Toronto based AWA Racing Team confirms 2020 season in IMSA Michelin Challenge in GS class

KUNO WITTMER TO CO-DRIVE MCLAREN 570 S GT4 WITH OREY FIDANI

AWA had initially started the 2019 season with a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport with drivers Scott Hargrove and Orey Fidani at the wheel.

Come mid-season at Road America, the team made the switch to run a McLaren 570 S GT4 and at the last race of the season at Road Atlanta, with drivers Chris Green and Orey Fidani, finished with a fifth place.

Three McLaren 570 S were entered in IMSA Michelin Challenge in 2019, all run by Canadian based team.

It looks as if, in 2020, AWA Racing Team may be the only McLaren to run in the series and will be looking to build on the momentum they had at the last race.

Not waisting time, they held a private test day at CTMP in late October and ran Montreal Kuno Wittmer to give him a taste of the AWA Orlando Corporation #13 McLaren GT4.

Team principal and engineer Andrew Wojteczko: “We completed a test in late 2019 with Kuno Wittmer, and it was evident that he and Orey were a natural fit ­– while his speed on track was clearly evident, his professionalism, coaching skills and history of producing results without crashing cars made it an easy choice.”

Kuno came out very satisfied with what he had experienced: “I am very pleased to be part of the team and joining forces with Orey as his co-driver,” commented Wittmer. “We had the chance to test the McLaren 570S GT4 in October 2019 at CTMP and my overall impressions were strong on how well the team and Orey performed. Orey has shown the pace and the will to elevate the AWA team to new levels of competition. No secrets here – we will fight hard all year round for the championship and race victories.”

“Orey has enjoyed the 570S thoroughly, and produced impressive results including multiple top-10’s in qualifying – especially considering 2019 presented circuits that he was seeing for the first time.” Wojteczko continued. “Chris Green was a great addition to the program last year and did a fantastic job behind the wheel and under the tent, but his demanding roll as General Manager at McLaren Toronto meant the full IMSA schedule would require too much time away.”

“I’m excited to pick up where we finished off in 2019,” Wojteczko added. “We have a competitive platform and both McLaren Toronto and McLaren Customer Racing have been great partners to work with. All of the pieces are in place for a great season and I’m extremely grateful to Orey, Pfaff and Steve Bortolotti for the opportunity to campaign this program.”

The team is in final preparation to then head out to Daytona International Speedway for the Roar before the Rolex 24 3-day testing to take place Jan. 3-5.

Image: Patrice Marchessault / PMstills Photography – Jordan Lenssen / Lenssen Photo