BGB Exploring IMSA Return with Cayman GT4 Clubsport

BGB Motorsports, which was a stalwart in the GRAND-AM era in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and the Rolex Series, is seeking to return to IMSA as its own entity for 2016, as one of a number of potential series options.

The team is keen on running the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport, which will premiere next week at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, in either the Continental Tire Challenge series or Porsche Club of America (PCA).

Two dozen of the new Clubsport cars are slated for a six-race, East Coast PCA championship, while a handful will be produced with the intention of running in the Continental Tire Challenge Series’ GS class, where BGB ran the Porsche marque full-time for 10 years.

Since the GRAND-AM/American Le Mans Series merger that saw the two series folded under the IMSA banner prior to 2014, BGB has been sidelined as its own team, although the team did partner with Bimmerworld to produce two Caymans in Continental Tire ST run under the Next Level European banner last year.

Most recently, the team ran its 3.8-liter Cayman in the Rolex Series GX class in 2013, driven by Spencer Pumpelly and Dr. Jim Norman.

“It is an interesting time for Cayman enthusiasts in North America,” said BGB Motorsports team principal John Tecce.

“On the horizon is a factory car outfitted with a proper 3.8L engine and PDK transmission, ready for racing.

“With the ongoing effort between IMSA and Porsche Motorsport North America to create a homologation for a version of the car that would run in GS, we are analyzing potential opportunities.”

A number of teams have been rumored to run the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport in 2016, but no formal programs have been announced as yet.

“The new car makes for an interesting opportunity and makes it hard not to wonder how much of a championship contending package this would have been during 2010 and 2011 when we needed more power and torque for the Cayman,” Tecce said.

“The bar has been raised significantly and therefore the cost to race at the professional level has increased. We are hopeful that we can attract drivers who may lack the sponsorship budget for a full season commitment in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar or Pirelli World Challenge championships.

“If we can find the correctly funded programs that have the ability to run for a championship, we are willing to talk to interested parties about the potential to do so.  If however we are unable to, we will continue to focus on the growth of our core business.

“A program such as the GT4 Clubsport program allows the car to go from club racing to pro racing and allows us to create a path for our customers to grow together with us.”