Faulkner Joins CJWR, New Partnership Announced

Photo: CJ Wilson Racing

Damien Faulkner has joined CJ Wilson Racing for its two-car, full-season effort in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

The Irishman, who was recently downgraded to Silver driver rating, will be paired with 24-year-old Russell Ward in the team’s No. 35 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, with Marc Miller returning to the No. 33 Porsche but alongside Till Bechtolsheimer for the entire ten-round championship.

Danny Burkett, who teamed with Miller in the No. 33 car last year, will remain with the Austin-based squad but in a planned expansion to the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada series.

Additionally, the team has formed a partnership with Houston-based Winward Racing, which will provide support to the No. 35 car in the GS class. Reserve driver Bryce Ward, meanwhile, may also be used in selected events this season.

“I feel very fortunate to have such a strong, proper team under the CJ Wilson Racing tent this year,” said team manager Andris Laivins.

“Russell worked with Damien in the Porsche GT3 Cup car last year and I think sharing an endurance car in 2017 is only going to make that pairing stronger.

“I believe they are going to have the Techemet No. 35 on the podium in short order, and more broadly, I think they will push, and be pushed by, Marc and Till in the No. 33 all year, which will make the entire team grow.

“We’re facing a resurgent GS field this year, and everyone can’t wait to get to Daytona and get down to business.”

CJWR will be among the nearly two-dozen GS class entries expected for the four-hour season-opener at Daytona later this month, and is also expected to be present at this weekend’s pre-season test.

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