Pataskala, Ohio (14 September 2015) – The IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship stages the penultimate round of the 2015 championship this weekend at Circuit of the Americas with the Lone Star Le Mans event. Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian will honor Justin Wilson as the team celebrates the life of the veteran British racing driver. Wilson passed away on August 24 from injuries he sustained at Pocono Raceway.
In addition to his open-wheel racing career, Wilson made 17 IMSA starts including 14 for Michael Shank Racing. Wilson first joined the team in 2006 and was a big part of the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona winning driver line-up for the Shank squad alongside John Pew, Ozz Negri, and AJ Allmendinger.
Wilson most recently participated in the TUDOR Championship for Michael Shank Racing at the 12 Hours of Sebring earlier this year when he teamed with full season Michael Shank Racing pilots Pew and Negri.
Michael Shank Racing will run a tribute livery featuring the British Union Jack flag on its No. 60 Honda-powered Ligier JS P2 to honor their teammate and friend. Wilson’s brother, Stefan, will be hosted by Michael Shank Racing as part of the range of different ways that IMSA will celebrate the life of Wilson.
“Beyond just a good guy and father, Justin (Wilson) could wheel a race car,” said Team Owner Mike Shank. “He finished first, second, and third for our team and we were truly the lucky ones to have Justin in our lives. I’m proud that he was my friend. Together with IMSA, we’re doing some really cool things this weekend to honor Justin and what he meant to sportscar racing.”
Michael Shank Racing finished fifth at Circuit of the Americas last year when the squad fielded the No. 60 Daytona Prototype. This year, the squad arrives to the Formula 1-grade facility with the Ligier JS P2 and the 3.427-mile circuit should suit the P2 machine well. The group recently completed a successful test at the track in preparation for Saturday’s 2 hour, 40 minute race.
The team finished fourth in the previous TUDOR Championship race at Road America after a huge effort to make the race in time following the discovery of a fuel cell leak prior to the morning warm up.
The COTA event opens with practice on Thursday, followed by additional practice and qualifying on Friday. The Lone Star Le Mans is set for an 11:35 AM CT start time on Saturday.
Several different fundraising efforts have been initiated for the Wilson family. The Justin Wilson Memorial Auction begins Sept. 14 on eBay. Sign up for updates at www.wilsonchildrensfund.com.
Contributions to the fund may be made at www.wilsonchildrensfund.com or mailed to: Wilson Children’s Fund, c/o Forum Credit Union, P.O. Box 50738, Indianapolis, Ind. 46250-0738.
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