Pfaff Motorsports To Start in Second Place for The Rolex 24 – Concludes Positive Test At The Roar
FOLLOWING PENALTIES GIVEN TO NO. 79 WEATHERTECH PORSCHE FOR TIRE USAGE INFRACTIONS
Running for the first time an all Pro diver line-up, Pfaff Motorsports highly satisfied with the test program they ran. Having led most of the qualifying race, they had crossed the line in third place within seconds of the no. 79 WeatherTech Porsche. Felipe Nasr and Mathieu Jaminet taking each a relay.
The new all-pro Porsche factory driver lineup of Matt Campbell (AUS), Mathieu Jaminet (FRA), and two-time prototype-class champion Felipe Nasr (BRA) gelled with the team and its Motul-sponsored Porsche 911 GT3 R to close out preseason testing amongst the top in class.
“It was a great experience to jump into the GT3 R and get my first taste [of GT cars] in the qualifying race,” Nasr said. “I have to say that Jaminet did a great job to put the car into the lead and show the pace and potential the number nine has to be up front.
“I got my first opportunity to do a driver change and get the full experience of what I can expect in the race. I want to thank the team for giving me the time and [assistance] to learn all the procedures I needed. It was all about keeping the car on the track and learning as much as I could about racecraft, being around other GT cars, and how the traffic works. I have to check my mirrors way more often. Finishing second, it’s a great starting point for 24. Now I can digest all of this information and come back even better next week.”
For general manager Steve Bortolotti, the trio’s success comes as no surprise, though the performance gives the team added confidence heading into the toughest race of the season.
“It was great to bring all three drivers together this weekend – obviously each has had a great deal of success individually, but to bring them together was exciting for all of us,” he said. “We couldn’t’ be happier with their performance throughout the weekend. We went through a number of scenarios with each driver to better prepare us for the 24, and each did an outstanding job.”
Jaminet shared driving duties with Nasr for Sunday’s 100-minute Rolex qualifying race, and the two-time Daytona podium finisher was impressed with the former F1 driver’s ability to acclimatize to the GT car in such a short period of time.
“It’s been a very smooth weekend with no hiccups,” the Frenchman said. “Felipe got well integrated with [Campbell] and myself, so that’s a very good point to start from. For myself, entering into a new team, it has worked very well. All the setup changes were very positive and we have a lot to build upon and carry into next week, so we’re definitely feeling ready for the 24.”
Excerpt from Pfaff Motorsports release
Images : Pfaff Motorsports / Lenssen Photo
