another challenge back into the mix: simultaneously racing in the Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich championship.
“It might seem like too much driving in one weekend,” explained Gonzalez, who has been competing in both series for the 2022 season and has been pulling double duty driving for both Rory Van Der Steur Racing in IMPC and Copeland Motorsports in the Mazda MX-5 Cup on weekends where both series are attending. “I’m getting more track time which allows me the opportunity to prepare better come race day and take in more data.”
Gonzalez currently has two wins in the Mazda MX-5 Cup 2022 season and is looking to add a third at the upcoming VIR race weekend. With Gonzalez also competing in the IMPC series this weekend with co-driver Rory Van Der Steur, the duo is hoping to get the podium they’ve well-earned this year.
“We’ve had a different issue each race either with the car or with someone else taking us out,” added Gonzalez. “We know that the car is capable of a win, we’ve just gotten robbed of the opportunity the last few races.”
Gonzalez and Van Der Steur earned a third-place podium finish earlier in the year but are ready for their well awaited trip back to victory lane.
Tyler Gonzalez will hit the track at VIRginia International Raceway Friday, August 26 for practice in both the Mazda MX-5 Cup and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge classes. Splitting his track time 50/50 the rest of the weekend between the Idemitsiu Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BF Goodrich program with Copeland Motorsports and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, returning with Rory Van Der Steur as a co-pilot for Van Der Steur Racing, Gonzalez will participate in a qualifying session for each program and three races in total.
Stay tuned to the Tyler Gonzalez social media pages for news, information, photos and results from the event weekend. You can find him via his social media pages at ‘Tyler Gonzalez Racing’. To follow live timing or video, please visit www.IMSA.TV.
Photo Credit: IMSA