GTP Championship Showdown: Porsche’s Kuratle Emphasizes Racing Spirit Amid Title Battle
Elkhart Lake, WI – With the GTP Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships within reach, Porsche LMDh Factory Director Urs Kuratle affirmed that team orders will not dictate the outcome between its two entries in the upcoming Petit Le Mans. The leading #6 and #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963s are set for a fierce contest, with teammates Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet holding a 12-point advantage over Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy.
“We all love racing. It should be close for the fans and for the sport,” Kuratle stated, addressing expectations for the season finale. He indicated confidence in the professionalism of his drivers to maintain competitive integrity, saying, “As long as a Porsche wins, we are happy.”
Currently, Porsche leads the Manufacturer standings, with Acura trailing by 90 points, aiming for the GTP Manufacturers’ title. Kuratle asserted, “If it comes down to the last lap in Road Atlanta, as long as there’s no contact, we don’t have a problem with it.”
Aston Martin Valkyrie Sees Progress
In practice sessions leading into the race, the Aston Martin THOR Team’s Valkyrie AMR-LMH marked a notable performance, finishing second in Practice #1. Co-driver Ross Gunn expressed optimism about their trajectory, noting the car’s suitability to various tracks and the team’s improving synergy. “There’s great team harmony, and we are definitely improving race by race,” he remarked.
Taylor Family Fundraises at Celebrity Bartender Challenge
The Taylor family trio—Wayne, Ricky, and Jordan—won the Celebrity Bartender Challenge, raising $5,963 of the evening’s total $14,041 for IMSA’s charitable initiatives. The event supported the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, showcasing the community spirit of the IMSA family.
MMR Mustang Dominates Michelin Pilot Challenge Qualifying
The #13 Ford Mustang GT4 from McCumbee McAleer Racing secured its third consecutive pole in the Michelin Pilot Challenge, as Nate Cicero clocked a time of 2:14.441. Following closely were the #39 CarBahn BMW and the championship-leading #28 RS1 Porsche. In TCR, Louis-Philippe Montour claimed pole position for the #93 MMG Honda Civic FL5 TCR with a time of 2:16.207.
Qualifying results indicate a competitive slate of races ahead, with all events streaming live on the official IMSA YouTube channel. Detailed practice and qualifying results are available at results.imsa.com.
