Victory and podium for Porsche in Laguna Seca

A successful outcome to an eventful race weekend for Porsche’s GT teams: At Laguna Seca/USA, the Porsche works pilots Patrick Pilet (France) and Michael Christensen (Denmark) scored the first podium of the year for Porsche North America, clinching third place in the GTLM class in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship after a sensational charge through the field in the 911 RSR. Americans Patrick Lindsey and Spencer Pumpelly celebrated their maiden win of the season with the 911 GT America in the GTD class.

On Saturday, the Porsche Manthey team had already snatched two GTE-Pro-class podium spots in the Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC at Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps: With the 911 RSR, Frédéric Makowiecki (France) and Richard Lietz (Austria) were flagged off in second, with Kévin Estre (France) and Sven Müller (Germany) concluding their strong WEC debut in third place. 

A sensational drive

At Laguna Seca, Patrick Pilet turned heads when he overtook two competitors right at the start of the race on the 3.601-kilometre dune circuit not far from Monterey. At the wheel of his 470 hp 911 RSR, which is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car, and last year won the American long distance classics at Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans, he then set out in pursuit of the leader.

However, when the Frenchman pulled in for his first pit stop shortly before the end of a safety car phase, and the field went green again whilst he was still in the pits, he suddenly found himself at the back of the strongly-represented GT field with Porsche North America’s #911 Porsche 911 RSR. Pulling out all stops, Patrick Pilet and Michael Christensen launched a charge and, over the 2:40-hour race duration, managed to make up lost ground. After a sensational drive, the pair was rewarded at the flag with third place. 

Busy race weekend

For Michael Christensen, the race weekend under the Californian sun was particularly busy. He not only shared the cockpit of the number 911 car with Patrick Pilet, but also teamed up with Jörg Bergmeister (Germany) in the second 911 RSR fielded by Porsche North America. In the #912 entry, they finished fifth. In the 911 RSR campaigned by the Falken Tire customer team, Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Bryan Sellers (USA) secured eighth place.

Michael Christensen and Patrick Pilet, who normally contest the WEC, stood in for their works driver colleagues, Earl Bamber (New Zealand) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) at Laguna Seca, who were competing for the Porsche team at the Le Mans dress rehearsal in Spa-Francorchamps in the third 919 Hybrid.

Round five to be contested at the end of June

In the GTD class, the Park Place Motorsports’ customer squad with drivers Patrick Lindsey and Spencer Pumpelly brought home their first win of the Tudor United SportsCar Championship season at Laguna Seca in the Porsche 911 GT America, which had been developed specifically for this series. Third place went to Mario Farnbacher (Germany) and Ian James (USA) in the 911 GT America run by the Seattle/Alex Job Racing outfit.

Round five of the Tudor United SportsCar Championship in Watkins Glen/New York will have to wait until 28 June to be contested due to the Le Mans 24 Hours.