Ford’s Rockenfeller Looking to Carry “Momentum” into VIR

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Mike Rockenfeller is hoping to carry “momentum” into this weekend’s Michelin GT Challenge at Virginia International Raceway, hot on the heels of he and co-driver Seb Priaulx’s second class podium in the last four IMSA WeatherTech Championship races.

The Ford Multimatic Motorsports duo, who won on the streets of Detroit in GTD Pro, finished second in class at the Motul SportsCar Grand Prix at Road America and currently sit fourth in the points standings with three races to go.

While not mathematically out of the title race, the veteran German driver said they’re not giving up on the championship just yet.

This weekend will mark a return visit to the 3.27-mile Virginia circuit for Rockenfeller, who has never finished off the podium at the track in his three previous appearances.

“We saw last year as well that it’s pretty cool for us to battle just amongst us and basically focus on our own category, try for overall victory,” he said.

“I’s going to be tough. It’s a place where every mistake, you may get really penalized, especially if the grass is still wet.

“We tested there last week and the weather wasn’t perfect. But anyway, it’s a challenging track and I hope we can do well.

“We have had so far had pretty a good season. Of course, you always want to do better.

“Luckily, the last race we had a podium finish, second in Road America. And hopefully we can carry that momentum into VIR and use what we learned last week.

“It’s IMSA, [so] you never know. It’s always up and down and strategy is key so we have to execute well.”

When asked what he thinks has been the biggest improvement to the program this year, Rockenfeller believes it’s been the team’s level of execution, particularly in terms of strategy and on pit lane.

“I think the main focus was this year on execution, which I think we as a team have done a much better job compared to last year,” he said.

“We’re more experienced, you know everybody much more and you work on your weaknesses.

“Still, we had, I would say, one or two races where we could have done better. But I think all the other races we got the maximum amount of our package.

“It’s also a question of where you are balanced in the field and then that’s sometimes very difficult.

“But anyway, our focus is on execution, and we are not far from the leaders in the championship with three more rounds to go.”

Rockenfeller added: “We think race by race. Our sister car won Daytona. We were on the podium there as well. We had a great start to the year and I think you clearly can see an improvement.

“We were fighting for podiums and victories and in some races, so [we’re] very happy. But we know it’s tough in IMSA and you have to be very consistent and unfortunately, we had one or the other race on our side where we were not good enough.

“When you finish P-last then of course, it’s tough; it’s big points you lose. Let’s see where we can finish. Still, everything is possible, so we never give up, that’s for sure.”

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