Motorsports in Action Bring New McLaren Artura GT4 To 2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge
Race winning Canadian squad Motorsports In Action (MIA) will return to IMSA for the 2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge wit a brand new McLaren Artura GT4.
Led by veteran owner Eric Kerub, the driver line-up includes returning MIA driver and 2017 Daytona race winner Jesse Lazare along with up-and-coming GT4 race winner; Alex Filsinger.
Managing Director Carl Hermez resumes his responsibilities as the team boss after the team took an IMSA sabbatical last season, and will focus mainly on engineering and strategist duties.
To support operations, MIA brings on Coy Arbour in the role of Crew Chief, a seasoned professional bringing with him years of winning experience in multiple IMSA categories, SRO and the World Karting Championships.
According to Kerub, taking a year off helped MIA refocus its program which will bring ‘all previous lessons learned’ into the 2023 season with the goal of bringing home the Championship.
“I truly believe we are poised to have a shot at this incredibly competitive Championship,” said Kerub. “We’ve got a great pairing of drivers, a hand-picked crew of top-level racing professionals, and a proper race car.”
Although the team came very close to the top step in 2019 as IMPC runner-up Champions with Lazare and McLaren, the previous generation car has little to do with this year’s contender. Hermez attended the factory tests at Sebring to ensure the Artura GT4 platform was also built with ‘lessons learned’ and was not disappointed.
“Prior to making our OEM selection for 2023, McLaren informed us they built a car incorporating 5 years’ worth of our comments and suggestions” explained Hermez. “I had to see it for myself, and the Sebring visit confirmed their claims. We now have a car with equipment more in-line with the other OEMs in the field”
Lazare has unfinished business as 2019 IMPC Vice-Champion. “We came so close in 2019 that it was a disappointment when MIA wasn’t able to secure a follow-up season with my involvement,” said Lazare. “In hindsight, I think the timing is even better now coming in with a significantly more complete race car than its predecessor. I’ll give everything I have to get the team positive results at each race”
Coming off a strong rookie season in Pirelli GT4 America including a win at Indy, Filsinger is eager to make the jump into the IMSA paddock. “I am looking forward to building on the momentum this season with MIA. I believe we have everything we need to chase the championship this season, the right team, drivers, and a spectacular new car. Jessie is a force to be reckoned with, and I know I will continue growing as a driver to deliver results for the team throughout the season.“
Having taken delivery just days before Christmas, the team will be testing the car for the first time this month at
the ROAR followed by the inaugural race of the season at Daytona 5 days later on January 27, 2023.