Porsche Carrera Cup North America racer Michael McCann Jr. is set to make a team switch to debut with Kellymoss for the upcoming ninth and tenth rounds at Road America.
In his third season in the championship, McCann has five top-ten finishes with McCann Racing in 2024, including a best finish of fourth in round two this year at Sebring International Raceway.
The second-generation racer made his series debut in 2021, scoring eight top-ten finishes in the Pro class. Last year his season began well with his first two podium finishes in the championship before a practice crash at Road America eliminated him from that weekend.
“The beginning of the season has been eye-opening to everyone at McCann Racing,” McCann said.
“As a one-car team, there are many pros and cons, but we ultimately agreed that joining forces with Kellymoss offers the best chance of success in the series.
“I’m very thankful to the men and women at McCann Racing for their support in this decision, and am looking forward to what the future holds with Kellymoss.”
The 2024 Kellymoss lineup already includes points leader Loek Hartog, young racer Jake Pederson, former Pro-Am champions Alan Metni and Efrin Castro, series Pro-Am rookie Jordan Wallace, and Masters class racers John Goetz and Chris Bellomo.
“One primary differentiator for a driver considering our team is the volume of data available to parse. This will be very helpful to Michael,” said Andy Kilcoyne, CEO and co-owner of Kellymoss.
“With the addition of Michael, Kellymoss currently fields an impressive nine-car effort in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, offering opportunities to benchmark against the very best in the sport, along with solid coaching and mentoring resources.”
Kellymoss has shown off their winning ways again in 2024 with three Pro wins and three in Pro-am.
“After a successful test with the team at Road America, it is clear that Michael is a solid fit,” added Victoria Thomas, co-owner of Kellymoss.
“Culture is critical and he is exactly the type of person our team can enthusiastically rally around. That’s really important when you are working hard and putting in long hours on and off the track.”
Rounds nine and ten of Porsche Carrera Cup North America will be held at Road America during the first week of August. Round nine is scheduled for 11:45 am on Saturday, August 3 and round ten at 11:35 am on Sunday, August 4.
- Porsche EBOOST North America Junior Program and Porsche Mobil 1® Female Driver Program North America
- Porsche Motorsport North America hosts workshop for Junior and Female Driver Programs
- Porsche Penske Motorsport center of 2024 driver training
- Experts provide valuable insight to the next generation of potential Porsche racers
- History of young driver training deep and successful internationally and domestically
Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) continued its long tradition of preparing the next generation of professional race drivers last week.
The 2024 Porsche Driver Development Workshop was held over two days at the headquarters of Team Penske, factory partner to Porsche in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP class.
Drivers received valuable career experience both hands-on and in sessions with experts from the disciplines of physical training, nutrition, technology, media and career planning.
The workshop, eligible only to Porsche EBOOST North America Junior Program and Porsche Mobil 1 ® Female Driver Program North America drivers, took place July 18 – 19.
The highlight of the Porsche EBOOST North America Junior Program and Porsche Mobil 1 ® Female Driver Program North America each year since 2021 has been the Porsche Driver Development Workshop.
While it has changed in name, format and timing since the launch of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, the core focus of the program has remained steadfast: to offer Porsche one-make drivers’ knowledge to maximize their careers.
All Porsche EBOOST Junior Drivers and Porsche Mobil 1 Female Drivers are invited to attend the official workshop each season. The program provides an opportunity for the drivers to receive a range of educational tools, training and support to take the next step in their career.
The 2024 program was held July 18 – 19 at Team Penske headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. One year earlier, it had been held at the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta in 2023. All drivers came from either the Porsche Carrera Cup North America or the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama.
While the specifics of the agenda change each year, the basics have remained the same since Porsche first began a similar program in Europe for young prospects.
This system was brought to North America in 2012 and ran as the Porsche Young Driver Academy through 2019. It was rebooted in 2021 with the advent of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America and became more focused on drivers currently running in the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America.
This year, drivers received a behind-the-scenes look at the highest level of team operations at Team Penske and the Yokohama Development Center, both in Mooresville.
Other elements of the Workshop included nutritional advice, media and social media instruction as well as the opportunity to train with the Porsche Penske Motorsport GTP race team. American Porsche factory driver Dane Cameron and former international Porsche one-make champion and current Porsche Penske driver Matt Campbell (Australia) were also on hand to offer key insights on how to navigate a career in sports car racing.
