by Robert Watt

At Laguna Seca

Story and photos by Robert Watt

If you are a fellow Porsche and racing enthusiast, following Porsche Motorsports Racing is an exciting pastime. Porsche has been racing since the 1950s and it is probably safe to say they are the car manufacturer with more podium wins than any other brand.

One major racing series in which Porsche participates is organized by the International Motor Sport Association (IMSA). From April 29 through May 1, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca hosted the fourth of twelve exciting racing weekends on the 2022 IMSA schedule.

The IMSA WeatherTech Championship Race featured four classes of cars: Daytona Prototype International (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro), and GT Daytona (GTD). What makes IMSA racing unique is not only the variety of cars running in an event, but that all the classes run at the same time. The easiest way to identify the various classes is by the color-coded car numbers, side mirrors, and rear wing end-plates. In addition to the color-coding, each car has an LED display indicating the real-time track position within their class and with the latest data transmitted directly from timing and scoring.

Also happening over that same weekend was a season-opening doubleheader: the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and the Michelin Pilot Challenge featuring Grand Sport (GS) and Touring Cars (TCR).

For Porsche enthusiasts, the highlight of the weekend had to be the Porsche Carrera Cup North America with thirty-two cars competing in the field. Two, forty-minute timed races were held: one on Saturday afternoon and one on Sunday morning. All cars are identical: same make, model, and generation, with no technical advantage. Driver skill and team strategy are the determining factors. Parker Thompson dominated the weekend winning both races in the Number 9 Porsche GT3 Cup car.

Throughout the weekend, before, during, and after the races, a stroll through the paddock is where more action could be observed. From car tuning, preparation, and setup, to simulator training and tech inspections, to podium celebrations, and so much more, there is always something for everyone to see.

To follow along with all the action visit IMSA.com and check out the schedule or latest race results!

Robert Watt has been a member of PCA since 2009. He drives a 2008 Cayman in Speed Yellow.

Opposite: The Porsche Carrera Cup North America field headed into Turn 2. Upper left: Parker Thompson leading the Carrera Cup race. Center left: The podium, with Carrera Cup winners. Upper right: GS and TCR classes dropping into the Corkscrew in the Michelin Pilot Sport Challenge. Lower left: The winning Pfaff Motorsports GT3 Cup Car.

On May 15, Robert Watt and your editor, along with a number of other SBR members, attended Cars & Coffee at the Finish Line Auto Club in Westlake Village. A handful of the editor's photos are on this page. Robert contributed those on the following page. More may be seen on the club's Flickr site (www.flickr.com/photos/pcasbr)