Gimple finishes seventh in Continental Tires Sports Car Challenge

Before he even packed his bags to make the drive to his home track of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Continental Tires Grand Prix of Monterey, Compass 360R driver Kyle Gimple knew that his team faced an uphill battle in round three of the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSC) championship.

The track was expected to favor the rear-wheel drive machines that make up the better half of the ST class field.

“But, if we can get a top-10, that’s pretty much a win for us,” hoped Gimple ahead of the weekend.

Racing the No. 75 Honda Civic Si Cure NF with Jack/ CTF/ HPD along with co-driver Ryan Eversley, Gimple started the race from deep in the pack but made up ground early in the race. With a pair of early caution periods (on the way to seven total on the race) keeping the race from getting into a rhythm, Gimple focused on getting as much as he could on the restarts.

Gimple continued to make forward progress until another yellow flag saw him take to pit lane to hand the controls over to Eversley.

“The car was pretty balanced, I was really impressed with how well it was rotating through the corners,” said Gimple after his stint.

As the fleet of Mazdas up front fought for the lead, Eversley fought through a pack of fellow front-drivers and brought home the ‘best in class’ honors as he and Gimple look to make some traction in the points battle.

“It was a good weekend overall,” said Gimple. “Not only did we finish the best of any of the front wheel drive cars, it was seventh place so that’s a few spots even better than what we were going for so its good. The car handled well in my stint and I was able to

move up I think seven spots. The Compass 360R guys had a good stop and we I think made up a spot or two in pit lane which is key. Then Ryan was able to bring it home in seventh, which is better than we hoped for. We are getting there. It’s great to finish the race actually on the lead lap after having two tough races to start the year! Now we just need to keep that consistency up.”

Up next will be a trip to Lime Rock Park for the Memorial Day Classic and Round 4 of the 2014 IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Championship. The Laguna Seca round will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 on May 11 at 10:00 AM ET.

Sunday Management