Pfaff to Return at Petit Le Mans

Pfaff Motorsports has confirmed that its Porsche 911 GT3 R will return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship grid at next month’s Motul Petit Le Mans.

The Toronto-based squad has not contested an IMSA race since the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona in January because of travel restrictions between Canada and the United States brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the team has today announced plans to contest the penultimate Michelin Endurance Cup round of the season with Dennis Olsen, Lars Kern and Zacharie Robichon.

The same trio represented Pfaff at Daytona, where they were joined by Porsche factory driver Patrick Pilet.

“It was very disappointing not to be racing in July when the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship made its return,” said team manager Steve Bortolotti.

“We felt we had all the pieces in place to make a run at the championship in our sophomore season.

“Our team is made up predominantly of Pfaff employees who work in our dealerships when not racing; travel restrictions between the United States and Canada made a full season return impossible in July when the series resumed.

“However, for Petit Le Mans, quarantining for two weeks upon returning to Canada for the series’ signature event made sense for all of us, especially as a way to thank our partners for sticking by our side during these challenging times.”

Pfaff has not stated any further race appearances beyond Petit Le Mans, which is followed by events at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Nov. 1 and the season-ending Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Nov. 14.

The Laguna Seca round would be highly unlikely for the team considering the early part of that weekend coincides with its post-Petit Le Mans quarantine period.

Looking ahead to Pfaff’s one confirmed race, Bortolotti said: “Motul Petit Le Mans is one of the most exciting events on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar.

“Our partners at Motul and Porsche Motorsport North America have been incredibly supportive during this challenging season, and we couldn’t be more excited for our return to WeatherTech Championship competition at Motul’s headline event.”