WeatherTech Racing to Field Porsche, Mercedes in GTD Pro

Image: WeatherTech

WeatherTech Racing will field a Porsche 911 GT3 R and a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in the new-for-2022 GTD Pro class at this month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team has announced.

Cooper MacNeil will pilot both entries, which will be run by Proton Competition in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opener.

Mercedes-AMG factory drivers Maro Engel, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella will join MacNeil in the No. 97 Mercedes, while Porsche factory ace Julien Andlauer will be joined by Porsche-affiliated drivers Matteo Cairoli and Alessio Picariello in the No. 79 Porsche.

Andlauer and MacNeil will contest the full GTD Pro season in the No. 79 Porsche, meanwhile.

MacNeil will be at least one of two drivers that are set to pull double duty between two entries, joining Ben Keating, who is confirmed in both the No. 5 JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R and No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 Gibson.

“The Rolex 24 is the equivalent of our Super Bowl,” MacNeil said. “Winning this race has been one of my racing goals since I started.

“I’ve won Sebring twice, Petit Le Mans three times, been on the podium at Le Mans twice, been a multiple series champion, and now need to win the Rolex 24.

“I’ve finished second at the Rolex 24 but they don’t give a watch out for second place. With two cars from different brands I think we have good shot at being on the top step of the podium come Sunday afternoon on the 30th.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of driving both cars and considering our driver line-up I like our chances.”

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