Porsche works drivers Earl Bamber and Frédéric Makowiecki have clinched third place with their Porsche 911 RSR at round nine of the IMSA SportsCar Championship on the Virginia International Raceway.
For Porsche, this marks the first podium result in the most important sports car racing series on the North American continent since May 1st. Back then, they also finished third at the Laguna Seca round with the GT racer, which was developed in Weissach based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car. In the sister 911 RSR fielded by the Porsche North America works team, the Long Beach winners Patrick Pilet (France) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) earned vital championship points for sixth place.
Spectators lining the tradition-steeped 5.263-kilometre race circuit in the US state of Virginia were treated to some action-packed racing, despite the absence of the P and PC classes. In hot summer temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, drivers delivered tough duels for positions, particularly in the GTLM class in which five automobile manufacturers battle for victories and titles. After the first round of pit stops, Earl Bamber took over driving duties from Frédéric Makowiecki in the number 912 contender and was running in third place. After a difficult qualifying, the Frenchman had taken up the race from the ninth grid spot but made up ground with consistently fast lap times. Patrick Pilet took over from Nick Tandy and was sitting in fifth. But in the 48th lap, the two left the track in quick succession and lost positions. Patrick Pilet had to return to the pits to remove pieces of grass that he’d collected on his number 911 Porsche 911 RSR from his excursion into the greens.
In a dramatic closing stage of the race they brought it to a successful conclusion
Despite this setback, the Porsche pilots didn’t give up. In a dramatic closing stage of the race, which was shortened by the one and only caution phase in the entire 2:40 hour race, Earl Bamber took up the charge again with the 912 contender and, after a spirited chase, brought it to a successful conclusion by reclaiming third place. Patrick Pilet, who had at times fallen back to eighth place, finished the race on sixth.
In the GTD class, in which customer teams field the Porsche 911 GT3 R, the former Porsche Junior Alex Riberas (Spain) and Mario Farnbacher (Germany) also made a great comeback. After receiving a drive-through penalty, the Seattle/Alex Job Racing pilots found themselves at the back of the pack, from where they put in an inspired drive to plough through the field to net fourth place.
Earl Bamber (l.), Porsche work driver, Patrick Pilet, Porsche work driver © Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
Steffen Höllwarth, Program Manager IMSA SportsCar Championship:
“That was a great performance from the entire team. The fact that they performed excellently in such heat over the entire weekend deserves every respect. In the middle stint we had our work cut out for us with both 911 RSR. Our drivers pushed the limits and both left the track briefly. But for the last stint we had everything under control again. Although luck wasn’t on our side recently at Road America, today the late caution phase worked in our favour. Now we can travel to the next round in Austin feeling very optimistic.”
Patrick Pilet (911 RSR #911):
“Of course we had expected a better outcome. The 911 RSR ran well and the team gave us excellent support. Unfortunately I made too many mistakes. I probably just wanted too much and that didn’t go well. It’s a shame because we had a chance at the podium.”
Nick Tandy (911 RSR #911):
“That race was really intense. After the start I enjoyed some great fights for positions with other cars and it was huge fun. Halfway through the race I lost some time unfortunately, but by the end Patrick was running strongly again. Although it didn’t work out with the much anticipated podium result, at least we earned important points towards the championship today. Hopefully we’ll finish on the podium in Austin.”
Frédéric Makowiecki (l.), Porsche work driver, Earl Bamber, Porsche work driver © Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
Earl Bamber (911 RSR #912):
“What crazy final laps. At last we’ve achieved another podium for Porsche, the last one was a while ago. The fans witnessed an exciting and eventful sports car race. It was exactly what they wanted. In Austin, we now aim to continue from where we left off.”
Frédéric Makowiecki (l.), Porsche work driver, Earl Bamber, Porsche work driver © Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
Frédéric Makowiecki (911 RSR #912):
“This race was an emotional rollercoaster. We had difficult moments, we had great moments – and ultimately we had the necessary race luck. It’s a great feeling to stand on the podium again. I’m very proud of our team. We had a perfect race strategy and super fast pit stops. That was a solid effort.”
Alex Riberas (911 GT3 R #23):
“Our fifth place feels more like a victory. If we’d had to predict this morning that we’d come so far forward from so far behind, I would have called you crazy. That normally doesn’t happen in such a strong field.”
Mario Farnbacher (911 GT3 R #23):
“That was a strong team effort today. Most of our direct championship rivals finished behind us. That keeps things exciting