WeatherTech Racing will run two cars for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Twelve Hours of Sebring to run March 16-19.
WeatherTech Racing is doubling down to defend their 2021 Sebring win. Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill), Maro Engel (Germany), and Jules Gounon (France) will run the team’s No. 97 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Mercedes-Benz of Billings, Montana support. In addition, MacNeil, Julien Andlauer (France), and Alessio Picariello (Belgium) will drive the season-long No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R at Sebring as well.
With two Sebring 12 hour wins on his resume MacNeil and WeatherTech Racing are looking to get a third. MacNeil was a part of the winning WeatherTech Racing Porsche 911 RSR GTLM team that won a thrilling race in the closing hour of the 2021 event. With the new GTD Pro category attracting strong entries for this year’s once-around-the-clock race the team has a tall order to repeat as winners.
“We are coming into the event as the defending race winners from last year.” MacNeil said. “We had a solid run going in the No. 97 Mercedes at the Rolex 24 until we had the hose issue just after taking the overall lead in the GTD Pro Class. Sebring will have a few less cars, but the competition level will be just as high.
“Sebring is probably the track I have the most laps at besides Road America. It has a lot of history and to win there twice is huge. With Maro and Jules we have a great chance at getting a third win.”
Engel has raced at Sebring in the past, but without much luck. He hopes he has a better outcome in three weeks.
“I think it’s awesome that WeatherTech Racing and Cooper are having another go in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Sebring,” Engel said. “We had a very strong showing in Daytona, leading the race and then our unfortunate mechanical problem. Hopefully we can have another good go at Sebring and chase that victory.
“Sebring is an amazing track. I think it’s one of the best events on the calendar for sure. Having the WEC there makes it a special weekend. From a driver’s point of view, it’s one of the most amazing tracks to drive. It’s an old school circuit with a lot of flow. I’ve been there three times so far, but it hasn’t been kind. Hopefully the fourth time will be lucky for me. We have a good team with strong drivers, so maybe we can get that win.”
WeatherTech Racing Sebring driver lineup:
No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R will be Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill), Julien Andlauer (France), and Alessio Picariello (Belgium).
No. 97 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill), Maro Engel (Germany), and Jules Gounon (France).
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will head to central Florida next for the Twelve Hours of Sebring, to run March 16-19.
Source. Kyle Chura
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