PWC: O'Gorman joins HPD/Shea Racing program

Honda Performance Development announced at the Performance Racing Industry in Indianapolis that Shea Racing will expand the team's Pirelli World Challenge racing effort in 2017, fielding reigning B-Spec champion Tom O'Gorman in a new Honda Civic Si in the TCA category, while continuing to run a pair of Touring Car-class Honda Accords for drivers Shea Holbrook and Jason Fichter.

The all-new 2017 Honda Civic Si, featuring exclusive racing parts developed by HPD and its partners, will also be available to Honda Racing Line customers who wish to build and race their own cars.

Shea Racing, operated by owner/driver Holbrook, is a veteran Honda racing team, having successfully run two Accords in the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge. Holbrook is looking forward to adding the 2017 Civic Si and Tom O'Gorman to the Shea Racing stable.

"Coming up through the grassroots levels to pursue a career in professional motorsports – all in Hondas – makes us feel deeply rooted to the brand," Holbrook said. "Honda's passion, reliability, support and proven trackside performances have been the key reasons why Shea Racing has built a business as a Honda team for seven consecutive years. We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Honda and HPD through our Accord program, and add the 2017 Civic Si next season."

O'Gorman joins Shea Racing after partnering with HPD last year to race a 2016 Honda Fit in Pirelli World Challenge TCB class, winning the Drivers' Championship.

The 2017 Honda Civic Si development car made its debut last weekend at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill (pictured above), where it completed the grueling endurance event, despite contact with another vehicle during the overnight hours.

Development drivers Holbrook and O'Gorman, along with several HPD associates, drove the new Civic at Thunderhill, and were thrilled with the car's performance.

"The car was amazing throughout the '25 Hours' race. We were able to make great strides in the car's development, turning faster and faster laps throughout the race, and finish without a single mechanical issue," O'Gorman said. "It was a fantastic learning opportunity and an impressive debut for the new car, I can't wait to get behind the wheel for the upcoming 2017 Pirelli World Challenge season!"

Following the SEMA debut of the 2017 Civic Si "Body-In-White" bare-bones chassis that removes the costly and time-consuming process of converting a production vehicle to a race-ready car, HPD is eager to show the completed product, a race vehicle in Pirelli World Challenge competition says Jeff Barrow, manager of HPD's Commercial Motorsports group.

"We are eager to see the 2017 Civic back on track," said Barrow. "Pairing with Shea Racing and driver Tom O'Gorman will give us an excellent chance to win races and gather great feedback as we continue to develop Civic racing parts for our customers."