Carrera Cup competition around the world has long proved to be the perfect training ground for international motorsport stars.

For two Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America alums – last weekend’s round of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship was their time to shine.

Kay van Berlo – Carrera Cup North America record holder for the most wins, poles, and fastest laps – and 2022 series Pro-Am Champion Alan Metni combined to take their first GTD IMSA victory for Kellymoss with Riley at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The duo are just two of a host of former Carrera Cup alumni both from the North American series or international cup competition.

Last week’s WeatherTech field also included:

  • Matt Campbell (2016 Australian Carrera Cup Champion)
  • Mathieu Jaminet (2016 French Carrera Cup Champion)
  • Nick Tandy (2011 German Carrera Cup Champion)
  • Mike Rockenfeller (2004 German Carrera Cup Champion)
  • Patrick Pilet (2007 French Carrera Cup Champion)
  • Sebastien Priaulx (2021 Porsche Carrera Cup North America Champion)
  • Julien Andlauer (2017 French Carrera Cup Champion)
  • Klaus Bachler (ex-Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup racer)
  • Alec Udel (2016 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup guest driver)

Van Berlo participated at the annual Porsche Junior Shoot-out in Europe and was selected this year as a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver.

In his first full-time season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, van Berlo debuted at Daytona in January alongside Metni, Andlauer, and other Carrera Cup alumni – 2020 Carrera Cup France Champion Jaxson Evans.

Van Berlo emerged from the pits with 45 minutes to go last Sunday in second place and chased down race leader Andy Lally – shortly after, the Dutchman made a pass for the lead and never looked back.

“With one hour to go, everything settled, and I was like, ‘Oh, we’re in P2, and the car in front of us is on slightly older tires,’” van Berlo said.

“I thought we could actually go and win here. … I was just waiting and waiting and waiting while defending the car behind me. I had one opportunity and went for it.

“It has been a challenging start to the season, and I really would have been happy to come away with a podium this weekend. But we had our opportunity and made it happen. Alan did an amazing job all weekend, and I’m so thankful for all the guys at Kellymoss with Riley.”

Van Berlo, Metni, and the host of former Carrera Cup aces are set to share the race track together next month at Watkins Glen International Raceway. The upstate New York venue will host the next rounds of both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America.

KAY VAN BERLO’S WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA RECAP