Porsche Penske Motorsport claimed its first IMSA GTP victory with its 963 with Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet, after a scarcity of tempo in observe and qualifying led it to working the identical set of tires for the whole 100-minute, sprint-format race.
It meant the automotive’s obligatory pitstop was a lot sooner than its rivals, giving it observe place and avoiding the painfully gradual warm-up section required by taking new rubber.
With the race bookended by prolonged yellows, the 963 crew was in a position to defeat the opposition – however solely after Ricky Taylor had crashed the a lot sooner Wayne Taylor Racing Acura whereas making an attempt to go Jaminet for the win.
However the introduction of the mushy tire compound – together with an additional set now being obtainable over final yr – means warm-up will probably be a lot faster across the 1.968-mile non permanent circuit.
“I believe the mushy tire will imply we’ve got much more tire methods than we noticed final yr,” stated PPM’s Jonathan Diuguid. “Clearly we’re seeking to proceed the streak of race wins and podiums that we’ve had this season.
“The #7 automotive is main the championship and we’re main the producers’ factors as nicely.”
#7 Group Penske Porsche 963: Matt Campbell, Felipe Nasr
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
When requested by Motorsport.com if a no-tire name was out of the query, Diuguid refused to rule it out utterly: “I believe it’s much less doubtless; I’m not going to say it’s totally off the desk as a result of within the earlier two years Lengthy Seashore has been comparatively caution-free.
“Our technique final yr was born out of a efficiency deficit. However with it being a road course, having two extra GTP automobiles and extra GTD automobiles than we had final yr, so I believe the visitors goes to be way more of a priority.
“I believe something is on the desk, you’ll see folks doing no matter they’ll to get observe place on a good road circuit. I believe doing the race on one set of tires might be unlikely however I do suppose there will probably be extra methods in play.”
Diuguid additionally believes that the 963 has improved its dealing with on bumpy circuits, which can help its trigger at Lengthy Seashore and the downtown Detroit observe, which joins the schedule for the primary time this yr.
“We targeted so much on our bumpy-surface package deal,” he stated. “Each in European working and testing at Sebring. Hopefully we’ll deliver some enhancements to the place we’re nearer to the entrance and compete on the tempo.
“The place we need to be is having the ability to management the race, like we did in Daytona, and be preventing for the win, like we have been in Sebring.”
#6 Group Penske Motorsport Porsche 963: Nick Tandy, Mathieu Jaminet, Fred Makowiecki at Sebring
Photograph by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
Jaminet continues within the #6 automotive with Tandy as they give the impression of being to go back-to-back on the former United States Grand Prix West venue.
“It might be good to repeat with one other win,” stated Jaminet. “I’m unsure that many groups have back-to-back wins in Lengthy Seashore.
“It’s extra automobiles this yr, competitors is more durable, and we’ve got some unknown with the mushy tire, which we’ve solely actually run at Daytona within the night time in IMSA.
“So, it’s one thing actually new and a giant problem for positive.”