MONTEREY, Calif. – In the world of motorsport, moments where everything aligns perfectly are rare, but Jan Heylen and Luca Mars experienced just that on a recent Saturday at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The duo, racing for RS1, strategically capitalized on their team's expertise to secure a significant win in the Grand Sport (GS) class and overall during the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120.
"There are these weekends where it all comes together, and there are ones where you miss out. Today it came to us, and I couldn’t be more happy," said Heylen. His enthusiasm underscored the team's collective effort, marking a pivotal moment for RS1, which had consistently finished in second place at Laguna Seca over the past three years.
Coming into this race, Heylen and Mars were at the top of the GS class standings after two solid runner-up finishes at Daytona International Speedway and Sebring International Raceway. Mars earned the fourth-fastest qualifying time in the No. 28 Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS, maintaining that position through his opening stint.
The race took an exciting turn at the 52-minute mark when RS1's management called Mars in for a pit stop. This decisive move occurred just moments before the first of four full-course cautions. Heylen commented on the team's strategic prowess, saying, "The team killed it on the pit stops and with the strategy. That really helped us out today."
When the majority of the GS contenders made their pit stops under yellow, Heylen, fresh from his stop, reemerged from pit lane in the lead. From this point, he managed the race skillfully, thwarting his competitors amid three additional restarts.
The competition was fierce, notably from the No. 44 Ibiza Farm Motorsports McLaren Artura GT4, driven by Moisey Uretsky and Michael Cooper. However, a drive-through penalty assessed to Daniel Morad, who had contact with Cooper off-track at Turn 6, shifted the dynamics. "The restarts were very intense but a lot of fun," remarked Robin Liddell, who piloted the No. 71 Rebel Rock Racing Aston Martin.
As the final green flag waved, Heylen showcased his skill, leading the RS1 Porsche to a thrilling finish, crossing the line just 0.676 seconds ahead of Liddell and his co-driver Frank DePew. Completing the podium were the No. 54 Panam Motorsport Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, driven by Caio Chaves and Thiago Camilo.
Reflecting on their victory, Heylen expressed gratitude for the therapeutic nature of racing during turbulent times in his personal life, notably after the arrival of his twin sons and the destruction of his Florida home by Hurricane Milton. "Winning is even sweeter," he concluded.
Mars, a young talent from Pennsylvania, praised his seasoned teammate, highlighting the impact of their teamwork on his first victory in Michelin Pilot Challenge competition. "Jan is one of the best drivers you could have as a teammate and he’s helping me so much," said Mars, who had previously won the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Grand Sport X (GSX) title.
The podium celebration was a testament to the RS1 crew’s preparation and execution. With an incredible season start, Mars beamed with optimism about the future, stating, "It’s been an incredible start to the year, and I can’t wait to see how it keeps going."
Meanwhile, Liddell reflected on the surprising success of their No. 71 Aston Martin, which started the race 18th in class. "We’re amazed, to be honest with you. That’s way beyond our expectations for the weekend, and I’m absolutely delighted," he stated, emphasizing the unexpected thrill of their performance.
In other news at Laguna Seca, Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian saw their Hyundai Elantra N TCR cars dominate the TCR podium. This event showcased the ongoing competitive landscape of motorsports, as teams and drivers vied for top honors at one of the sport's most iconic venues.
Looking ahead, the success at Laguna Seca has positioned RS1 firmly in the championship mix, promising an exciting season as they aim to build on this momentum.