CarBahn Motorsports with Peregrine Racing christened the return to racing with a win at the Advent Health 120.
The team prevailed through tumultuous adversity, sweeping the race weekend with a pole position, a new race lap record and a win. The two-hour sprint race featured sweltering heat, a red flag due to lightning and torrential downpours of rain. It was all worth it, as the checkered flag fell over the 35-car MICEHLIN Pilot Challenge field a sixth-month break in the 2020 calendar ended.
Tyler McQuarrie settled back into his rhythm with ease, earning the Motul Pole Award for the No. 39 Audi R8 GT4 EVO. His stellar race start called for an encore after a 50-minute red flag due to lightning in the area. Once the course was green again, he continued creating a gap between the No. 39 Audi and its competition. McQuarrie pitted while leading for the handoff to Jeff Westphal.
Westphal entered the track in first place as a light rain began to fall on first half the track. He showcased the strength of the new Audi R8 GT4 EVO kit setting a new Sebring International Raceway race-lap record of 2:11.779. Without falter, Westphal drove the No. 39 through the changing weather conditions to the checkered flag earning the team’s first win of the 2020 season.
The No. 93 took its first start of the season with Mark Siegel behind the wheel. He skillfully piloted the Audi R8 GT4 EVO through a clean start amidst the chaos of multi-class racing. As competitors spun and collided around him, he kept his cool, dodging the reckless cars with the look of ease advancing six positions.
Siegel handed the car over to Tom Dyer with 40-minutes remaining and dark skies looming over the first four turns. Dyer received the car in prime position to hunt down competitors ahead. He brought the No. 93 home in 16th earning solid points for the team and priceless driver development time for Siegel.
The next race for CarBahn Motorsports with Peregrine Racing is at Road America from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2. The series currently plans to host fans but the situation remains subject to change. For more information and ticket sales visit https://www.imsa.com/events/road-america/.
Tyler McQuarrie, Driver of the No. 39 CarBahn Motorsports with Peregrine Racing Audi R8 GT4 EVO
“We love this track, the CarBahn Audi is so good around here,” McQuarrie said. “We started with the pole position this morning and then lead almost every lap just like last year. In true IMSA fashion we had mixed conditions the whole race so it was really interesting balancing that. Jeff was able to hop in and did amazing. It was a shame we couldn’t finish under green. The team did great and I’m so glad to be back.”
Jeff Westphal, Driver of the No. 39 CarBahn Motorsports with Peregrine Racing Audi R8 GT4 EVO
“This win is huge for the team,” Westphal said. “A strong showing after the shutdown gives us all a little extra boost of confidence, as well as a nice finish for points in the big picture. I am so proud of every single member here in their work ethic over the last few days.”