The 2024 season of the IMSA-sanctioned Porsche Carrera Cup North America is set to kick off in mid-March at Sebring International Raceway. However, the recent success of the Porsche Motorsports Pyramid and its impact on launching motorsports careers was prominently showcased at Daytona International Speedway last month.
Seb Priaulx, the reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2021, secured the pole position for the Rolex 24 At Daytona GTD PRO race for AO Racing. He then went on to finish second in the No. 80 911 GT3 R alongside Laurin Heinrich (champion of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Germany) and Michael Christensen. It’s worth noting that the GTD polesitter, Parker Thompson, who set the fastest qualifying time for Vasser Sullivan and Lexus, also emerged from the Carrera Cup as the 2022 champion.
The achievements of the Porsche Motorsports Pyramid graduates were not limited to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Riley Dickinson, the most recent champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, teamed up with Michael McCarthy, the 2021 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama champion, and 16-year-old Brady Golan to claim victory in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS race. They piloted the No. 91 Kellymoss with Riley Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, representing the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America. It’s important to mention that Kellymoss with Riley also competes in the WeatherTech Championship GTD class and has been a strong supporter of the Pyramid.
Dickinson commented on the competitive nature of the IMPC race, highlighting the similarities he observed to his experiences in the Porsche one-make series. However, he acknowledged the differences in terms of the drivers and cars surrounding him. Adapting to the longer duration of the race was also a challenge for him. Despite the learning curve, Dickinson performed admirably and successfully completed the race.
The Porsche Motorsports Pyramid in North America encompasses various series, including the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama. This series features different categories, such as the Cayman GT4, 991-generation 911 GT3 Cup, and the latest 992 911 GT3 Cup cars. The Carrera Cup North America serves as the next step in the Pyramid, exclusively featuring the 992 GT3 Cup cars. Many drivers have utilized these series as a stepping stone not only to compete in IMSA events but also to pursue sports car championships worldwide.
Volker Holzmeyer, the President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, expressed his satisfaction with Porsche’s performance at Daytona. He highlighted the brand’s 19th overall victory in the Rolex 24 and the GTD PRO class pole position with the Porsche 911 GT3 R. However, he found the most gratifying aspect to be the triumph of three Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America drivers, Riley, Michael, and Brady, in the fiercely competitive GT4 field of the Michelin Pilot Challenge. Holzmeyer attributed their success to the training they received and the Motorsport Pyramid system they progressed through.
The Porsche Motorsport Pyramid’s achievements and impact are evident in the significant number of drivers who have spent considerable time in the system. Over 40 drivers, the majority of whom participated in the 24 Hours, are listed on the entry lists for these two events. This is a testament to the platform created by Porsche, starting from Porsche Club track days and progressing through the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, and eventually open competition with the SRO and IMSA.
The Porsche Carrera Cup North America will feature two races leading up to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. These races will take place on Thursday, March 14, in the afternoon and on Friday evening into dusk. The Porsche Sprint Challenge will also commence its season at Sebring, two weeks prior to the Twelve Hours weekend.
According to the Source racer.com