Detroit-based Thaze Competition today announced that it will run a limited IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge schedule for the remainder of the 2023 season. Coming off an outstanding debut on the streets of Detroit, earlier this month, the Mercedes AMG squad will return to GT4 competition at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
There will be three further outings in IMSA competition for the team who finished third on its professional debut at the Detroit Grand Prix in early June. After CTMP, the #78 AMG will run in the four-hour race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September and at the season finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta the following month.
The driving lineup of IMSA veteran, Marc Miller and Toronto native, Michael Di Meo will remain unchanged. For the 32 year old Di Meo, the excitement and expectations have been significantly increased as he heads into what is his home event. “I am delighted to be back in the Thaze Competition AMG for my home race at CTMP. The support I have had up to now from every team member, the owners, my partners, and sponsors has been incredible. We had a great debut in Detroit and now I am determined to back that up on a track with which I am very familiar.”
Racing on the 2.46 mile, ten-turn home of Canadian racing has the feel of another local event for Marc Miller. The driver from Holland, Michigan, spent many of his formative years racing North of the border. “I spent nearly a decade racing almost exclusively in Canada, from open wheel to stock cars. CTMP has been part of my racing schedule more than almost any other track I have raced.” Miller is the defending Champion of this event having taken victory in 2022 with Eric Foss in an AMG GT4. “The track is a no-nonsense, high speed momentum track so you can’t leave anything on the table to have good pace there. I would love to defend the 2022 race victory alongside Michael aboard our Thaze AMG GT4 at what is simply one of the greatest race tracks in the World!”
For Thaze co-owner, Faisal Ahmad, the debut was a dream come true but will mean very little as the team returns to the intense competition of the Michelin Pilot Challenge. ”We couldn’t have asked for a better debut and we have to sincerely thank the entire Thaze family. To our partners, family, friends, and of course fans, for the overwhelming show of support during the whole event! The celebrations are over and now it’s time to get back to work, roll up our sleeves and focus on the task at hand. The competition will be ready and you can’t afford to rest on your laurels when you’re battling with the best of the best in IMSA. We are hungry and still have a lot to prove. No one on the team takes this lightly and we can’t wait to make our city and the Thaze family proud.”
Ahmad’s Canadian partner, Brian Makse, shares his belief that the hard work has only just begun. “We know that our competition is tough, but we’re ready to give it our all and show everyone what we’re made of. It has barely sunk in that we finished on the podium in our debut race, but that level of performance is a testament to the team. We’re grateful for the support of our sponsors and fans, and we’re keeping that Motor City momentum going into the Canadian round of the championship.”
Story courtesy of Dailysportscar.com.