Dyszelski: Open-Wheel Know-How Helped in Rapid GT3 Debut

Photo: RS1

Danny Dyszelski believes his previous experience in the junior open-wheel ranks helped him through his “last minute” GT3 debut in the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS race at Road America.

The 18-year-old, who first burst onto the SRO America scene in Pirelli GT4 America in 2024, received the call-up from RS1 to fill in for JP Martinez in the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo, and impressed from the get-go.

With no prior GT3 experience before hitting the track earlier that weekend, he clocked the fourth quickest overall time in Q1 en route to a runner-up finish in the Pro-Am class alongside team veteran Jan Heylen.

Dyszelski credited his two years in the USF2000 Championship, where he drove for Jay Howard Driver Development and Velocity Racing Development, respectively, as well as time in Radical Cup North America, for giving him valuable downforce experience that he was able to translate over to the Porsche.

“Getting into a GT3 car has been a great experience so far,” he told Sportscar365. “It’s the best car I have ever driven. They’re super fun to drive.

“The time I had in open-wheel racing definitely gave me a bit of an edge in adapting to this because I didn’t really have to adapt to downforce like a lot of others might have to.

“A lot of it was just down to learning the driving side of this car.

“RS1, Jan, everybody was great to help me learn all of that. Adapting to the car was a very good experience. I was able to do that very quickly.

“Now this weekend, it’s just recreating those results and hopefully even better.”

Dyszelski revealed that having ample track time in GTWC America was also a factor in quickly coming to grips with the rear-engined Porsche, which is historically known as one of most unique, and sometimes difficult, GT3 cars to adapt to.

“Everything came together very last minute so there was no opportunity to [test],” he said. “Luckily SRO has plenty of testing.

“It’s a very good series to run in if you’re going to get in a car you’ve never in before. All the testing you get is very beneficial.

“Compared to IMSA, [the lack of testing], it would be terrible.”

Dyszelski said he’s hoping that he and Heylen can make it one step up the podium in Sunday’s penultimate race of the season at Barber Motorsports Park.

“That’s definitely the goal,” he said. “We were so close to it last race, so hopefully we can fight for a class win and actually get it this time by.

“Jan’s been incredible. He’s been a very big part of why I was able to get up to speed so quickly.

“He explains everything very, very clear and very well. From that, it’s very easy to figure out everything, especially when you have somebody that drives so well.

“So you have perfect data [to work from]. It makes the experience much better.”

While already locked in for next month’s season-ending Desder Indianapolis 8 Hour, Dyszelski is targeting a full-time GT3 program for next year but said he’s already grateful for the Justin Bellinzoni-owned team for giving him a chance to fulfill his dream.

“Even as a kid, I was always more interested in running sports cars than open wheels,” he admitted. “To get into this is like a dream come true.

“However things fall into place [next year], I’m sure I’ll be happy with where I’m at.”

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