Porsche Penske Motorsport will field two Porsche 963 prototypes in the top-tier GTP class. Customer teams JDC-Miller MotorSports and Proton Competition will tackle the six-hour race with an additional hybrid prototype from Weissach. Porsche will be represented by a Porsche 911 GT3 R in both GT categories.
The preview
Following victories at Daytona, Sebring, Long Beach, and Laguna Seca, plus a podium result in Detroit, Porsche travels to round six on the IMSA calendar as the championship leader. The two factory-run Porsche 963 racers finished first and third at Watkins Glen last year. With GTP vehicles reaching average lap speeds of nearly 214 km/h, Watkins Glen International is the fastest circuit on the IMSA calendar.
“After our strong performance at Le Mans, we head into the IMSA race at Watkins Glen full of confidence,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. “The track suits our Porsche 963 perfectly. We won in our 2023 debut season, and last year we finished first and third. We’re enjoying a fantastic run in North America and want to build on that momentum to take another step toward defending our title in Watkins Glen.”
“Watkins Glen is a real highlight for teams, drivers, and fans alike – nowhere else in IMSA does our Porsche 963 set such high average lap times,” asserts Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Racing LMDh. “The results over the past two seasons show how well this circuit suits us. I hope we can be back on the top step of the podium next weekend.”
“Our IMSA team is in top form,” says Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport. “Third place in Detroit was actually our worst result of the season so far. We were very strong at Watkins Glen last year, in both wet and dry conditions, and came away with the win. For the upcoming race, we’ll be running the hard Michelin tyre compound for the first time this season. It performed well during testing a few weeks ago on the Porsche 963, so we’re heading into the six-hour endurance race with confidence.”
Brazilian Felipe Nasr and British factory driver Nick Tandy take turns at the wheel of the No. 7 Porsche. The duo currently leads the drivers’ championship in the IMSA series. The crew of the No. 6 sister car shared by Australia’s Matt Campbell and Frenchman Mathieu Jaminet, ranks second after five rounds. Porsche Penske Motorsport also tops the team standings, with Porsche leading the manufacturers’ classification. In the premier GTP class, customer teams JDC-Miller MotorSports and Proton Competition are fielding two additional Porsche 963.
“Rexy” Porsche 911 GT3 R returns at Watkins Glen
Fans can look forward to the return of crowd favourite “Rexy” in the GTD Pro class. At the previous races in Laguna Seca and Detroit, its pink sister “Roxy” stepped in for the bright green dinosaur-liveried 911. Former Porsche Juniors Laurin Heinrich from Germany and Klaus Bachler from Austria will alternate at the wheel of the No. 77 car.
In the GTD class, a Porsche will also compete with a driver lineup of professionals and ambitious amateurs: Americans Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer will share the cockpit of the No. 120 Wright Motorsports car with Australian Tom Sargent.
The race
The six-hour race in New York State traces its roots back to the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, which was first contested on public roads in 1948. Eight years later, the event moved to the permanent circuit now known as Watkins Glen International. From 1961 to 1980, the track was a regular fixture on the Formula 1 calendar. During the same period, the endurance race for sports cars and prototypes also became firmly established.
To date, Porsche has claimed twelve overall victories at Watkins Glen, most recently last season with the Porsche 963. Featuring eleven corners and dramatic elevation changes, the 5.47-kilometre track winds through the wooded hills of the scenic Finger Lakes region near the Canadian border. Fast directional changes make it a true driver’s circuit, while minimal run-off areas and high average speeds earn it the distinction of being the fastest track on the IMSA calendar.
Drivers’ comments ahead of the race
Matt Campbell (Porsche 963 #6): “The track is incredibly fast and a lot of fun – I’m really looking forward to it. We had a successful test there recently and feel well prepared. We’ve experienced some intense weeks with many races in quick succession, but we hope to keep up our strong IMSA results. Watkins Glen is a tough circuit, often with weather changes late in the race. It’ll definitely be exciting.”
Felipe Nasr (Porsche 963 #7): “Watkins Glen is a fantastic venue, especially with its fast corners. We managed to win there last year despite difficult weather. This season has been going very well for us, and we want to continue that momentum with another victory to extend our championship lead. It’s a true endurance classic.”
Neel Jani (Porsche 963 #5): “I thought I’d driven every track in the world, but Watkins Glen will be a first for me. I’ve heard great things about its fast and flowing nature, and I’m eager to experience it. We showed strong pace at Daytona and Sebring, and if we tap into our full potential and stay consistent, a top-five finish is within reach.”
Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche 963 #85): “I’m especially excited about Watkins Glen because I love fast tracks. The last few IMSA races didn’t go as planned, so I’m hopeful we can make progress at the upcoming six-hour race. If we can improve the car’s performance, then anything is possible for us.”
Klaus Bachler (Porsche 911 GT3 R #77): “Our season has gone well, with class wins at Sebring and Laguna Seca putting us at the top of the championship. Now, the next endurance challenge awaits at Watkins Glen. Laurin Heinrich and I will share driving duties in the six-hour race. Our goal is to extend our lead in the GTD Pro standings. Having already tested on the track earlier this year, the team and we as drivers are thoroughly prepared. I’m very much looking forward to the unique demands of Watkins Glen.”
Porsche’s race cars in Watkins Glen
GTP class (Porsche 963):
Porsche Penske Motorsport #6: Matt Campbell (AUS), Mathieu Jaminet (FRA)
Porsche Penske Motorsport #7: Felipe Nasr (BRA), Nick Tandy (GBR)
Proton Competition #5: Neel Jani (SUI), Nico Varrone (ARG), Nico Pino (CHL)
JDC-Miller MotorSports #85: Gianmaria Bruni (ITA), Tijmen van der Helm (NLD)
GTD Pro class:
AO Racing #77: Klaus Bachler (AUT), Laurin Heinrich (DEU)
GTD class:
Wright Motorsports #120: Adam Adelson (USA), Elliott Skeer (USA), Tom Sargent (AUS)
The schedule (local time = CEST -6 hours)
Friday, 20 June
11:25 – 12:55 hrs: Free practice 1
Saturday, 21 June
09:00 – 10:30 hrs: Free practice 2
14:20 – 14:35 hrs: Qualifying GTD
14:45 – 15:00 hrs: Qualifying GTD-Pro
15:35 – 15:50 hrs: Qualifying GTP
Sunday, 22 June
12:10 – 18:10 hrs: Race