The early years
While Porsche has chosen full Junior drivers from the Porsche Global Junior Shootout for decades, Porsche Cars North America and Porsche Motorsport North America first implemented its own program to assist the best young drivers in the United States and Canada to the next level of professional motorsport as well.
Beginning in 2012 and running through 2019, each year, the Porsche Young Driver Academy (PYDA) brought four racers under the age of 24 to a two-day program that included both a classroom day and a track day to hone and display their skills through the direction of experts in their fields.
Like today, the Academy put the drivers through intensive classroom activities with the objective to broaden and sharpen talents not only behind the wheel but also out of the cockpit.
While education was the hallmark of the by invitation-only event, the PYDA also helped determine the IMSA Hurley Haywood Scholarship recipient. At the time, the scholarship was awarded annually to help provide the selected driver with a package of tangible assets to present to teams in IMSA Porsche one-make racing for the next season.
During the span of the program, 33 drivers graduated including future champions like Riley Dickinson, Trent Hindman, Roman De Angelis, Michael De Quesada, Zach Robichon, Elliott Skeer, Madison Snow, Alec Udell and 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric.
2024 Porsche Driver Development Workshop Attendees
- Paul Bocuse. Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama
- Zachary Vanier. Porsche Carrera Cup North America. Pro class winner: Miami (Race 2)
- Elias De La Torre IV. Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
- Jimmy Llibre. Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
- Loni Unser. Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. Female Driver Development Program participant.
- Therese Lahlouh. Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. Female Driver Development Program participant.
- Madeline Stewart. Porsche Carrera Cup North America. Female Driver Development Program participant.
- Caroline Candas. Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. Female Driver Development Program participant.
- Paige Morales. Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. Female Driver Development Program participant.
- Sabré Cook. Porsche Carrera Cup North America. Female Driver Development Program participant. Highest finishing female driver in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, to-date – P8, three times in 2024.
The remarkable 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup North America season has continued to set new records, with the most recent weekend at Watkins Glen establishing a new record for the most number of race winners in a single season.
Already this year, six different drivers have taken their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to victory lane – and we’re only halfway through the season.
The Watkins Glen spotlight shone brightly on Topp Racing’s Ryan Yardley and JDX Racing’s Alex Sedgwick as first-time winners.
They joined championship leader Loek Hartog, Gustav Burton, Zachary Vanier, and Yves Baltas as 2024 winners. Since the championship’s debut in 2021, a total of 14 different winners have driven to victory lane – many using Porsche Carrera Cup North America as a key career stepping stone.
Of those winners, Seb Priaulx, Kay van Berlo, Parker Thompson, and Laurin Heinrich have gone on to taste success in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in GTD machinery.
Every winner but one has been in his early 20s. A victor last year at Watkins Glen, Jason Hart remains the only outlier after taking victory as a 47-year-old.
The focus on opportunities for young drivers is a key motivation for the establishment of the Porsche Eboost Junior Program.
Young drivers in both Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama receive additional support from Porsche Motorsport North America, including mentorship from Porsche legend Patrick Long.
These young drivers, along with members of the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program, are set to head to Mooresville, North Carolina, next week for the brand’s annual driver development workshop.
This year the event will be staged at the Team Penske facility – the same building where the IMSA race-winning Porsche 963 prototype machines from Porsche Penske Motorsports are prepared.
“We’re thrilled to have the support of Porsche Penske Motorsport for our 2024 junior and female workshops,” Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO, Volker Holzmeyer said.
“Many of our factory drivers in the 963 launched their careers via Carrera Cup competition around the world, including Nick Tandy, Mathieu Jaminet, and Matt Campbell. For every young driver in Porsche Carrera Cup North America – one day becoming a Porsche factory driver and getting to race for the brand in prototype machinery is the ultimate goal.”
Workshop participants will receive key career advice at the event focussing on more than just their efforts behind the wheel. Fitness, diet and nutrition, brand management, sponsorship, marketing, social media, and a unique behind-the-scenes look at how television broadcasts are produced for the sport are just some of the key “classes” scheduled.
