Pfaff Plotting GTD Pro Effort with All-Factory Porsche Lineup

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Pfaff Motorsports is likely to be represented in IMSA’s new GTD Pro class next year, with “all signs pointing towards” an effort featuring an all-factory Porsche driver lineup.

The Canadian squad, which made its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut in 2019, is “more than 50 percent” there on stepping up to the new-for-2022 class with its Porsche 911 GT3 R according to team manager Steve Bortolotti.

It would mark the first confirmed Porsche entrant in the class, which is expected to feature factory or works-supported participation from Corvette, BMW, Lexus and Lamborghini at a minimum.

“All signs are pointing towards us doing it,” Bortolotti told Sportscar365. “It’s been a goal of ours and just having the affirmation of what the rules look like [that were announced on Friday]. 

“I think I still have some concerns regarding BoP being shared. 

“Porsche goes customer racing, so it could instinctively gives Corvette or Lexus an advantage if they can manage their own BoP and don’t have one car in each class.

“But talks are progressing. IMSA has been great about communicating with the teams and keeping them informed. Hats off to them about how much they’ve been communicating.”

When asked if Laurens Vanthoor, who is currently part of the team’s GTD lineup, would be retained for 2022, Bortolotti said it will ultimately be up to Porsche.

“I’d love to keep him but it’s up to Porsche and we’ll ultimately go with whatever they say,” he said. “There’s no bad options. All of their drivers are very well accomplished.”

Bortolotti said that should the deal be officially green-lighted, it would be without its Silver-rated driver Zach Robichon, who has been part of the team’s program since its WeatherTech Championship debut.

“Zach has been made aware of that already,” said Bortolotti. “We’re trying to do our best to help him find a program for next season.

“Obviously he’s an amazing Silver and I think he’s one of the best Silvers out there.

“If we can help him find something that would be great. He’s got us to where we are with our program. We owe him so much for our success and being that rock during the some of the more turbulent times in 2019 and last year. 

“We want to do our best to help him find something.”

Official confirmation on the team’s plans is expected to be made in the coming weeks.

Bortolotti said they have meetings with primary sponsor Motul next week in Monterey.

“Assuming all of the commercial side of it comes together the way we’re understanding it will… I’ve admired [Corvette and BMW] growing up as a fan,” Bortolotti said. “I was just one of those fans who was able to work in the industry.

“I’d love to try ourselves against them and I only think we’ll get better by competing against the best.

“They’re the benchmark and we’d love to challenge ourselves against them and learn what we can and hopefully compete against them when the time is right.”

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