Porsche Penske Motorsport heads to round six of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship determined to continue its stellar form. The works team has unfailingly managed to claim a podium spot with at least one Porsche 963 at all races so far this season. Moreover, the outfit won the 24-hour races in Daytona and Laguna Seca. This puts Porsche at the top of the manufacturers’ leaderboard ahead of the six-hour race in Watkins Glen. Porsche Penske Motorsport currently ranks first in the team standings, with Daytona winners Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron leading the drivers’ championship.

The time-honoured races on the Watkins Glen International circuit are contested over six hours. In addition to the endurance classics at Daytona, Sebring, Indianapolis and Road Atlanta, this event counts towards the Michelin Endurance Cup, a special classification within the IMSA championship. At the first Watkins Glen race for the 512 kW (696 PS) hybrid prototype from Weissach last year, the No. 6 car driven by Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet crossed the finish line first. Shortly after the race, however, the vehicle was removed from the classification because the front skid wear was 0.1-millimetre outside the legal tolerance.

“Our Porsche 963 showed strong form last year in Watkins Glen. The circuit seems to suit us,” explains Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh. “In preparation for this year’s race, we went testing there with some other teams and manufacturers. From our perspective, the findings and results were good. I expect us to be at the very front again. We want to extend our lead in the championship and advance to the top of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.”

“Watkins Glen is the third major endurance event of the IMSA season. But at six hours it’s one of the shorter races,” says Jonathan Diuguid. The Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport adds: “Our Porsche 963 was extremely quick there last year. In Watkins Glen, we’re opting for the hardest tyre compound for the first time this season. We trialled it successfully in a test a few weeks ago. I think we’re heading into the race weekend with a solid baseline. We aim to further consolidate our overall ranking at the top.”

The race
The six-hour race in the US state of New York has its roots in the Grand Prix Watkins Glen, which was contested on public roads for the first time in 1948. Eight years later, it became a purpose-built permanent racetrack under the name Watkins Glen International. From 1961 to 1980, Formula One was contested regularly on the 5.47-kilometre course. At the same time, the endurance race became a regular fixture at the circuit, which features eleven turns and spectacular uphill and downhill passages.

To date, Porsche has notched up eleven overall victories at Watkins Glen. The course flows harmoniously through the forested and undulating landscape of the Finger Lakes, which lie close to the Canadian border. Fast and flowing with dramatic elevation changes make it a favourite among drivers. Like on almost all North American racetracks, Watkins Glen has very few run-off zones. This adds to the thrill for drivers and spectators alike.

Live stream of the race
Outside the USA and Canada, the race will be broadcast live over the full six-hour distance in a free stream on imsa.tv. The website scoring.imsa.com offers live timing. Round six of the season gets underway on Sunday, 23 June at 11:10 am local time (5:10 pm CEST).

Drivers’ comments ahead of the race
Mathieu Jaminet (Porsche 963 #6): “We’re coming straight from Le Mans to Watkins Glen. It’s been an eventful month. Exhausting on the one hand, but also very enjoyable in sporting terms. We get to spend a lot of time in the cockpit of the 963 – that’s always a pleasure. Last year we crossed the finish line first but were subsequently disqualified. So, we have a score to settle there. Looking at the past three IMSA races, it’s striking – our number 6 car has scored the most points. We want to continue to progress in the championship.”

Felipe Nasr (Porsche 963 #7): “The track at Watkins Glen flows wonderfully and includes some extremely high-speed corners. Our team is doing everything they can to optimally prepare for the event. We’re looking to continue our strong run. We’re currently leading the championship. That’s the reward for all our hard work. Another victory at the endurance race in Watkins Glen would be a dream come true. We’re doing our absolute utmost to stay at the top of the overall standings.”

Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche 963 #5): “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to drive the Porsche 963 on such a fast and stunning track. Unfortunately, our team didn’t go testing there. This means we need to learn as much as possible during the practice sessions to make up for our lack of experience. In that respect, the fact that there are only two of us sharing the cockpit is an advantage. We both get more track time.”

Tijmen van der Helm (Porsche 963 #85): “We spent two days testing with the other teams at Watkins Glen a few weeks ago. That’ll definitely help us start the race weekend better prepared than at other events. The Watkins Glen race is sure to offer us some good opportunities. Let’s see what we can make of them.”

Laurin Heinrich (Porsche 911 GT3 R #77): “I’m particularly excited for Watkins Glen. This track is very high on my list of dream circuits that I haven’t yet driven. It’s great to finally get to race there. After our recent class victories at Laguna Seca and Detroit, we’re heading to ‘The Glen’ full of confidence. That being said, the track layout is essentially the opposite of that in Detroit – so we’ll have to wait and see. We’ve always done well in the longer races, so I’m confident.”

An overview of the drivers and teams
GTP class (Porsche 963)
Proton Competition #5: Gianmaria Bruni (I) / Bent Viscaal (NL)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Mathieu Jaminet (F) / Nick Tandy (UK)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #7: Dane Cameron (USA) / Felipe Nasr (BR)
JDC-Miller MotorSports #85: Tijmen van der Helm (NL) / Richard Westbrook (UK) / Phil Hanson (UK)

GTD-Pro class (Porsche 911 GT3 R)
AO Racing #77: Laurin Heinrich (D) / Sebastian Priaulx (UK)

GTD class (Porsche 911 GT3 R)
Andretti Motorsports (#43): Jarett Andretti (USA) / Gabby Chaves (COL) / Scott Hargrove (CDN)
MDK Motorsports (#86); Anders Fjordbach (DK) / Kerong Li (CHN) / Klaus Bachler (A)
Wright Motorsports (#120): Adam Adelson (USA) / Elliott Skeer (USA) / Jan Heylen (B)

The schedule (local time, CEST -6 hours)
Friday, 21 June
13:25 – 14:55 hrs: Free practice 1

Saturday, 22 June
09:10 – 10:40 hrs: Free practice 2
15:30 – 15:45 hrs: Qualifying GTD-Pro / GTD
16:15 – 16:30 hrs: Qualifying GTP

Sunday, 23 June
11:10 – 17:10 hrs: Race