Porsche focuses heavily on junior driver development around the world. Each of the junior drivers competing in Carrera Cup North America compete for the opportunity to represent Porsche Motorsport North America at the annual Global Shootout. The winning driver from that event earns the opportunity to become an official Porsche Motorsport Junior – following in the footsteps of the likes of Klaus Bacher, Michael Christensen, Mathieu Jaminet, Matt Campbell, Laurin Heinrich and last year’s winner, Frenchman Alessandro Ghiretti
The popularity of Porsche Carrera Cup North America has continued to shine in 2024, with the number of drivers who have raced in the four-year history of the championship reaching 106.
Of those 106 drivers, only two—Kellymoss teammate Efrin Castro and John Goetz—have participated in every race since the championship’s debut at Sebring in 2021.
The series has also attracted strong international interest, with many young stars looking to showcase their talents on the North American stage. While the USA leads the tally with 74 different drivers, 32 drivers from overseas have competed in the championship – 11 of these racers taking overall round victories.
The nationality breakdown of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America alumni includes USA (74) Canada (9), UK (5), Netherlands (3), Germany (3), Venezuela (2), Australia (2), New Zealand (2), Dominican Republic (2), plus Sweden, Puerto Rico, Portugal and France (each with 1).
Topp Racing’s Porsche Carrera Cup North America rookie Colin Kaminsky arrived at last weekend’s Watkins Glen rounds with a new car, new paint scheme, and an even bigger respect for the modern safety advances in motorsport.
The former Indy NXT driver debuted this year at Sebring International Raceway and adapted quickly to finish fifth in his first-ever race in the series. He followed that up with another top-ten finish in seventh in round two.
However, his pair of Formula 1 weekends in Miami and Montreal didn’t quite go to plan. The heavy rain in Sunday’s race in Montreal hampered both traction and vision for the entire field, and Kaminsky, unfortunately, lost control under braking in race two, heading into the final corner.
His No.77 Porsche slid sideways towards the chicane and suffered a dramatic, heavy impact with the Tecpro barrier. Kaminsky ended up in the middle of the road and, fortunately, did not suffer any secondary impacts. Thankfully, he was able to exit the car via the passenger side.
His Topp Racing squad then began a race of their own, putting together a new car for the former open-wheel racer to make the grid for Watkins Glen.
“I went in too deep under braking and lost the rear. I knew I had messed up significantly and that I wanted to get the car turned,” Kaminsky said.
“My first thought was that I had two options. I knew it was going to crash and I didn’t know if it was going to be in the pit lane or in the wall. I didn’t want to go anywhere near the pit lane without knowing who might be standing there, so I chose the wall because I knew I wasn’t going to clear the corner.
“I had time to brace for it – tighten every muscle in my body and get ready for impact. But I knew that it was going to hurt.
“After I came to a stop, I was very shocked that nothing hurt at all. The fact that I got to race at Watkins Glen after walking away from that accident with no broken bones or a concussion is remarkable.
“It’s just a huge testament to the safety of these Porsche race cars that we get to race. Not only that but the advances in our safety equipment, my Bell helmet, the Hans device, the Tecpro barrier – every racer is very thankful for all these advancements.”
As soon as the checkered flag fell in Montreal, the Topp Racing team moved into high gear to get Kaminsky back on track for Watkins Glen.
“The team’s effort was just insane. The tub was destroyed in that crash, but they ordered a new one and built a new car—it is the fastest they’ve ever put a car together. Remarkably, it took them two days!
“By the third day, they were wrapping the car in a brand new livery. The team actually had to split up a bit as they had commitments in Porsche Sprint Challenge the following weekend.
“It really was remarkable. Post Montreal, they headed to Texas where their shop is, build the car, and then be on track at Watkins Glen – it is a logistical miracle and it’s a huge testament to them and how strong and capable they are.”
Kaminsky repaid their faith in him at Watkins Glen by qualifying eighth and finishing both races in the top ten for the second time this season – seventh in race one and ninth in round two.
That in itself would have counted as a win for Topp Racing – but they went even better with Ryan Yardley clinching his and the team’s first overall victory in round seven.
Despite his dramatic Montreal weekend, Kaminsky loved racing not only in Montreal but on all the tracks on the Porsche Carrera Cup North America schedule this year.
“It was a cool event and despite the bad memories, Montreal is still a cool track,” he said.
