Brynjolfsson Putting “Entire Focus” on Securing Porsche Cup

Photo: SRO

Alan Brynjolfsson says the reason for his busy GT4 racing schedule in North America has been in pursuit of winning this year’s Porsche Cup.

The Park Place Motorsports driver, who is competing in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and multiple Pirelli GT4 America series with Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsports, currently sits second in the Porsche Cup standings behind two-time and defending winner Christian Ried.

Developed by Ferry Porsche, the Porsche Cup has been awarded since 1970 to a non-factory driver based on points scored in sports car racing championships worldwide.

The award, previously won by the likes of Ryan Dalziel and Nick Tandy, has not gone to an American driver since Johannes van Overbeek in 2007.

“It’s almost been my number one objective of the year,” Brynjolfsson told Sportscar365.

“It’s a huge honor just to be competing and to be second, and hopefully be the first American in a long time to get the award.

“It’s such a big distinction, a once-in-a-lifetime [opportunity] where the entire focus of our season is going for that.”

Brynjolfsson has teamed with Trent Hindman for victories in both Pilot Challenge and GT4 America SprintX competition this year, while sometimes racking up four races on SRO Motorsport America weekends between SprintX and Sprint competition.

“The best part about it is that there’s lots of races so I can accumulate points,” he said. “That’s the only reason I’m here.

“I’m not delusional. I know I’m not the best Porsche driver in the world.

“It’s because I’m doing a lot of races and strictly accumulating points from the sheer volume. But hey, there’s many ways to skin a cat and that’s the way I’m going.”

Brynjolfsson and Hindman head into next month’s Pilot Challenge season finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta tied for third in the GS class championship, and within reach of second.

“The IMSA season has been very steady,” he said. “We’re only ten points out of second, in a very competitive field. That’s been about being steady and consistent.

“In SRO, there’s a lot more variables and that can create wins and DNFs and that’s exactly what we encountered [at Road America].”

An accident in last weekend’s opening GT4 America SprintX race of the weekend at Road America dashed hopes of a GT4 East Pro-Am title for Brynjolfsson, although he and Hindman rebounded for victory in Race 2 with the team’s backup car.

While competing with the same GT4-spec Porsche in both series, Brynjolfsson said he sees an “extraordinary difference” between the two series.

Brynjolfsson has at least five more races planned this year, having added the GT4 West season-ending rounds at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to his schedule, following the recommendation of the team’s director of operations, Mike Johnson.

“The Bill Belichick [GM of New England Patriots NFL team] of the paddock figured out a way to get more points and I’m following his lead. I just do my job,” Brynjolfsson said.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John