2016 December – Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America 2016 Season – Yearend Review
The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America Championship came to an end after the final event at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, December 1st – 2nd in Valencia, Spain.
It was Cincinnati native, Shinya Michimi, who took home the 2016 Lamborghini Blancpain ST North America title for Prestige Performance / Wayne Taylor Racing, representing Lamborghini Paramus. It was a dominant performance by Michimi who, in addition to winning the overall points championship, managed to earn six wins, six runner-up finishes, one pole position and six fastest race laps during the season.
Michimi, who had previously raced in Japan and Europe, had never raced in his home country and had to face the added challenge of running at different tracks, most of which he had never run before. The results achieved were truly remarkable, as this was also only the second year for Prestige Performance in the series. They set out at the beginning of the year with the goal of winning championships, and that’s exactly what they did. Along with Michimi’s championship, Prestige also took home the Pro-Am Title, the overall Team Championship, and Dealership Championship. With these results, there is no doubt that Prestige Performance dominated the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America series for 2016.
Michimi’s best results came at Watkins Glen and Virginia International Raceway (VIR), where he managed to sweep the weekend at both tracks, taking both wins. His other wins came at Laguna Seca in Round 2 and at Road America, where he took the win in Round 6.
- Shinya: “This was such an amazing year. It was such a privilege to get to work with such a solid team like Prestige Performance / Wayne Taylor Racing. Getting to work with legends like Max Angelelli, Ricky, Jordan, and Wayne Taylor, and having a sponsor like Prestige Performance Lamborghini Paramus, was a dream opportunity. I can’t say enough good things about this team, this incredible crew. They always gave 100% to make sure that we had the best car possible to race with. I really have to thank all the guys (and lady, the amazing Hali Money, the female engineer with the team), for all the hard work they put in both at the shop and at the track. It was also a privilege to get to work with such a truly gifted race engineer, David Wagener. And I have to also say a special thanks to Skip Faul, for being the voice in my ear this season, always keeping me informed and focused. Thanks also to Travis Houge for managing the team and keeping everything running smoothly, and to Chris Turner at Prestige for his tremendous support. I am so grateful to each and every member of this team. The tremendous teamwork is the reason for such a successful year. We all got along so well and worked so well together. I could not have asked for a better team. I also want to thank Lamborghini Squadra Corse for giving me the opportunity this season to run in LBSTNA, and I hope to continue to serve the brand into the future. And finally, thanks to my sponsors, family, fans and friends for their continued support in my racing career.”