“I’m really enjoying my time in Porsche Carrera Cup North America. It’s incredibly competitive and I love all the tracks that we’re going to, which is really cool. I had never been to Watkins Glen before, I haven’t raced at Road Atlanta either.
“It’s so very cool to get a diverse calendar, race in front of the IMSA paddock, and at the Formula 1 events to showcase myself.”
JDX Racing’s British ace Alex Sedgwick became the sixth different driver in eight races to taste victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America today at Wakins Glen International.
Sedgwick’s victory set a new record for the championship with 2024 now the first season to ever feature six winners in a single season. With the season now at the halfway mark, the potential exists for this record to expand even further.
Starting from pole, Sedgwick leapt into the lead off the start but the race was quickly disrupted by a multiple-car crash between turns one and two that eliminated eight cars from the race and brought out a 20-minute safety car period.
Pro-class racers Jake Pedersen, Madeline Stewart, and Angel Benitez were eliminated along with Pro-Am drivers Efrin Castro, Alan Metni, Alan Tutino, and Moisey Uretsky, plus Masters competitor Chris Bellomo.
On the restart, Sedgwick made a strong restart to maintain his lead over championship leader Loek Hartog with yesterday’s winner Ryan Yardley in third.
The victory for the British driver was the second time he was first across the line at the checkered flag. In round three at Miami, he was first to the flag but received a penalty for pulling out of line at the race start.
Sedgwick is the 14th driver to win in Porsche Carrera Cup North America and the fourth driver from the UK.
“ Finally! We’ve had lots of thirds, lots of seconds, but this is my first win – the first one that I actually get to keep,” Sedgwick said.
“I’m super happy. It was a really hard race. Loek pushed me really hard, and I was managing the tire and managing the gap – but now I’m really happy to get the first one out of the way, and hopefully, we can keep it rolling for what is going to be a good second half to the year.
“This championship is so competitive. It’s pretty wild. Look at qualifying, that’s half a tenth or less that can make a huge difference. You have to be perfect in this series and be at the top of your game the whole time to even be in the top five, let alone win.”
In the Pro-Am class, ACI Motorsports racer Pedro Torres took his first series victory ahead of teammate Marco Cirone and MDK Motorsports driver Kenton King.
”I’m happy with the win but just glad Efrin (Castro) Alan (Metni) and everyone else is ok after the crash.” Torres said.
“It was my first win, but I wish they could have all been still out there because then, it would have felt a little better. But a win is still a win. I don’t know how I didn’t crash myself as people were spinning all around me.”
Torres’s ACI Motorsports teammate Richard Edge also tasted success in the Masters class – taking his second win from two races at Watkins Glen.
The Atlanta-based racer led home last year’s class champion Mark Kvamme (MDK Motorsports), and 2024 points leader, Matt Halcome.
Yesterday’s pole winner Scott Blind held the lead until late in the race but suffered a spin which left him in the path of Pro-Am racer Jeff Mosing who couldn’t avoid him.
“We got a bit lucky, but the team has done an unbelievable job this week,” Edge said.
“The guys that have worked with us including Spencer Pumpelly, Adam Tanner, Curt Swearingin from ACI, as well as Kay van Berlo. They’ve all done an amazing job getting me to where I’m at.
“We still have a lot of competition from those guys from Kellymoss. Hopefully, we can stay on top and look for more championship points.”
Championship leaders at the halfway point of the 2024 season are Loek Hartog (Pro), Marco Cirone (Pro-Am), and Matt Halcome (Masters).
Rounds nine and ten of the 2024 championship will be staged at Road America from August 2-4.
Topp Racing and Ryan Yardley scored their first-ever Porsche Carrera Cup North America victories with an impressive performance from pole position at Watkins Glen International.
Yardley became the 13th winner of a Porsche Carrera Cup North America race and the second driver from the Southern hemisphere – the New Zealander joining Australian Tom Sargent as a race winner.
He is also the fifth race winner of 2024 – joining Loek Hartog (Kellymoss), Gustav Burton (MDK), Zach Vanier (JDX Racing) and Yves Baltas in victory lane. This equals the series record for the most individual winners in a season from 2022.
Topp Racing has scored class wins in the past – including two Pro-Am wins for Jeff Mosing here at Watkins Glen last year – but today was the Texas team’s first overall win.
