Yardley Ready for ‘Lots of Firsts’ in Daytona, IMSA GTD Debut

Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche

Ryan Yardley said he’s looking forward to tackling “a lot of firsts” as the newly named Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver makes his Rolex 24 at Daytona debut.

The 27-year-old U.S.-based Kiwi, who won last year’s Porsche Carrera Cup North America title, is set for his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut at the wheel of Muehlner Motorsports’ No. 123 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo.

Sharing the GTD class entry with Peter Ludwig and the father-and-son pairing of David Musial Sr. and Jr., Yardley expressed his gratitude for the opportunity after laying out the goal last October to make his foray into top-level IMSA competition.

“That was the big target, once I won the Carrera Cup championship, to try and make sure we made the step up almost immediately, and thankfully we’re here this weekend,” he told Sportscar365.

“There’s been a massive prep behind the scenes. There’s a lot of sim stuff, fitness training, working with the team, working with the other drivers, just to get as best prepared as we can.

“For all of us here, Peter has don the race before but the other three of us, it’s our first time doing it and for us, it was our first time driving the GT3 R.

“I did three laps in Sebring in November before coming here. For me it was basically a brand-new car to drive.

“It’s been a big learning undertaking for myself and the rest of us. I’m just excited. I’m glad with how the Roar went and excited leading into this weekend.”

In addition to it being his first WeatherTech Championship outing, it’s also Yardley’s first time racing at Daytona International Speedway.

“It’s my first time in Daytona, first time GT3 R, first time in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. There’s a lot of firsts,” he said.

“I feel super privileged to join the Porsche family and continue my trajectory through the Porsche Pyramid.

“I’m looking forward to this weekend and having my first race as a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver.”

Announced on Tuesday, Yardley joins incumbent, and fellow antipodean Tom Sargent as PMNA Selected Drivers for the year.

“Pat Long is involved in the program and he was one of the first people to call me once I knew I was going to be part of the program,” revealed Yardley.

“It’s really great to have someone like that to give you advise and bounce ideas off. He’s been super open to myself in the last couple of weeks. That’s been fantastic.

“There’s plenty of Kiwis and other drivers in this paddock and around the world that have been super successful that I’ve been able to reach out to and get career advise.

“It’s such a big network around the globe. For myself, Carrera Cup was amazing. It was the first step on the Porsche ladder for myself.

“It’s super awesome to be officially tied to a brand like that. Hopefully I can add some results and follow in the footsteps of many others.”

While the Rolex 24 is currently his only confirmed WeatherTech Championship race, Yardley said he’s excited for what’s shaping up to be a diverse program this year.

“We’ve got some exciting news coming up in the next few weeks, for my full plan for this year,” he said. “I’m super excited for what’s ahead this year.

“It’s going to be a busy year but [I’m] super excited. I’m going to throw in some one-off races throughout the year as well.”

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