Pfaff Motorsports looking for better fortune at Long Beach sprint race
AFTER A STUNNING VICTORY AT THE TWELVE HOURS OF SEBRING, PFAFF MOTORSPORT RETURNS TO AN EVENT WHERE THE TEAM ENCOUNTERED AN EQUALLY DRAMATIC ENDING IN 2022
At last year’s Grand Prix of Long Beach, the No. 9 Driveway Porsche 911 GT3 R fell victim to a rogue wheel nut from a competitor’s pit box flying into the Plaid Porsche’s radiator housing during the mid-race stop. The puncture led to the team’s only retirement of the 2022 season, but famously was deemed one of IMSA’s Top-10 Memorable Moments of the year.
This year, Pfaff seeks redemption at the street circuit with drivers Klaus Bachler and Patrick Pilet. This will be Bachler’s first race at Long Beach, but the Austrian has previously run the street courses in Monaco and Norisring. Pilet, meanwhile, is a previous winner at Long Beach in the GTLM class. As for the team, the No. 9 Porsche finished runner-up in its first outing in 2021 as part of the GTD class.
Saturday’s 100-minute race at Long Beach follows the two longest events of the season, with the 24 Hours of Daytona held in January. Fifth place at Daytona coupled with the GTD Pro class win at Sebring has the drivers third in the championship standings amid the team’s quest for a third IMSA title in as many years.
The Grand Prix of Long Beach sprint race is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at 5:05 p.m. ET (2:05 p.m. PT local time). The race will broadcast live on USA Network and Peacock TV, with qualifying on Friday evening streaming at 8:15 p.m. ET on IMSA.tv.
Team Quotes:
Klaus Bachler: “After a short break, I will be back in the U.S. for the third round of the IMSA championship. It’s one of my season highlights, the street course at Long Beach. I’ve prepared with the simulator and by watching the races from the last two years. The track seems to be very cool. Patrick and I spoke also a lot about some details, as he’s very experienced with the championship and the track. Honestly, I feel confident, I feel well prepared and I’m looking forward to it.”
Patrick Pilet: “Long Beach is a great track. We come from the two longest races of the season to the shortest one. It’s a real sprint between the walls. It’s always special to be on a street circuit – a bit like the Monaco of the U.S. It’s a lot of fun, it’s a great atmosphere. There’s not a lot of driving, but the track is nice and I have a lot of good memories there with some victories. Qualifying is always important, but every year we can see many things happen there with a lot of yellows and contact. You have to stay far from the wall, but not too far because then you are slow. It’s always a big challenge, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Excerpt from Pfaff Motorsports press release
Image : Pfaff Motorsports / Lenssen Photo
