Jaminet: Pfaff Victory Came Down to Fuel Management

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Mathieu Jaminet believes Saturday’s FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park came down to a race of fuel management in GTD Pro, particularly in the opening two stints of the two-hour and 40-minute contest.

Jaminet and co-driver Matt Campbell collected their fourth IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship class win of the season in a controlling run in the No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, which led a race-high 117 laps.

While having started from pole, the Canadian squad was put into fuel savings from the early stages in what was set to be a caution-free race until a late-race accident by the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 of Ryan Eversley.

“It was fuel management in the beginning and a fuel management race,” said Jaminet. “For me it was just about pushing to the limit for an hour.

“We had quite a gap to the Aston and then the yellow came out. Then on the restart it was all out for everyone.

“We tried to manage. One of the keys was to clean the tires; there was a lot of pickup out there under yellow.

“I was able to clean my tires very well just before the restart and pull a gap.

“Towards the end, the Aston was coming back. But it was just enough to win.

“Thanks again to the Pfaff guys and Matty because he put me in the best position with pole position and two great stints.

“I cannot be more pleased and for sure for the championship it’s looking good.”

While having shuffled out of the lead during the first round of pit stops, Campbell retook the top spot on a move around the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 of Jack Hawksworth on Lap 100.

The Nos. 9 and 14 cars were the only GTD Pro runners to lead the race.

“It was another fantastic and flawless effort by the whole Pfaff crew,” said Campbell.

“Early on there was a lot of fuel saving going on. When everyone went off strategy, we had to really push and try to catch up.

“It wasn’t easy when we were behind the cars and managing the pressures. It was better out front, let’s say.

“Luckily enough with our strategy we were able to get back to the front with Mathieu in the end and hold from there.

“Track position was really key today, for tire management, and a big help.”

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