Poordad Settling Into ‘Completely Different’ GTE World

Fred Poordad says he is “enjoying the process” of adapting to racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship ahead of the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa, which will be his first race on European soil.

Poordad shares the No. 88 Dempsey-Proton Racing Porsche 911 RSR-19 with Patrick Lindsey and Jan Heylen, in their first race as a trio after Julien Andlauer subbed for Heulen at the Sebring season-opener.

The Texan is a two-time class champion in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS and thus has experience racing the Porsche 911 GT3 R.

However, he admits that the step to the WEC has proven a significant one, especially without any testing mileage at the European tracks.

“This is a completely different world, stepping from the GT3 R into the RSR is a big step up,” Poordad told Sportscar365.

“Getting used to the aero, [it’s] quite different.

“And then of course I know Sebring quite well, but the European tracks, I don’t know.

“So without any testing coming here and trying to get up to speed quickly, while at the same time trying to get the car sorted.

“It’s been quite a lot of things, but I’m enjoying the process, enjoying the series.”

Part of the transition involves Poordad moving from his championship-winning GT3 R to the more sophisticated and faster RSR-19

“It is a completely different car, it’s interesting,” he said. “Obviously, the engine location is a little more forward here.

“So it’s more of a mid-engine car, it behaves very differently and it does take a bit of getting used to.

“I don’t know if I prefer one over the other, they’re quite different so I wouldn’t make that comparison.

“But I think over time, I’ll be used to this and I’m sure it’ll be my favorite car to drive ever.”

Poordad will contest the full WEC campaign alongside Lindsey and Heylen, although the trio’s entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains up in the air, with the 57-year-old telling Sportscar365 that a decision will likely come after this weekend’s race.

Regardless of whether he competes at Le Mans or not, Poordad explained that he is excited about the season ahead.

“I have committed to all the other races, other than Le Mans,” Poordad said.

“Part of it too was to experience just the ability to travel to all these wonderful tracks in different continents.

“Very blessed to be able to do that and that in and of itself is part of the experience for me.

“Spa is one of my favorite tracks. Just scenically it’s wonderful, but I’m really looking forward to the cultural differences of going to Japan and then to Bahrain.

“I think that’s going to be just something totally different for me, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Poordad’s partnership with Heylen, who also coaches him, continues after their GTWC America Pro-Am title last year.

“Jan and I have known each other now for six, seven years,” Poordad spoke about his relationship with the Gold-rated Belgian.

“It’s great to have him here, obviously it’s like a little bit of home to have him here. 

“He’s been my coach for years now, so that’s been great and to have him here by my side makes this whole transition easier.”