Pfaff Motorsports’ plaid Motul #9 back in action for IMSA Petit Le Mans

PFAFF MOTORSPORTS PRESENCE HAS BEEN MISSED IN BATTLING IT OUT FOR TOP GTD HONOURS SINCE THE SERIES RESUMED BACK IN JULY

After a prolonged absence from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, caused by travel restrictions for team members and drivers, Pfaff Motorsports will return to the series for the signature 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans. 

The no. 9 Motul-sponsored “Plaid Porsche” 911 GT3 R will be driven by Canadian Zach Robichon, Porsche development driver and Nurburgring lap-record holder Lars Kern (GER), and Intercontinental GT champion, Dennis Olsen (NOR), the trio having previously contested the 24 Hours of Daytona with Patrick Pilet and Pfaff in January. 

“It was very disappointing not to be racing in July when the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship made its return,” said team manager Steve Bortolotti. “We felt we had all the pieces in place to make a run at the championship in our sophomore season. Our team is made up predominantly of Pfaff employees who work in our dealerships when not racing; travel restrictions between the United States and Canada made a full season return impossible in July when the series resumed. However, for Petit Le Mans, quarantining for two weeks upon returning to Canada for the series’ signature event made sense for all of us, especially as a way to thank our partners for sticking by our side during these challenging times.” 

The Pfaff Motorsports team did not have an idle summer, reactivating its driver-development program in the Canadian Touring Car Championship with an Audi RS3 TCR and 17-year-old Zachary Vanier. Winning five of six races, and taking five of six pole positions, Vanier became the youngest champion in the CTCC series’ history. 

Looking ahead to the race at Road Atlanta, Bortolotti said: “Motul Petit Le Mans is one of the most exciting events on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar. Our partners at Motul and Porsche Motorsport North America have been incredibly supportive during this challenging season, and we couldn’t be more excited for our return to IWSC championship competition at Motul’s headline event.”

Excerpt and image: Pfaff Motorsports / Lenssen Photo