Yardley stormed into the lead from pole, holding off strong early pressure from championship leader Hartog.
A full-course yellow put Yardley under pressure, but he was able to retain his lead despite pressure from behind. A late-race yellow flag clinched the victory for Yardley, who led home Hartog and MDK Motorsports’ Dan Clarke.
Clarke led a chase of Baby Bull Racing’s Michael Cooper for much of the race before squeezing through to clinch the final podium spot on lap nine.
“It’s obviously great to convert the pole into a win here at Watkins Glen,” Yardley said.
“It was an awesome race, and I have to say a massive thank you to everyone at Topp Racing and TCS Fuels for a fast car. The start of the race was pretty tough, with some pressure from behind.
“Then I settled in, and we had a nice little gap. I managed one restart, held the lead there and that was it. I have to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s got me to this point.
“To get my first win is a bit of a relief, but now I’m ready for the rest of the season.”
Former Pro-Am series champion Alan Metni took the victory aboard his Kellymoss entry after getting past pole-sitter Marco Cirone before the halfway mark.
The victory was Metni’s second win of the year. He also tasted victory in round two at Sebring earlier this year.
Efrin Castro finished second in class, with Pedro Torres completing the podium in third.
A new Masters Class winner emerged with ACI Motorsports’ Richard Edge, scoring this first win.
Edge was pressured early by pole winner Scott Blind who ended up in the sand trap after contact with another car.
“That was great. My first win in Carrera Cup,” said Edge.
“The ACI motorsports team gave me a good car and I really just focused on hitting my marks out there and keeping the guys behind me.
“It ended up working out. I had a bit of a rough restart because I got some junk on my tires, but I was able to clean that off and stay ahead of the group.
“It worked out great. I’m super excited for everybody on the team. I’m stoked.”
Points leader Matt Halcome finished second in class with series newcomer Jody Miller – graduating from Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama – earning a podium on debut.
Round eight of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America will be contested on Saturday at Watkins Glen at 11:00 a.m. Live coverage will be available on PorscheCarreraCup.us, Peacock, IMSA.tv, and youtube.com/@imsaofficial.
Topp Racing’s Ryan Yardley earned his first-ever Porsche Carrera Cup North America pole position with a stunning performance at Watkins Glen International.
The New Zealander recorded a time of 1:48.441 in the final minutes of qualifying to edge out the Pro class points leader Loek Hartog by 0.091 seconds.
Hartog will start second in the No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche, followed by the No. 98 JDX Racing Porsche of Alex Sedgwick.
Baby Bull Racing’s Michael Cooper and the No. 9 JDX entry of Zachary Vanier completed the top five in the Pro class qualifying.
“ It’s awesome to get pole here at Watkins Glen. I love driving this track, and it’s really nice to reward the team with a pole,” Yardley said.
“I had a tough qualifying in Canada a couple of weeks ago. So, I’ve been kind of kicking myself ever since then. It’s nice to start on the pole here and hopefully, we have a good race.
“I have to give a massive thank you to Todd, David, and everyone at Top Racing and TCS Fuels for this awesome car and for giving me the opportunity.”
Marco Cirone took top qualifying honors in Pro-Am in his No. 84 ACI Motorsports Porsche, thanks to a 1:49.751 lap time that put him 12th overall in the field.
Kellymoss Racers Alan Metni and Efrin Castro completed the top three.
”Oh boy, that was a tough one. This one definitely goes out to ACI Mark Motors Racing Team,” Cirone said.
“They worked so feverishly to try to get the perfect car under these difficult weather conditions. The track is constantly changing, and to have the right tire temps is absolutely critical – these guys nailed it.”
Masters class pole honors went to Scott Blind in the No. 45 Rukus Racing Porsche – another first-time pole winner in Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
ACI Motorsports duo Richard Edge and Masters championship leader Matt Halcome completed the top three.
“The guys have done just a fabulous job getting this car set up,” Blind said.
“We were here a couple of weeks ago testing, so we’re familiar with the track. We made all the tweaks, and the guys have just done a great job giving me something easy to drive.
“I was fortunate to get some gaps in qualifying – it’s all been great. We’re now really looking forward to the race.”
