Image: IMSA
Our neighbors to the north, the Canadian crew of Pfaff Motorsport, managed to put together a heck of a race to take home the GT Daytona victory this weekend at Laguna Seca. The win pushed plaid Porsche drivers Zacharie Robichon and Laurens Vanthoor into second in the GTD standings, just 27 points off the lead, with three rounds remaining in the season.
“The target was clear from Day 1 that we wanted to try to win the championship because we are a new team together,” said Vanthoor. “For me also, it was a bit of an adaptation coming from GTLM to GTD; it is a little bit different. I think that we are now in a good position but there are still three races to go and a lot that can happen. But for me, I always set myself personally a goal. And this year it’s really been to win the championship, so I hope we can fulfill that.”
Robichon took the start in the #9 Porsche 911 GT3 R, and managed to keep the car out of trouble for the first hour, and within touch of the leaders, which admittedly is what he was tasked with doing. Factory Porsche ace Vanthoor stepped aboard the car at the first hour and quickly moved his way up from third to second by passing the pole-sitting Porsche of Patrick Long. Vanthoor has plenty of experience at Laguna Seca, having won the race here in the now defunct factory-supported GTLM effort last season. As soon as the pit stop window opened for Vanthoor, the team pitted him for the final time with an hour to go, and a lightning-fast pit pushed him into the lead, which he held on to until the checkered flag fell.
The #9 car finished the race 5.512 seconds ahead of Bryan Sellers in the #1 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini, while Patrick Long and Trent Hindman paired for the third and final step of the podium in the #16 Porsche
“I think a huge shoutout has to go to the team,” Robichon said, “because in my first stint there were a couple issues that I immediately pointed out to them and they rectified it to give the absolute best possible car to Larry. I think we all saw what he did.”
Yes, we did all see what he did. And what he did was amazing.
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How I love that livery.