CarBahn to Step Up to Sprint Cup With Audi

Image: CarBahn

CarBahn with Peregrine Racing will step up to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition this year, having confirmed a WeatherTech Sprint Cup program for Jeff Westphal and Richard Heistand.

The pairing will pilot the team’s No. 39 Audi R8 LMS Evo in the seven-round championship, which kicks off with the third overall round of the season at Mid-Ohio in May.

The addition of its Sprint Cup program for the Steve Dinan-led operation comes alongside the team’s continued presence in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with a single Audi R8 LMS GT4.

“The Audi R8 LMS GT4 and GT3 are siblings, and share quite a few concepts, construction and components,” explained Westphal.

“The differences aren’t insignificant, but the feel the car gives the driver will be very similar to what we are used to at CarBahn with Peregrine Racing, as well as what Richard is used to with the Lambo GT3 experience he brings.

“The Lambo GT3 and Audi R8 LMS share a lot of components as well, thus making the Audi the more familiar unknown quantity.”

Heistand, meanwhile, is coming off a season of Michelin Endurance Cup with Grasser Racing Team.

“The key to success in racing starts and ends with being on a great team, so I’m very grateful and excited,” he said.

“It’s funny to think this will be my third season in IMSA in my third new car.

“After a three race Michelin Endurance Cup run in 2020, I’ll be visiting these sprint tracks for just the second time. It’s nice to think I’ve established myself over the last couple years, and I feel more settled than ever headed into this season.”

CarBahn is one of an expected number of teams that will commit to the Sprint Cup portion of the WeatherTech Championship season.

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