Mission accomplished – Team TGM scores top 10 finish at the Rolex 24
With the focus to finish the famed 24-hour race, Team TGM not only accomplished the task but took a seventh-place finish in the very competitive GTD category in the 60th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Team TGM tackled double-duty in Daytona – contesting the opening round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge as well as the Rolex 24.
The team used the same four drivers from the Michelin Pilot Challenge as the Rolex 24 – Ted Giovanis joined by Owen Trinkler, Hugh, and Matt Plumb.
Driving the Porsche 911 GT3 R to the finish was team owner and driver, Giovanis, “I did a lot of my driving early in the race, but there is one advantage to owning the team, I got to drive the final laps and take the checkered flag.
“The entire team did a fantastic job over this past 24 hours and in preparation for the event. John (Wright) called flawless strategy for us, and his Wright Motorsports crew, combined with our TGM guys were incredible throughout the race.
“Porsche has given us great cars both for the 24-hour race and the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series with the Caymans.
“I wouldn’t want to have shared this success in the car with anyone besides Hugh, Matt, and Owen. All three are accomplished drivers who are fast and consistent. They really are the reason for our race success both today and Friday.
“Both of my daughters are here, and I got to share this special day with them as well. Kristina works so hard for the team in many capacities, and she gets credit for this result every bit as much as anyone going over the wall.”
Next up for the team is a return to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series at Sebring in March.
Ted Giovanis
“This means a lot. We ran it last year, we had hopes of finishing last year, but that didn’t work out. But this year we no less finished but we did pretty well. We thought we always could, so now, when everything came together, we had the right thing. We had the team, we had the drivers, and I think everything just worked out. It’s a fantastic day for TGM.”
Owen Trinkler
“I’m so happy for Ted and everybody at Team TGM, John Wright, and Wright Motorsports. They got the win in GTD, and then we come home seventh.
“What an awesome day for Ted, what a weekend for him. Second place on Friday and then we finish up with a seventh and this is a true gentleman effort.
“I know some of this can be skewed a little bit in GTD where there are some really good drivers across the board but we did it with a true gentleman line-up with Ted being in the car and coming in so far inside the top ten. I’m so happy for him and the team.”
Hugh Plumb
“This feels unbelievable! It was such a goal for Ted and TGM, starting a year and a half ago to come here and to be able to finish.
“Obviously not finishing last year, unfortunately, it made us work that much harder to come this year and I’m just so over the moon for the guy that puts all this together, let’s us do what we do and that’s Ted Giovanis and Kristina.
“The team is such a huge part of it, TGM along with Wright Motorsports and to do it with my teammates from Michelin Pilot, what a cool thing. I feel like we just won the Indy 500, just super excited.”
Matt Plumb
“I’ve done eight or nine Rolex 24s and had a variety of finishes, but this is probably the best I’ve felt about finishing seventh in anything, ever. To be able to do this, complete this, and complete it in the top 10 for Ted and his family is so great.
“This was a dream of his to do and compete, not only did he compete, but he excelled. He went faster than he’d ever gone around this track during the race. He’s such an encouraging and motivating soul, and I’m just happy he was able to get what he wished for.”