Starworks Set for Return at Watkins Glen

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Starworks Motorsport is set to return to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition in July’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, after missing the last two Prototype Challenge races due to lack of funded drivers.

The Peter Baron-led team, which skipped the recent round at Circuit of The Americas and will also be absent this weekend in Detroit, has reaffirmed plans to contest the two remaining Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup races with at least one Oreca FLM09.

Baron said he’s been surprised at the lack of interest in the spec prototype class, albeit in its final season, particularly after a strong 2016 that saw the Florida-based team deliver the class championship.

“I really don’t understand it,” he told Sportscar365. “We’re still racing in the WeatherTech Championship. The budgets we’re asking compared to other series, people are stunned at how reasonable it is. Nobody really wants to do it.”

Baron said he hopes to finalize the driver lineup for Watkins Glen by early next week, with the team owner set to make a short visit to Detroit to meet with prospective drivers.

A possibility also exists for the team to contest the two remaining PC sprint rounds at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Road America, in a class that currently features only three full-season entrants.

While the spec prototype class hasn’t gathered the interest he expected, Baron said he’s still working on a LMP2 entry, which has seen interest from both drivers and sponsors.

“There’s a lot of interest in it, but it’s that proverbial ’95 percent there’ that we’re trying to get it to the finish line,” Baron said.

No choice has been made on the chassis, despite having initially announced plans last year that it placed an order for a Riley Mk. 30 Gibson.

“I’m sure timing would come into it,” Baron said. “I think ORECA has a two to two-and-a-half month lead time and others have a car ready [now].

“The good news is that you’re watching a lot of the BoP stuff unfold and it saves a lot of the frustration and anger [right now].”

Baron said the team is also exploring options in GT4 and TCR, with the potential of entering Creventic’s 24 Hours of COTA in November.

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