Yardley, Topp Racing “Here to Fight” for Carrera Cup Titles

After finishing runner-up to reigning champion Loek Hartog in 2024, Ryan Yardley said he and Topp Racing are “here to fight” and finish the job to secure both the Porsche Carrera Cup North America drivers’ and entrants’ titles this season.

Yardley’s win in Race 1 in Montreal and a string of consistent podium finishes in all but one of the eight races this season have placed him second in the Pro class championship, eight points behind 2023 series champions Riley Dickinson.

Furthermore, the Kiwi’s efforts alongside teammate Tyler Maxson have helped the Texas-based team climb to the top of the entrants’ standings, where they hold a three-point lead over series powerhouse Kellymoss heading into the Road America race weekend.

Maxson is also in contention to for the rookie’s championship, with the 20-year-old Georgia native just six points down on Aaron Jeansonne.

“At the start of the year, I think the goal for everyone is to come into the championship with the mindset of trying to win the championship,” Yardley told Sportscar365. “That was my mindset coming in. I knew that we could fight for the championship.

“It’s what it’s all about. There are plenty of championships to play for here. The team’s championship, the drivers’, and the rookie, and thankfully, we’re in contention for all three right now with Tyler.

“That’s what we’re here to do, and I know everyone else in pit lane is here to do the same thing. It’s obviously a big target and a big goal to shoot for, but that’s what we’re here for, and we’re here to fight.

“It’s been super nice to have that consistency.

“Of course, we want more race wins. We’ve only got one to our name so far. But if we can’t win a race, it’s important to make sure that we keep getting podiums to keep scoring these high points, and I’ve had a couple of poles along the way, which has been nice for those extra couple of points.

“I would say it’s a good start to the year. There’s still plenty more racing to go and more opportunities to win races and score points.”

Yardley has been a part of Topp Racing since he began his sports car racing career in the Carrera Cup paddock three years ago and says he’s enjoyed growing and developing alongside the team to the point where fighting for titles together is a possibility.

“It’s so cool to see Topp at the top right now,” he said. “I joined the team three years ago, and it was a pretty rude awakening to sports car racing. My first time driving a sports car was in a Carrera Cup car.

“It’s pretty cool to be part of the journey with the team. I’m obviously here for myself, but it’s also pretty cool to see Topp Racing, TCS, Apex Capital, and all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

“I remember when I joined the team, the team had never won a race, never got pole, never finished in the top three in the championship and all these sorts of things.

“Last year, we finished second in the driver’s championship, and now I’m fighting for the driver’s championship this year, and the team being in the lead [of the entrants’ points] is pretty cool.

“A massive amount of people have put in a lot of hard work over the last three years, and it’s cool to see the team grow as well as myself.”

Despite Yardley and Dickinson emerging as the two primary championship protagonists this season, the Topp driver felt that multiple competitors from various teams could be in contention by the end of the season.

The year has already seen four separate drivers in victory lane and as many different pole sitters, including Maxson, who claimed his first-ever Carrera Cup pole on Friday.

“Obviously, there’s a bunch of fast cars,” said Yardley. “It’s not just Riley and myself. There’s a bunch of other teams and drivers that are mixing it up at the front. It’s by no means a two-horse race. There’s a long way to go. 

“I knew that it was always going to be tough.

“One-make racing is extremely tough. I knew it’s not going to be easy, and it definitely isn’t easy, but it’s been a good first half of the year, and we’re much closer to the championship lead this time this year than we were this time last year, so that’s exciting. 

“We just need to execute. I think we have a fast car and I think I’m driving the car relatively well, so it’s just about execution and not leaving any of those one-percenters on the table.

“We’re in the ballpark and we’ve got a good package. Just those fine margins that will either put you on the front row or it won’t. Execution is the big thing.

“So, second last year, hopefully we can go one better this year.”