Last weekend, Forbush Performance made its 2021 IMSA debut at Petit Le Mans competing in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series in their #6 Toyota Supra GT4. Driver Luke Rumburg competed for his first time in a GT4 class car and pro driver Tom Long made his debut with the team. 

Team drivers Long and Rumburg experienced their first laps for Forbush Performance in the IMSA GS Supra GT4 on Wednesday with the first of several practice sessions. When qualifying came around on Thursday, the team prepared intensely to have the pace to compete, and placed the car 12th on the grid of nearly 40 cars. 

“This past week at Petit Le Mans demonstrated how organization and hard work can truly pay off,” says Tom Long. “In Forbush Performance’s IMSA debut, we were able to achieve a top 10 result with flawless pitstop execution, superb strategy, and great performance from our Supra GT4.” 

The CMR Roofing and Construction and Zignyl Supra started the race in a respectable 12th overall at the hands of Luke Rumburg.  Over the course of the race, the car began to develop some handling issues, however Rumburg still delivered extremely competitive laps and the team worked tirelessly to put together an effective race strategy. The team managed to design a one stop strategy when most of the other teams only managed a two stop race, giving Forbush Performance an advantage. The one pitstop the team did have was executed flawlessly with the added element of a driver change, and were within a half second of the quickest pit stops. 

Series veteran Tom Long managed these issues superbly in the second stint of the race and brought the Supra GT4 in a strong 8th place in class and overall with a fastest lap within one second of the race and championship winners. This result gives the drivers great optimism for what the team can achieve next year.

“Our main objective for the 2021 Petit Le Mans weekend was to serve as a dry run for the team ahead of the 2022 season,” said team owner Matt Forbush. “We intended to make our presence known amongst the IMSA paddock and were aiming for a top 10. I believe we were hugely successful in both respects; we achieved a P8 finish without any missteps from the team and put Forbush Performance in a competitive place among IMSA competition.”

“We have a great team,” says Luke Rumburg. “We are ready for next season and I know we will have a winning car for next year after this experience at Road Atlanta.” 

The team is eager to continue working during the brief off season before the Roar Before the 24, one week before the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona to kick off the 2022 season in January. 

“I’m very excited to see what next season brings us, and it all starts in less than two short months,” says Tom Long. “We are already back to work.” 

“This served as a fantastic way to end the 2021 season on a high note,” says Matt Forbush. “With this result we are confidently optimistic for the 2022 season in GS class in IMSA.”

For team inquiries, contact matt@forbushperformance.com.