LAP Motorsports, a five-time winner last season in the ST class, has partnered with L.A. Honda World to form L.A. Honda World Racing and will campaign a pair of Honda Civic TCR cars in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge next year.

The program will be led by team principals Luis Perocarpi and Rob Ridgely, who both have a long and successful history in sports car racing and most recently led MINI to the ST manufacturer championship in 2018.

It is the first team to commit to the Honda TCR car for Michelin Challenge competition next year.

“Our valuable employees will grow significantly with the formation of the race team and will distinguish our operations putting L.A. Honda World in another category to separate itself among the highly competitive automotive market,” said L.A. Honda World president Mario Biundo.

“Our customers will sense the energy and focus we have when they come to our store and recognize We Sell, We Service, We Race Hondas – no other Dealer can say that at this point. I believe in win on Sunday and sell on Monday.”

The cars are currently in Southern California at the L.A. Honda World retail dealership and will begin testing in mid-November. Drive lineups for 2019 have yet to be finalized.