Bridgestone Americas has announced its support for Team Honda Research West (THRW) at the 2023 National Auto Sport Association (NASA) 25 Hours of Thunderhill that took place from Nov. 10-12, 2023. THRW, which is made up of Honda associates who race and crew in their spare time, secured three podium finishes with the help of Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS tires. The NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill is known to be the longest closed-course endurance race in North America, and it attracts both amateur and professional sports car drivers from around the world. It is considered one of the most challenging endurance races in the nation.
Bridgestone teamed up with THRW and equipped all three of its race cars competing in the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Potenza RE-71RS tires, including:
- #25 2023 Honda Civic Type R (1st place in E0 class; 3rd place overall)
#24 2023 Honda Civic Type R (2nd place in E0 class; 5th place overall)
#22 2022 Honda Civic Si (2nd place in E1 class; 8th place overall)
“As someone who tests tires commercially, I am well-versed in what works in motorsports and the type of product that will help us get the most out of our performance in an environment like Thunderhill,” said Andy Hollis, Crew Chief, #25 and #24 Honda Civic Type R. “We chose the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS tires due to its consistent and long-lasting performance, which ultimately provided our 25 Hours of Thunderhill teams the winning edge.”
The Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS tire was launched in April 2022, and it is specifically designed for grassroots racing, with track day, autocross, and endurance racing drivers in mind. As the flagship Potenza product, the RE-71RS is dedicated to providing precision performance, delivering excellent lap times, enhanced steering and grip, and extended wear life. The tire is available in 38 sizes, ranging from 15 to 20-inch rim diameters in the U.S. and Canadian markets. It is a popular fitment for a range of vehicles, including Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ, Ford Mustang, Porsche Cayman, and BMW 3-Series.
