Luca Mars

Last updated

Luca Mars
KohR Mustang WGI24 01.jpg
Mars at Watkins Glen in 2024
Nationality Flag of the United States.svg American
Born (2006-03-07) March 7, 2006 (age 18)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge career
Debut season 2023
Current teamKohR Motorsports
Racing licence FIA Silver Driver.png FIA Silver
Car number59
Starts13
Wins7
Podiums10
Poles4
Fastest laps5
Best finish1st in 2024
Previous series
2023
2023
2022
2021
2020		 GT4 America Series
IMSA SportsCar Championship
Trans-Am Series
Mazda MX-5 Cup
F2000 Championship Series
Championship titles
2024 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge

Luca Mars (born March 7, 2006) is an American racing driver who most recently competed in the 2024 GT World Challenge America driving for Racers Edge Motorsports. [1] He is the 2024 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge GSX champion. [2]

Contents

Career

Mazda MX-5 Cup

In 2021, Mars joined the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup driving for Copeland Motorsports. He would have a best finish of third at Mid-Ohio and finished sixth in the championship.

Michelin Pilot Challenge

2022

In 2022, Mars would move over to sportscar racing to compete in the 2022 Michelin Pilot Challenge driving the No. 60 Ford Mustang GT4 for KohR Motorsports. [3] He would be joined by Nate Stacy to drive the car. For the final two races of the season at Virginia International Raceway and Road Atlanta, Mars would join teammates Billy Johnson and Bob Michaelian in the No. 59 Ford Mustang GT4. [4] Mars finished the final race at Road Atlanta on the podium in third alongside Johnson and Michealian.

2023

On January 4, 2023, it was announced that Mars would return to the series to compete in the 2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge driving the No. 59 Ford Mustang GT4 for KohR Motorsports. [5] He would be joined by Bob Michaelian as his teammate. Midway through the season, Mars joined Van der Steur Racing to compete in the TCR only event at Lime Rock Park, where he finished fifth.

2024

Mars returned to the series for a third season once again driving the newest Ford Mustang GT4 alongside Bob Michaelian. [6] He and Michaelian would have a season best finish of third at Virginia International Raceway and the pair finished 14th in the championship.

IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge

2023

Alongside his Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign, Mars would enter the Sebring races in the 2023 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge in the No. 59 Ford Mustang GT4 for KohR Motorsports. [7] He would have mixed fortunes with a win on his debut in race one, but retiring the following race.

2024

In 2024, Mars returned to the series for a full season campaign once again driving the No. 59 Ford Mustang GT4 for KohR Motorsports. [8] He would go on to have his most successful season with 6 wins, 4 poles, and 9 podiums to clinch the championship before race 12 at Road Atlanta. [2]

Racing record

Career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2020 F2000 Championship Series John Walko Racing400031437th
2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup Copeland Motorsports14000132106th
2022 Trans-Am Series Race for RP110112912th
Michelin Pilot Challenge - GS KohR Motorsports80101153017th
2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge - GS KohR Motorsports90011173016th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - LMP3 JDC–Miller MotorSports 10000842nd
IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge - GSX KohR Motorsports2101148025th
GT4 America Series JTR Motorsports Engineering 20000421st
Michelin Pilot Challenge - TCR Van der Steur Racing1000026028th
2024 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge - GSX KohR Motorsports11644932101st
Michelin Pilot Challenge - GS KohR Motorsports100001161012th
GT World Challenge America - Pro Racers Edge Motorsports1308011923rd

Complete Mazda MX-5 Cup results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrant1234567891011121314RankPoints
2021 Copeland Motorsports DAY
1
13		 DAY
2
9		 SEB
1
26		 SEB
2
7		 STP
1
5		 STP
2
4		 MOH
1
7		 MOH
2
3		 ROA
1
12		 ROA
2
8		 LGA
1
9		 LGA
2
4		 ATL
1
7		 ATL
2
4		6th3210

Complete Michelin Pilot Challenge results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassMakeEngine1234567891011RankPoints
2022 KohR MotorsportsGrand Sport Ford Mustang GT4 Ford 5.2 L Voodoo V8 DAY
SEB
13		 LGA
12		 MOH
4		 WGL
8		 MOS
LIM
17		 ELK
19		 VIR
22†		 ATL
3		17th1530
2023 KohR MotorsportsGrand Sport Ford Mustang GT4 Ford 5.2 L Voodoo V8 DAY
23		 SEB
17		 LGA
20		 DET
16		 WGL
DNS		 MOS
13		 ELK
2		 VIR
5		 IMS
10		 ATL
4		16th1730
Van der Steur RacingTouring Car Hyundai Veloster N TCR Hyundai 2.0 L Turbo I-4 DAY
SEB
LGA
WGL
MOS
LIM
5		 ELK
VIR
IMS
ATL
28th260
2024 KohR MotorsportsGrand Sport Ford Mustang GT4 Ford 5.0 L Coyote V8 DAY
8		 SEB
23		 LGA
14		 MOH
8		 WGL
19		 MOS
11		 ELK
4		 VIR
3		 IMS
12		 ATL
19		14th1920

† Mars received a post-race penalty and was moved to the back of his class

Complete IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassMakeEngine123456789101112RankPoints
2023 KohR MotorsportsGSX Ford Mustang GT4 Ford 5.2 L Voodoo V8 DAY
1
DAY
2
SEB
1
1		 SEB
2
18		 MOS
1
MOS
2
LIM
1
LIM
2
VIR
1
VIR
2
ATL
1
ATL
2
25th480
2024 KohR MotorsportsGSX Ford Mustang GT4 Ford 5.0 L Coyote V8 DAY
1
1		 DAY
2
1		 STP
1
3		 STP
2
4		 MOH
1
1		 MOH
2
3		 MOS
1
2		 MOS
2
5		 VIR
1
1		 VIR
2
1		 ATL
1
1		 ATL
2
DNS		1st3560

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References

  1. ↑ Dagys, John (March 25, 2024). "Veach, Mars Form All-New Lineup in Racers Edge Acura – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  2. 1 2 mrobinson (October 10, 2024). "Aghakhani, Mars Seal VP Racing Challenge Titles in Winning Style". IMSA. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  3. ↑ Dagys, John (January 24, 2022). "Former Champ Johnson to Make GS Return in KohR Mustang – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  4. ↑ "IMPC Official Entry List.pdf" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 25, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  5. ↑ Dagys, John (January 4, 2023). "Mars, Michaelian Set for Full Season in KohR Mustang GT4 – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  6. ↑ "KoHR Field New Mustang GT4 For Mars & Michaelian". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  7. ↑ "VPRC Pre-Race Entry List.pdf" (PDF). results.imsa.com. March 11, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  8. ↑ Service, IMSA Wire (January 15, 2024). "VP Racing Challenge Ready to Sprint into Second Season – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
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