Second Wright Porsche Moved to Pro; Schuring Subs for Lahlouh

Photo: Gruppe C Photography/Porsche

Wright Motorsports has moved one of its Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo entries for this weekend’s Desder Indianapolis 8 Hour to the Pro class, with Porsche-contracted driver Morris Schuring joining Thomas Merrill and Kevin Estre in the newly numbered No. 120 entry.

This comes as Merrill’s full season GT World Challenge America powered by AWS co-driver Therese Lahlouh has been forced out of the cockpit for the second consecutive race due to complications from an illness and allergic reaction.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed that Therese won’t be able to join us at Indianapolis, but the most important thing is that she continues to take the time she needs to fully recover,” said team manager Bob Viglione.

“We’re grateful for everyone who has supported her throughout this process.

“At the same time, we’re very pleased to have Morris join Thomas and Kevin.

“He’s a talented Porsche driver with the experience and skill to step into this program seamlessly, and we’re confident this lineup gives the No. 120 a very strong opportunity to win in the Pro class.”

Schuring, who is fresh off last weekend’s Motul Petit Le Mans with Manthey, added:  “I’m very stoked to be joining the Wright Motorsports team and being a part of this lineup.

“It will be my first time at the Indy 8 Hour and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a race that has been on my bucket list, so I’m very happy that it’s happening for me now.

“I look up to the Wright Motorsports group with a lot of respect, they are fantastic, and I’m very happy to be working with Thomas and Kevin.

“I think it will be a strong package in the Pro category, we have fresh momentum and everything we need to do great things at Indy.”

The team’s second Porsche entry will remain in the Pro-Am class with championship hopefuls Ryan Yardley and Dave Musial Jr. being joined by Porsche factory star Laurin Heinrich.

The change now means there will be six cars in the top class and strengthen’s Porsche’s chance of taking a second Intercontinental GT Challenge manufacturers’ title in the last three years.

The German manufacturer holds a 38-point lead over Mercedes-AMG following AO by Absolute Racing’s win in last months’ Suzuka 1000km.

Reflecting on her early end to the season, Lahlouh said: “I’m devastated to have my season end early, but I’m not going to let this take away everything we’ve accomplished this year.

“Missing Indianapolis is incredibly hard. Thomas has been such a huge part of my development, and the opportunity to share our car with Kevin was something I had been looking forward to so much.

“I wanted to finish this season strong with them and have a chance to kiss bricks with Wright Motorsports.”

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