Unique Collaboration for Porsche Rivals Wright, Moorespeed

Moorespeed and Wright Motorsports surprised the Porsche racing world this past week by showing up together on the second day of a test after putting a final hour collaboration between the two teams to enter the inaugural IMSA Carrera Cup North America championship in the new 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car with driver Max Root.

“This was pretty much a last-minute deal Johnny and I made two Saturday mornings ago after briefly discussing less than 24 hours before,” Moore said.

“He called me literally out of the blue right after we lost our major sponsor we had lined up to support another young American.

“Johnny really called to catch up after learning our teenager from last year had moved to another team. And that’s when the wheels began turning.”

The handshake deal between two friends became a sudden reality that put the Moorespeed team into overdrive to finish prepping the car into the late hours Saturday evening and then ship the car straight to Sebring where it arrived early Monday, March 8, for delivery to the Wright Motorsports crew.

The 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona race winner and longtime Porsche racer RJ Valentine contributed to the effort, helping pull together the resources needed to support the youngster.

“Others had offered to buy the car but I was pretty adamant that I wanted a young driver in the car as we’ve steered our program lately more towards preparing young drivers for the top ranks,” Moore said.

“Johnny was the only guy that suggested a plan that put a young American, Max Root, in the seat, it was 100 percent.

“I’m really humbled that our friendship took the lead helping Max as we’ve been fierce competitors going way back to 1994 and ’95.

“To put things in perspective, both of our first IMSA pro race teams were pitted next to each other at the 1996 Rolex 24 where we both raced, you guessed it, a Porsche.

“We’ve had a long history competing against each other but always have had a strong friendship.”

“Even though David Moore and I have been competitors over half of our lives, we have always shared a passion for racing and giving young drivers opportunities to grow and develop in order to rise through the ranks,” Wright said.

“I’m grateful to David and his help to get the third car on the grid. Our friendship goes back over 25 years, and I’m proud to be working with him on this effort.”

As a college student, Root had exams on Monday, so the team took the opportunity to do some factory updates and set the car up to his liking for a full day of testing last Tuesday.

“This is an amazing opportunity, and I cannot wait to get down to Sebring, get my feet on the ground, and to really focus on the championship this year,” said Root.

“It is an amazing driver field from all over the world, and to participate in such an amazing series as Carrera Cup with Carrera Cup Germany celebrating its 32nd anniversary this year.

“It is a really special thing to come to North America, and I can’t think everyone with this program together enough.”