The first race of the weekend will start at 4:20 p.m. EDT this afternoon. Live coverage will be available on PorscheCarreraCup.us, Peacock, IMSA.tv, and youtube.com/@imsaofficial.
ExxonMobil’s Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline becomes official fuel of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America
The impressive field of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship are now fueled by ExxonMobil’s Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline – the same fuel available at the pump at gas stations across North America. ExxonMobil’s debut as the official fuel for the series is set to be at the iconic Watkins Glen International circuit in upstate New York on June 20-22.
Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline is ExxonMobil’s most advanced fuel formulation to date, featuring an additive package that boasts a friction modifier that reduces wear and tear on engines by 30 percent and offers an enhanced detergent package, both of which can lead to improved performance and fuel economy.**
“ExxonMobil’s Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline is the perfect fit for the high-performance demands of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America,” says Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of the Porsche Motorsport North America, “The fact that everyday drivers can use the same fuel and get the same great performance that our drivers do is remarkable.”
Whether powering racers around the 3.450-mile circuit at Watkins Glen, or helping keep everyday drivers’ vehicles in top performance, Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline keeps your engine 3x cleaner for better gas mileage* for motorsports fans of all types.
“Since 1996, Porsche and ExxonMobil have joined forces to get groundbreaking performance on both the track and roads across North America,” said Nicolas Lavery, North America Product Development Manager at ExxonMobil. “Each partner has developed technologies that have resulted in incredible motorsport success, and we’re excited to use Exxon and Mobil’s Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline in Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars this year. This is the same fuel we offer consumers every day at the pump.”
By fuelling the high-performance world of the PCCNA with Synergy Supreme+ fuel, ExxonMobil offers a feeling of racing excellence to anyone who visits an Exxon or Mobil Station. To learn more about Exxon and Mobil’s Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline you can visit https://www.exxon.com/en/synergy-supreme-plus. For additional information on the Porsche Carrera Cup including race schedule, photo galleries, and driver rankings, visit PorscheCarreraCup.us.
Be sure to follow @exxonmobilstations and @porschemotorsportnorthamerica on Instagram to stay updated on the latest news.
*Based on comparison of Synergy Supreme+ gas compared to Synergy regular gas in port fuel injected engines. Actual benefits are based on continuous use and may vary depending on vehicle type, driving style, and gasoline previously used. Concentration and availability of our proprietary additive package may vary based on factors beyond our control.
**Based on Synergy Supreme+ gas compared to gasoline meeting minimum government standards. Wear reduction was measured by an industry standard lubricant test. Actual benefits are based on continuous use and may vary depending on vehicle type, driving style, and gasoline previously used. Concentration and availability of our proprietary additive package may vary based on factors beyond our control.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America returns to its roots this week. After two race weekends supporting the Formula 1 ® World Championship, first at Miami and then at Montréal, the premier one-make series returns to its role supporting IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Six Hours of The Glen.
Watkins Glen International will host rounds seven and eight of the 16-race 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Challenge North America calendar. The June 20 – 22 weekend will feature 35 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars across the three classes.
The 3.4-mile, 11-turn traditional road course in the Finger Lakes region of New York state will host the two, 40-minute races. Practice begins on Thursday morning, June 20, with a second session that afternoon.
A 30-minute qualifying session for all cars comes on Friday morning with the first of the two rounds to take the green flag at 4:20 p.m. ET on the afternoon of Friday, June 21. The second race, round eight and midpoint of the season, will run at 11:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 22.
Watkins Glen International has hosted two rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America each season since the series debut in 2021. But Watkins Glen has a much longer tradition of hosting Porsche one-make racing. The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama celebrated its 100th series race at “The Glen” in 2013.
WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL FAST FACTS
- Field. 35 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars are entered for the weekend.
- Pro class. 15 Pro-Am class. 11 Masters class. 9
- Teams. 12 race teams are represented across all three classes.
Track Record: 1:47.151, Kay van Berlo, No. 3 Kellymoss, set in 2022
2023 Race Winners
Pro.
Race 1. Jason Hart, MDK Motorsports
Race 2. Will Martin, JDX Racing
Pro-Am.
Race 1. Jeff Mosing, Topp Racing
Race 2. Jeff Mosing, Topp Racing
Masters (then known as Am).
