Gains Bob Stallings Racing will switch from McLaren to Porsche for the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge season, racing a 911 GT3 R driven by team stalwart Jon Fogarty.
“We are happy to have the opportunity to advance our racing program with Porsche for the 2017 PWC season,” said Bob Stallings. “I have known the leadership of Porsche Motorsport for several years, having competed against them in the Rolex Series and more recently at PWC. We have had many discussions over the years about joining forces on the race track, but never could find the right opportunity to complete a relationship.
“Porsche has been a leader in motorsports for many years throughout the world racing scene. I have held them in high regard and always thought we might decide to race together eventually, and the opportunity to get it done now was very compelling.”
This year the Porsche 911 GT3 R scored five victories en route to second place in the PWC GT Championship in 2016 at the hands of factory driver Patrick Long, beaten only by McLaren GT factory driver Alvaro Parente in K-PAX’s #6 650S GT3.
The 2017 season will mark Fogarty’s ninth with the Gainsco team. 2016 was Fogarty’s first full season of PWC racing, scoring three top-five finishes. Prior to joining Bob Stallings and his GAINSCO team full-time in 2006, Fogarty drove a Porsche 911 for the Flying Lizards.
“It’s wonderful to be back with Porsche, where I began my Sports Car career in 2004.” He recalls his first time behind the wheel of a closed cockpit race car, where he competed at Sebring in a Porsche 911 with Flying Lizard Motorsports. “I was immediately impressed with Porsche’s GT racer and went on to compete and finish on the podium several times the following 2005/6 seasons.
“I am very happy to be back with such a strong organization and look forward to contributing to both GAINSCO and Porsche’s success in the 911 GT3 R.
Led by veteran team manager Terry Wilbert, the GAINSCO team will take residence at the new Porsche Motorsport North America headquarters in Carson, California through the month of December. The team will spend the time learning and preparing their new equipment, while team engineer John Ward familiarizes himself with the new Red Dragon’s aerodynamic and chassis capabilities.
The team will complete a “shakedown” with its new car with Jon Fogarty at Buttonwillow Raceway north of Los Angeles just before Christmas, before completing a rigorous test program ahead of the Pirelli World Challenge season opener, at St. Petersburg next March.
