The 2022 IMSA grid continues to take shape with new announcements of racing efforts coming left, right, and center. Following the recent information that Pfaff Motorsports would enter a 911 GT3 R in the new-for-2022 GTD Pro category, the WeatherTech floormat empire announced that it would be joining them, with a twist. The 2021 GTLM class effort which won the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans is back in the pro category with a new 911 GT3 R entered with Proton Competition.
The trick is, however, that the crew is also hedging its bets by entering a second car in the class. The other car isn’t another 911 GT3 R, however. Instead the team is going with a Mercedes-AMG GT3. It’s an interesting proposal as Proton has far more experience with Porsche products than Mercedes, but it could be a way for Proton to expand its horizons and learn something about the competition. Who knows?
Piloting the No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Porsche 911 GT3R will be heir to the WeatherTech throne Cooper MacNeil, who will be joined by Julien Andlauer, Matteo Cairoli, and Alessio Picariello. Andlauer and MacNeil will pair for the full season, while Cairoli and Picariello will only be in place for the endurance rounds.
“The Rolex 24 is the equivalent of our Super Bowl,” MacNeil said. “Winning this race has been one of my racing goals since I started. I’ve won Sebring twice, Petit Le Mans three times, been on the podium at Le Mans twice, been a multiple series champion, and now need to win the Rolex 24. I’ve finished second at the Rolex 24 but they don’t give a watch out for second place. With two cars from different brands I think we have good shot at being on the top step of the podium come Sunday afternoon on the 30th. I am looking forward to the challenge of driving both cars and considering our driver line-up I like our chances.