Race 1. John Goetz, Wright Motorsports
Race 2. Mark Kvamme, MDK Motorsports
Point Leaders.
Pro. Loek Hartog, No. 24 Kellymoss
Pro-Am. Moisey Uretsky, No. 44 Baby Bull Racing
Masters. Matt Halcome, No. 55 ACI Motorsports
Entrants. MDK Motorsports
Schedule. All times Eastern
Thursday, June 20.
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Practice 1
3:00 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. – Practice 2
Friday, June 21.
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Qualifying (all classes)
4:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Race 1 (40-minutes)
Saturday, June 22.
11:00 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. – Race 2 (40-minutes)
Hometown heroes.
Two New York-based drivers are entered in this weekend’s Porsche Carrera Cup North America rounds at Watkins Glen International. Included is Yves Balatas. Balatas, who earned his first career Pro class victory in race one at Montréal, lives in New York City. Veteran driver Michael Cooper calls Huntington, New York home.
Legacy track.
Watkins Glen International is a “Legacy Track” on the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup schedule. The track joins Sebring International Raceway, Road America, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta as tracks that hosted the premier one-make race series in 2021 debut season of the series. “The Glen” joins only Sebring and Indianapolis as having hosted Carrera Cup every season.
ANDIAL Cup.
Debuting in 2024, the ANDIAL Cup is a championship within the championship awarded to participants at the most iconic road courses in North America. The ANDIAL Cup, named for the legendary Porsche race and road prep company provides competitors an additional award for competing at the most iconic road courses on the continent.
All full season competitors receive automatic entry for the ANDIAL Cup, while those interested in running only at the more storied tracks can compete for a championship. ANDIAL Cup tracks include Sebring International Raceway, Watkins Glen International, Road America, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
All in the name.
Second-year driver Sabré Cook has made a name for herself in the series. However, it is often a name that people get wrong when they pronounce it. The Colorado native, now living in Indianapolis, took the time to create a tongue-in-cheek video to help solve the pronunciation issues. Learn exactly how to say “Hi” to the driver of the No. 37 MDK Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car on Instagram by clicking here.
142 passengers.
As Alzheimer’s Awareness Month draws to a close, MDK Motorsports will carry 142 names on the No. 43 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car driven by Mark Kvamme (Columbus, Ohio). To date, Racing to End Alzheimer’s has raised over $1 million for its two beneficiaries, the Nantz National Alzheimer’s Center at Houston Methodist Hospital and the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program. 2023 saw the program raise a record $254,000 and Racing to End Alzheimer’s looks to exceed that effort this year. The 142 names on the car represent people from all walks of life who have suffered from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Mobil 1™ Female Driver Program.
Longtime Porsche Motorsport partner Mobil 1™, in conjunction with Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA), announced support of the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program North America on June 11. In 2023, PMNA began the program to help support aspiring female drivers compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. In the autumn of last year, the program was extended across all one-make race series on its Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America including not only Carrera Cup but also Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama and, in 2024, Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.
The program includes:
- Financial Support. 50% of the season entry fee for each female driver will be covered to ensure access to race the full racing season.
- Performance Incentives. Complimentary sets of Yokohama race tires to top-performing female drivers.
- Training. Specialized workshops for female drivers will provide valuable training and networking opportunities to advance their careers – including mentoring from legendary Porsche driver Patrick Long.
2024 participants include Sabré Cook and Madeline Stewart in Porsche Carrera Cup North America as well as Paige Morales, Caroline Candas, Loni Unser, Ashley Freiberg and Therese Lahlouh in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama
To the point.
With more race victories than any other Pro class competitor, three, Loek Hartog (Netherlands) sits atop the overall standings. The first-year driver has 110 points in the No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. He holds a 23-point margin lead in the Pro class championship over Michael Cooper (Huntington, New York). Cooper sits five points up on Alex Sedgwick (United Kingdom). The battle is far tighter in the Pro-Am category where two-time class winner Moisey Uretsky (Miami, Florida) with 103 markers, is a single point ahead of Marco Cirone (Canada). Jordan Wallace (Annapolis, Maryland) is in third place with 80 points. Matt Halcome, with 138 points, leads the Masters class. The Dallas, Georgia driver has a 38-point gap over Chris Bellomo (Portola Valley, California).
