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GT World Challenge America

Up to Six New Porsche 911 GT3 Rs Possible for 2019

Significant presence expected from Porsche in Blancpain GT World Challenge America…

Photo: Porsche

As many as a half-dozen Porsche 911 GT3 Rs could take to the grid in Blancpain GT World Challenge America, in what looks set to be a significantly increased field of GT3 machinery in the new-look championship this year.

Sportscar365 understands that Alegra Motorsports, Wright Motorsports and GMG Racing will be among the anchor teams running the new-for-2019 GT3 contender, which made its formal debut in last weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Alegra, which ran a single-car Pro entry last year, appears set to expand into a two-car team, with Wright poised to return to full-time SRO Motorsports America competition with up to two cars.

James Sofronas’ GMG outfit, meanwhile, is expected to have at least one new Porsche 911 GT3 R on the grid, having recently received the car.

Program and driver lineup announcements are expected to begin later this week from Porsche’s various customer teams.

According to Porsche 911 GT3 R project manager Sebastian Golz, significant traction is being made in the North American market, particularly Blancpain GT America.

“We are pushing a lot, including with PMNA in the U.S.,” Golz told Sportscar365. “We have quite nice teams. The PWC championship will be increased with more teams.”

When asked on the number of cars that he expects, Golz said it’s been a moving target in recent days.

“But we are expecting between four and six,” he said. “The American market is quite nice.”

Last year, Porsche was represented by single full-season entries from Alegra and Pfaff Motorsports, which claimed the GT Sprint title with Scott Hargrove.

However, both Pfaff and Hargrove have moved to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition.

In addition to the increased effort from Porsche, at least four Mercedes-AMG GT3 and three Ferrari 488 GT3s are expected to be on the grid, along with the two recently announced K-PAX Bentley Continental GT3s and Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo.

At least two additional GT3 programs have also yet to be announced.

SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel previously outlined an 18-car target for the season.

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

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