Jarvis Looking to “Build On” Pfaff Momentum at CTMP

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Oliver Jarvis says he feels that momentum is on Pfaff Motorsports’ side entering the team’s home race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, following improved results and fortunes in recent IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship rounds.

Jarvis and co-driver Marvin Kirchhofer notched up podium finishes at both WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and in last month’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen in their McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, following a challenging start to the GTD Pro class campaign.

With a LMP2 class win also to his credit at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jarvis has enjoyed an upswing in results in recent weeks.

“It’s been a very good period of the year, I’d have to say,” he told Sportscar365. “It’s a shame we didn’t get the podium, or at least a really solid finish in Detroit, because that would have put us right in the mix for the championship.

“Finishing eighth has hurt us a lot. It was nice to go to Watkins and get a result. We probably weren’t the quickest car out there but this time luck went our way and we were managed to come away with a P2 [result].

“From the McLaren and Pfaff side, it was a tough start but we’ve definitely got some momentum going for the rest of the season.

“It’s the first year for the team with the car. It’s the first year for me in GT in IMSA and Marvin’s first year in IMSA, so there’s been a lot to learn for all of us. But I think we’ve already shown some good potential. We just need to build on that now.”

The Canadian squad had a baptism by fire with its new-for-2024 package in the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, although Jarvis firmly believes the bad luck and unfortunate circumstances are behind them.

“Both Daytona and Sebring were out of the team’s control,” he said. “But what I will say, having the gap after Sebring, definitely arriving at Laguna, just with the team having a lot more time with the car.

“The mechanics seemed to be much more on top of things; they had time to take it apart and understand it. They learned from Daytona and Sebring.”

With two runner-up finishes to their credit so far this year, this weekend’s Chevrolet Grand Prix at CTMP could be a chance for the Pfaff squad to enjoy a breakout first win of the season.

“It’s a very important race for the team, being the home race,” said Jarvis. “They have a lot of local sponsors and a big Canadian fanbase.

“It would be amazing to get our first win but at the same time we don’t need to put too much pressure on ourselves. I’m sure it will come.

“The important thing is that we just stay at the front end, we try and reduce any mistakes from our side and we take maximum points where we can.

“If the car is quick enough for fifth, we take a fifth. If it’s capable of winning, we need to win the race. That’s really our mentality.

“One thing that Pfaff does extremely well is getting the best results and sometimes outscoring where the pace is at.

“In GT racing, there’s always going to be some tracks where you’re not as quick as other cars. That’s just the nature of GT racing.

“The way they go about their racing and the way they approach it, I think is ideal for endurance racing and is why they’ve won multiple championships.”

Jarvis Getting “More Comfortable” in Full-Time GT3 Return

With limited track time in the McLaren, Jarvis feels like he’s been making the most in his first time back in GT3 machinery since his days as a Bentley factory driver in 2020.

“Every time I’m in the car, I’m getting more comfortable,” he said of the McLaren. “Unfortunately we haven’t had any testing outside of race weekends, so it’s been very, very limited.

“Watkins, I arrived and was immediately on pace and the same in Laguna.

“I’m definitely feeling more comfortable with the car. I’ve obviously still got a lot to learn and every race is valuable experience.

“But there I can really lean on Marvin. He’s probably the most experienced McLaren driver. He knows the car very well. I know the tracks. Together we’re working well.

“I’m just really enjoying it.”

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