Porsche Determined to Dominate: Eager to Extend IMSA Championship Lead at Watkins Glen

Porsche Penske Motorsport is gearing up for the sixth round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with a firm resolve to maintain its impressive early season performance. The team has consistently secured a podium position with the Porsche 963 in all the races this season. The triumphant start to the 2024 season, marking the second year for the GTP class, includes wins at the 24 Hours At Daytona and the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round. This success places Porsche at the pinnacle of the manufacturers’ leaderboard as they approach the six-hour race in Watkins Glen, New York. Currently, Porsche Penske Motorsport holds the top spot in the team standings, with Daytona victors Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron leading the drivers’ championship.

The esteemed six-hour race at the Watkins Glen International circuit is a cornerstone event for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Alongside the endurance classics at Daytona, Sebring, Indianapolis, and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, this race contributes to the Michelin Endurance Cup, a distinct classification within the IMSA championship. Last year, the No. 6 car, driven by Nick Tandy (United Kingdom) and Mathieu Jaminet (France), took the first place at Watkins Glen in the debut race for the 685 HP hybrid prototype from Germany. However, the vehicle was disqualified shortly after the race due to the front skid wear being 0.1 millimeter beyond the legal tolerance.

“Our Porsche 963 demonstrated robust performance at Watkins Glen last year. The track appears to be a good fit for us,” states Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Motorsport LMDh. “In anticipation of this year’s race, we conducted testing there alongside other teams and manufacturers. The insights and outcomes were positive from our standpoint. I foresee us being at the forefront once again. Our goal is to expand our lead in the championship and ascend to the top of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.”

“Watkins Glen hosts the third significant endurance event of the IMSA season. However, at six hours, it’s one of the shorter races,” remarks Jonathan Diuguid, the Managing Director of Porsche Penske Motorsport. “Our Porsche 963 showed exceptional speed there last year. For the first time this season, we’re choosing the hardest tire compound at Watkins Glen. We successfully tested it a few weeks ago. I believe we’re entering the race weekend with a solid foundation. Our aim is to further solidify our top position in the overall ranking.”

The Race The six-hour race in New York’s Finger Lakes Region traces its origins back to the dawn of sports car racing, with its inaugural race on public roads in 1948. Eight years later, it evolved into a dedicated permanent racetrack known as Watkins Glen International. From 1961 to 1980, the 3.4-mile (5.47-kilometer) course regularly hosted Formula One races. Concurrently, the endurance race became a staple event at the circuit, which boasts 11 turns and dramatic uphill and downhill sections. Its fast, flowing layout with striking elevation changes makes it a driver’s favorite.

To date, Porsche has notched up eleven overall victories at Watkins Glen.