MC Racing’s Rolls the Dice and Reaches the Podium

April 16, 2023 (Las Vegas, CA) – Michael McColligan, driving the #36 MC Racing Mazda RX8 battled oil

temperatures and fire systems to finish P3 at Round 1 of the 2023 Hankook Tires United States Touring

Car Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

A new season always brings new opportunities and new challenges and MC Racing was excited to

partner with Tom Lepper again for 2023. The driving team of Michael McColligan and Tom Lepper will

be defending their Sportsman Class Championship. Michael McColligan had driving duties in the MC

Racing RX8 for Round 1 and the challenges started right at the opening practice. Just as McColligan was

getting up to speed the oil temperatures quickly spiked. The team was not able to find the root cause so

McColligan was forced to watch the gages carefully. In addition, the fire system inadvertently activated

covering the car and McColligan with retardant. “It was a tough start to the season and certainly

unexpected,” stated McColligan after a few tough practice sessions. McColligan was able to take the

race start but had to start very cautious, keeping an eye on critical engine parameters. McColligan

persevered and was running in P4 for most of the race moving up to P3 right at the end. “My crew chief

kept reminding me to call in the oil temperature every lap to keep things under control; I was able to run

lap time close to the leaders by the end of the race so I know we can be more competitive once we get

the problems fixed. Despite the setbacks I am really happy to bring home solid points for the team”,

summed up McColligan. For Round 2, Tom Lepper will be in the cockpit of his trusty Honda Civic where

he is always fast!

About MC Racing

MC Racing competes in the Hankook Tires United States Touring Car Championship aboard a Mazda RX8

with support from Idemitsu, Raybestos, Mazda USA, Mazdatrix, Racing Beat, Konig Wheels, Orafol,

Eibach Springs, and Napier Outdoors. For more information, visit www.mcspeedracer.com.