Q&A With K&N Racer Shea Holbrook About Her Upcoming Pirelli World Challenge Season

Shea Holbrook's race team and will field Hondas in the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge

Shea Racing will be fielding four Honda entries this season, Shea and Jason Fichter will compete in their Accords in the Touring Car category. The team will also campaign a pair of brand-new Honda Civic Si race cars in the TCA category.

Shea’s performance on track and her management and marketing skills off track have both brought new sponsorships to the organization as well as secured greater commitments from her continuing sponsors.

For example, just last month the team conducted a two-day test session with suspension partners KONI Shock Absorbers and Eibach Springs at Sebring International Raceway.

The team has also brought aboard a new sponsor, HeelToe Automotive, an online Acura and Honda performance parts specialist that also happens to be a knowledgeable K&N dealer.

On-track success plays a big part in sponsors' attraction to the team as well. In the seven years Shea Racing has competed in the series, the team has earned 11 wins, 27 podiums, seven pole positions and 11 fast laps in the touring car classes.

We were able to track down and chat with the always-in-motion Shea about her plans and thoughts about the upcoming racing season.

Sponsor Koni Shocks along with Eibach Springs supported Shea over two days of testing at Sebring

Shea Holbrook: Well, in all honestly, we were running a little warmer than we wanted last season. As in engine temperature. It’s primarily a tuning aspect so for this season we’ve worked on tuning and timing with regards to RPM. We run K&N’s air intake in the V6 Honda Accords which offers an immediate plug and play power advantage. But back to RPM, which is critical for our power band, using what’s a proven power advantage (air intake), and our guys’ mean tuning skills, we should be set for the season.

K&N: Which cars do you expect to be your strongest competition in PWC Touring this year?

SH: I could get into some trouble with this one! Last season, it was obvious we had a couple advantages though many disadvantages. This season we’re trying to narrow up on any disadvantages to aid in stellar competition. So, in short (which I never am!) the BMW and Audi are probably going to be the toughest competition.

K&N: You and some other teams build your cars from a bare shell in your own shop. Other teams compete with cars that are developed and built by the OEM manufacturer. How does that impact your efforts?

SH: I think the hardest component we’ll see will be garage built vs. manufacturer built in Touring Car. Motorsport is evolving toward manufacturer turn-key programs, which is awesome. It’s easier for the series with regards to the balance of performance and we pull in manufacturer support in a big way. Although, many customer/team businesses thrive on having the ability to work technical partnerships with say K&N Air Filters to build and fund their programs. I believe PWC is the best place to have the ability to race both programs at a high level in the most competitive environment.

K&N: Every driver has a favorite track, what’s yours?

SH: I always look forward to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. That place and I have so much good mojo. It’s difficult to be fast there, you’re hanging it all out there for those fast laps. It’s a balls-to-the wall kind of place that demands a lot of respect. Some of us refer to it as a ‘pre lawyer’ track.

K&N: You've basically doubled the size of your team for 2017. Tell us about the TCA Civics.

SH: We're pleased to be the first team rolling out the 10th generation Civic Si to compete in in the Pirelli World Challenge TCA category. We had 25 hours of durability testing in the Civic Si and the opportunity to battle against other manufacturers who will run against it in TCA last December at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Honda Racing/HPD and Eibach Springs.

This season in PWC will be a challlenge for Shea Racing with two cars in Touring and two cars in TCA

K&N: For 2017 you’re continuing with the Honda Accord and many of the same sponsors who supported you in 2016. Does that help coming into a new season?

SH: What I love about the Honda Accord is she makes you work for your results and when you achieve your desired performance the result and reward is just that much greater. With our new alignment with Honda Racing HPD and partners like BUBBA Burger, Lucas Oil, KONI Shock Absorbers, K&N Filters, and so many more we should have one heck of a season ahead of us.

K&N is proud to be a part of Shea Holbrook's racing efforts for the 2017 season. This will be a series you won't want to miss, so be sure to check back for updates as Shea and her team take on the rest of the pack in Pirelli World Challenge.