A victory pays 25 points, second place 20 and third place is awarded with 17 points. A pole position is worth two points while a fastest race lap will add an additional point to the total of a driver in each class.
Broadcast.
Races air live at PorscheCarreraCup.us, on the IMSA YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@imsaofficial, on the Peacock streaming app and at IMSA.tv. All are archived on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/PorscheMotorsportNorthAmerica.
On the web. www.PorscheCarreraCup.us.
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Now, in its second year as a two-car team in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Baby Bull Racing has not only taken its first steps, but this pair of Bulls are on the charge!
Team owner Moisey Uretsky added a second car in the Pro class last year, with former GT World Challenge ace Michael Cooper racing a second edition of the team’s distinctly liveried Porsche 911 GT3 Cup entries.
At the most recent round at the Miami Grand Prix, the team pulled out its best pair of finishes to date. Uretsky finished third in the opening race and capped off his home race weekend with a victory in the Pro-am class on Sunday.
And to repeat that performance, Baby Bull Racing mirrored that result in round six of the the championship at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Uretsky and Cooper also combine for the team’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign aboard a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, but this combination started by accident—literally!
“I was racing a TCA car in Portland back in 2018 in my first year in pro racing, and with about three laps to go, I got a bit sideways coming out of the final turn, and I got nailed in the rear by Michael in a faster TCR car and got spun off,” Uretsky said.
“A couple of years later, I was looking for a co-driver, my old driving coach Justin Piscitell suggested we talk to Michael. He had worked with him before and told me that I should know him. I told him, “I’ve never met the guy…”
“He reminded me all about Portland – I wasn’t thrilled at the time and left in a hurry, but apparently, Michael came to try to find me to apologize.
“We had a good laugh about it when he joined the team, and he has been a huge help to me. Our approach is very similar, and having somebody with his experience as part of the team has been really beneficial for a guy like me who started racing a bit later in life.”
He was born in Russia and grew up in New York, but Miami is now home to Uretsky. Coming away from that event with four top fives, three trophies, and a win certainly meant a lot.
“It was a great home race for us. The Formula 1 events are always a big deal, and I really like the Miami track – it’s a lot of fun to drive,” Uretsky said.
“I think the Carrera Cup car is very well suited for that track. It was the first time Michael was racing there, he said the same thing. There are passing opportunities, and chances to get things right but also very wrong. I was fortunate to have a good start in the second race and make up a few places.
“There were a few yellows in the Sunday race but it did make the end very exciting. You knew in that final dash to the flag everyone was going to go 100 percent because, if you don’t improve your position, that’s kind of where you’re at.
“The atmosphere at Miami, the crowd, and the entire event itself are all fantastic, and finishing up standing on the Formula 1 podium was really special.
“In Montreal, the weather was definitely a bit challenging. The track was pretty good in the conditions, but the visibility was impossible. At 150 miles an hour, you couldn’t see anything and you are kind of guessing.
“You can’t even see the walls to the side, but I’m happy we survived. Baby Bull Racing also got third overall, so that one’s for our man Jason Hoover. He’s a little bit under the weather, so we hope he’s feeling better and what better way to get him there, than two podiums.
Miami, Montreal, and Austin are the trio of Formula 1 races on the Porsche Carrera Cup North America calendar for 2024. Porsche, of course, is no stranger to showcasing the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup on the Formula 1 stage.
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has taken place on the Formula 1 schedule for the past 31 seasons and will continue this year with eight events, including the most recent round on the streets of Monaco.
While the Formula 1 events are a highlight, Uretsky and Cooper will face some busy weekends at the rounds on the IMSA schedule – juggling their Carrera Cup efforts with their IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge program.
While the engine in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport are the same, the two cars present different challenges.
“It is definitely better to go from a Porsche to a Porsche – 100 percent better than running another GT4 car,” Uretsky said.
“There are a lot of similarities between the two cars including little things like where the buttons are on the steering wheel.
“The Cayman is actually a bit more adjustable because the set-up in the Cup car is kind of set.
“The good news is that they drive similarly. The GT3 cup car is obviously faster. It brakes later, brakes harder, the tires are bigger, and it really communicates with the driver more.
“GT4 makes for great racing, and it’s also great to see the different manufacturers competing. In Carrera Cup, it is all about driver talent and car setup.”
