TechSport Racing Dives Into 2023 in TC America and GR86 Cup

TechSport Racing Dives Into 2023 in TC America and GR86 Cup

TechSport Racing enters 2023 confident that they can win with the Subaru BRZ/ Toyota 86 platform. TechSport is the reigning Team and Driver Champions in TCA with the Subaru BRZ, so fielding two entries into GR86 Cup is a natural choice. Additionally, TechSport will return to TC America powered by Skip Barber with part of last year’s winning lineup still in place.

TechSport has been racing some iteration of the Scion/Toyota/Subaru platform since 2017, racking up numerous podiums, Team, Driver and Manufacturers Championships along the way.  This extensive experience makes them an overwhelming favorite in the 2023 season in both classes.  “We are excited to be in both GR86 Cup and TCA, we have such a talented driver lineup. We are fully expecting to be racing for the championship in both classes” states TechSport team owner Kevin Anderson.

Defending 2022 TCA Driver Champion, Gresham Wagner will be racing in Toyota’s GR86 Cup Series in 2023. Gresham debuted in TCA last year in the #21 TechSport Subaru BRZ after winning the MX-5 Cup Championship and grand prize in 2021. In 2022, he competed in both series finishing 3rd in MX-5 Cup and first in TCA. Gresham’s methodical preparation and steely nerves make him a top contender in cup racing. 

“Racing in a BoP Series was a unique experience with its own set of challenges and skills. I am looking forward to returning to a competitive spec series with TechSport Racing.  It provides me with another opportunity to prove both myself and the team can compete and excel in all environments and styles of racing.” says Gresham Wagner. Gresham will be racing the #5 car in GR86 Cup.

TechSport Racing will field a second GR86 Cup car driven by Spike Kohlbecker, a newcomer to the team. Spike has an extensive open wheel background having raced in Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and in the United States. Spike was the Vice Champion in the BRSCC Formula Ford series in the UK, before returning to the US to race in the 2020 US Formula 4 National Championship where he finished 3rd in the Championship. Most recently Spike raced in the Road to Indy USF2000 Series where he collected Rookie of the Year honors. Spike is no stranger to racing Toyota machinery – he was TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s Most Improved Driver in 2020. 

“I’m thrilled to pilot the #55 GR86 Cup car! I’ve been looking for a unique opportunity to expand my racing skills and the opportunity to work with TechSport Racing in this new TOYOTA GAZOO Racing series is something that I’m very grateful for. I know the TechSport team has the experience and leadership I will need as we compete in what I’m expecting to be a very large and extremely competitive field. I love a new challenge … and I’m stoked to work with the TechSport team and get in this amazing new GR86 Cup car! This is going to be an awesome year of racing!” 

TechSport’s TCA lineup remains otherwise unchanged. Devin Anderson, TechSport’s shop manager and longtime crew chief returns behind the wheel after a stellar 2022 season where he finished third in the Driver Championship. Devin began professional auto racing in 2021. In a true Ricky Bobby moment, Devin was able to hop in the #22 car in the second race at Road America, when its regular driver had a scheduling conflict, earning fourth place in his first professional race. He won the following event at Sebring. Proving he could win earned him a full season with the team in 2022 and he rewarded the team’s decision to put him in a car with nine podium finishes, including a win at Indy.

Devin confidently adds “I grew up building racecars and crewing our team cars.  I was an integral part of the Subaru BRZ’s build and I actively manage the TechSport TCA program during pro weekends.  This allows me to be dialed into the car in a way that most drivers are not.  I feel completely confident that I can translate that into a Driver’s Championship in 2023.”

Rounding out the TechSport lineup is Shaoyi Che, a JD student at the George Washington University Law School. Che completed his first professional season in the #23 TechSport Subaru BRZ in 2022. Shaoyi is the first Chinese driver competing in the SRO TC America series. While new to pro racing, Shaoyi demonstrated his talent and capability. By the end of 2022, his dedication to studying the data, learning from his teammates and simming each track resulted in consistent top 5 finishes, making an important contribution to the team.

TechSport owner Deborah Popolizio says “Shaoyi is an excellent racer.   The team is confident that he will be a regular fixture on the podium in 2023.”  According to Shaoyi, “Racing is my passion, and I will never stop learning.”

TechSport Racing is a professional race team operating out of Alton Virginia.  Since its inception in 2015, TechSport has amassed four Team Championships, three Driver Championships, one Crew of the Year and one Manufacturers Championship (Subaru).  TechSport is a family-owned business operated by Kevin Anderson, Deborah Popolizio and managed by Devin Anderson.