Matt Campbell, Dirk Werner and Dennis Olsen, victors at the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in February, Round One of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge, will return for Round Two at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, piloting the new-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R for Wright Motorsports.
Wright Motorsports Principal John Wright is looking forward to contesting the California 8 Hours and representing the Stuttgart manufacturer. The Batavia, Ohio-based team finished fourth in the 2018 event with the driver line-up of Romain Dumas, Fred Makowiecki and Dirk Werner.
“I’m very proud to be heading back to the California Eight Hours with the support of Porsche Motorsport for a third year,” said John Wright. “In 2018 we gave Porsche Motorsport their best IGTC finish of the season with a fourth place, but we still have some unfinished business to tend to, so we’re eager to fight for the win with the new Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“We have all the tools we need to do so with the manufacturer’s support, a strong driver line-up and a very experienced group of crew members. This event always brings out some of the best in global competition, but we’re prepared to do what it takes to help Porsche continue what they started at Bathurst and extend their championship lead.”
Norwegian Dennis Olsen is the only member of the three-man crew who has not previously raced at the Californian circuit.
“I’ve never driven at Laguna Seca, so I’m very much looking forward to it,” said Olsen. “The course is awesome – with barely any run-off zones, significant elevation differences and legendary turns like the Corkscrew. As a racing driver, you’ve simply got to love it. I know the Wright Motorsports squad and I’m certain that our car will be really fast.”
Porsche will also be represented Dallas, Texas-based Park Place Motorsports who will run the #911 Porsche GT3 R t be driven by Romain Dumas, Sven Müller and Porsche Young Professional Driver Mathieu Jaminet.
Park Place Motorsports Team Principal Patrick Lindsey is looking to leverage the team’s previous success at WeatherTech race way Laguna Seca with a finish on the top step of the podium on March 30.
“First, I have to say that I’m very honoured to have Porsche’s support in or first IGTC race,” said Patrick Lindsey. “Events such as this one, with teams you don’t usually get to compete against, are always fun. It gives you a new test and a new way to measure how you’re doing.
“I think we have an advantage going into the race because of our success at Laguna Seca. Porsche has given us a talented line-up that can win; it’s just up to our guys to give them the right tool. Our team’s been on the road for a month now but I think we all understand the importance of this event and have a strong will to win it for Porsche.”
Romain Dumas is also excited at competing in the new-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“This will be a very special event for me, because I’ve never contested a race with the new Porsche 911 GT3 R,” said the 2016 Porsche LMP1 champion. “The new model definitely has a lot of potential hence I’m very excited to turn my first laps. Last year we finished in fourth place at Laguna Seca. We should be able to do better with the new car. We’re aiming for a podium spot.”
The lights go out for the California 8 Hours at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca at 08:30 local time on Saturday March 30.