Pfaff Confirmed in GTD Pro with Campbell, Jaminet

Pfaff Motorsports has been confirmed as Porsche’s representative in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s new GT Daytona Pro category for next year, with Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet forming the full-season driver pairing.

As reported by Sportscar365 in August, the Canadian squad will field a single Porsche 911 GT3 R in the newly-created pro-level GT class that is replacing GT Le Mans.

Felipe Nasr, who has been signed as a Porsche factory driver ahead of his 2023 LMDh drive with the marque, will join Campbell and Jaminet for the four Michelin Endurance Cup rounds at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Pfaff Motorsports won the GT Daytona title this year with Laurens Vanthoor and Zach Robichon sharing the distinctive plaid-liveried No. 9 Porsche full-time.

“2022 will be just our third full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and in that short time, I’m incredibly proud of what the whole Pfaff Motorsports team has accomplished, winning four races and the GTD championship in 2021,” said Chris Pfaff, President and CEO of Pfaff Motorsports.

“We’re excited to be taking the next big step and are grateful for the confidence that Porsche has shown in us. With an amazing driver lineup and a great team behind them, all of the ingredients are in place for a successful season.”

The team’s full-season lineup for its graduation to GTD Pro involves two drivers who have shared Porsche machinery in multiple championships.

Campbell and Jaminet drove for WeatherTech Racing in GTLM this year and claimed major wins at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans, both alongside Cooper MacNeil.

The factory-contracted pair also shared a GPX Racing-prepared Porsche 911 GT3 R in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup.

Separately, Jaminet finished second in ADAC GT Masters driving for SSR Performance.

“It was really my priority to race full time in the U.S in 2022, and to be racing with the reigning GTD champions is a privilege,” said the Frenchman.

“The team showed great performances this season and I can’t wait to get it started at Daytona.

“Matt and I know each other really well and we’ve already had some good success. This should help us to perform straight away.

“We like the same things on the car and have the same feedback to push the team. He also knows the team so this will help me integrate quicker with everyone.

“[For the season] our goal is clear; we’ve got all the ingredients to be up front, so the target is to try and win the championship. Obviously, we are always looking at the big races, so Daytona and Sebring are also on top of my list. Let’s see what the year has got for us.”

Campbell was a member of Pfaff’s GTD crew for this year’s edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the Australian joined Vanthoor, Robichon and Lars Kern.

“Firstly, I’m really excited to be joining the team once again, but this time for a full season,” he said.

“They have proven after winning the championship that we will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022. Having driven with the team previously, it will be an easy step already knowing the majority of them, which has a great group of characters.

“Mathieu and I have been driving together for two years now in most championships we compete in – we like the same things in the car and have the same feedback, so I expect our partnership to only grow further with the team.”

Nasr, meanwhile, is set to make his GT racing debut next year having previously only represented Action Express Racing in the DPi category.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Porsche family and team Pfaff ahead of the 2022 season,” said the reigning DPi champion.

“I always love going to Daytona and having a shot of winning the Rolex 24; this time will be completely new to in the GTD Pro class.

“Hopefully it will a smooth transition and a fast learning process with the help of my well-experienced teammates Matt and Mathieu.”

Pfaff is the only confirmed Porsche outfit in GTD Pro next year. The manufacturer has stated that “more GT3 cars fielded by customer teams are planned for the GTD category” which requires Pro-Am driver lineups.

Wright Motorsports has already committed to the GTD class with a Porsche in which former Pfaff driver Robichon will tackle the Endurance Cup events.

“Our move to GTD Pro signals Pfaff Motorsports’ commitment to become an elite privateer effort, worthy of factory consideration for future opportunities,” commented Pfaff general manager Steve Bortolotti.

“We are appreciative of Porsche’s support with factory drivers Matt, Mathieu, and Felipe.

“They have a proven track record of success individually, and we look forward to working with them and seeing how they gel this season.”