April 28-May 1, 2016: Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Laguna Seca: #1 Shinya Michimi, Prestige Performance, Lamborghini Paramus (Pro)
2016 Apr. 28th -May 1st Laguna Seca (USA) – Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America (Rounds 1 & 2)
Prestige Performance used quick driving and strategy to earn wins in both the overall and Pro-Am divisions in Race 2 of Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America Sunday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Shinya Michimi produced a breakthrough performance in the No. 1 Prestige Performance Huracán LP 620-2 Super Trofeo representing Lamborghini Paramus, earning a 1.918-second victory over Corey Lewis for his first overall Super Trofeo victory.
Michimi was presented the trophy for the overall win by New Automobili Lamborghini CEO, Stefano Domenicali, who was on-hand for the weekend in Monterey at his first Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo event.
“I’ve really got to thank all of my guys at Prestige Performance/Lamborghini Paramus,” Michimi said. “They put together a really good car all weekend. We’ve been right on pace, and we finally really brought it out in the race. To have a good race car is really important.”
Michimi, a Pro-Am championship contender in Super Trofeo Europe last season, took the green flag on outside pole, following Madison Snow in the No. 48 DXDT Racing entry. Snow had a clean start and gradually built a lead while Lewis and Michimi battled for second position. Lewis got the jump on the first lap, with Michimi following closely. At the 10-minute mark of the 50-minute race, a car went off course in Turn 10, leaving dirt on the track surface. Snow crossed the dirt and slid off course, opening the door for Lewis and Michimi. The two stayed within one-half of a second of each other over the next 30 minutes.
Prestige opted to have Michimi pit early, while Lewis stayed out, trying to extend his lead. Once Lewis pitted, Michimi then laid down some blistering laps, setting the fastest time of the race, to come out in front once the field cycled through the mandatory pit stops. After taking the lead, Michimi managed the race and his tires to bring the car home for the win.
“After the pit stop, our guys did a really good job timing it perfectly, and we were able to get out in
front and give me a good lead,” Michimi said. “From there, it was just kind of timing things. I didn’t want to push too hard and kill the tires. It was just keeping the gap at a safe distance.”
On Saturday, Michimi looked poised to take the victory in Race 1 of the season opener, when he had to serve a drive through penalty on what was deemed by race officials to be avoidable contact, when he tapped the bumper of the #77 car coming down the hill after the corkscrew heading into turns 9 and 10. “His braking point changed slightly on that lap, and I couldn’t get stopped in time and accidentally made contact with the bumper. It was certainly not intentional, but I understand the officials issuing a penalty for it.” This opened the door for eventual race winner, Corey Lewis, to make his way to the front and secure the win. After serving his penalty, Michimi clawed his way back towards the front of the field, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. He managed to bring the No. 1 Prestige Performance entry representing Lamborghini Paramus home in second overall, with a late pass on the #14 of James Sofronas.
Shinya: “We were really happy to take a 2nd place and then a Win this weekend. This is a new team for me, and this is only Prestige’s second year running the series, so this was a really good result for the team. Our goal is to win the championship, and this was a really good way to start the season. I really have to thank Prestige Performance / Wayne Taylor Racing for the opportunity, and the crew for all their hard work and for giving me such a great car. We will look forward to the next round, to try to continue to build upon these good results.”
The next Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America event will be June 30th -July 1st at Watkins Glen International.