Pfaff Motorsports leaves VIR in points tie with Corvette
August 5, 2024
Alton, VA – Vaulting up the standings has been the key focus for Pfaff Motorsports in the latter half of this IMSA Weathertech season, and following a tight race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) this weekend, the team succeeded in doing just that.
As the sole GT-only round of the 2024 season, Pfaff was able to focus all its efforts on maximizing the driveway.com McLaren 720S GT3 EVO against its direct competitors, and in preparation of the final legs of the season as the GTD PRO championship hunt tightens up.
Known for its long and winding straights, VIR presented Pfaff with a set of challenges that have not favoured the McLaren as of late, requiring the team to be at the top of its game.
From the outset of FP1, the team hunted for pace, essentially getting swarmed by the competition on the long, 5.262-km (3.27 mi) circuit. Finishing both practice sessions at the bottom of the charts, the drivers, engineers and mechanics all agreed to make a drastic change ahead of qualifying in an attempt to right the ship.
The team chose to install a new differential in the one-and-a-half hours between final practice and qualifying – and saw immediate results.
Qualifying seventh in class, drivers Oliver Jarvis (UK) and Marvin Kirchhöfer (GER) noted marked improvements in the driving characteristics of the 720S GT3 EVO, which would serve them well going into Sunday’s two-hour 40-minute sprint.
Teamwork was the theme of the weekend, and while Jarvis didn’t make his usual vault up the standings in the early part of the race, a strategy call by the team for a slightly earlier pit stop and driver change saw Kirchhöfer move up to fifth place on lap 32 of 86.
The team was able to maintain pace through the remainder of the race, holding off charges from both Lexus and the championship-leading Porsche. More importantly, the team’s P5 finish sees Pfaff Motorsports move into a points tie with the sixth-place factory Corvette in the GTD PRO standings.
It was a testament to the two-time IMSA GT championship-winning team’s perseverance and teamwork to gain maximum points in a weekend that began at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Marvin Kirchhöfer (driver): “Today was a good step forward. The 720 felt great, the team made some nice progress on the setup, so a big thanks to everyone for tackling the issues and giving us a car to compete with today. We’re finding our way on the setup and improving on the pace – it feels like there’s still time to find but it seems like it could be BoP (Balance of Performance) related, because in the corners we have a good handling car, but on the straights we’re getting eaten by our competitors, lacking in acceleration. Top speed isn’t too bad but getting there is the area we struggle with most. P5 is a solid result – obviously not what we’d like – we’re fighting for those podiums and wins, but our progress is promising and we’re getting there step-by-step. So, in all, a positive day and we’ll carry that forward to the six-hours at Indy.”
Oliver Jarvis (driver): “Obviously P5 isn’t what we’d hoped for, but with the pace we had over the course of the weekend, it was a good result. The team did a great job making progress throughout the weekend. At the moment we’re missing a bit of pace on the straights, which makes it difficult to fight against our competitors, but we’re going to keep working, keep pushing hard and focus on Indianapolis.”
The team returns to its headquarters to focus squarely on the fourth and penultimate endurance round of the season: the six-hour Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Taking place from September 20 to 22, it marks a major opportunity for the team to charge up the standings with just two rounds to go.
For event information stay tuned to Pfaff Motorsports web and social media pages, and IMSA.com.
For further news, announcements and behind-the-scenes content regarding Pfaff Motorsports and the 2024 IMSA Weathertech season, follow @PfaffMotorsports on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and @PfaffMotorsport on X (twitter).
About Pfaff Motorsports
Pfaff Motorsports has established itself as one of the most successful sportscar racing programs in North America over the past decade. A professional team in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), it has established long-term partnerships with premium brands such as Lithia & Driveway, Motul, and the Automotive Owned Brands of Canadian Tire Corporation, and is one of the top-performing teams in the sport.
Pfaff Motorsports’ competition résumé includes historic victories and championships across multiple series. Since joining the top-tier IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2019, the team has won the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona and twice at the 12 Hours of Sebring, in addition to being crowned the 2022 WeatherTech Championship GTD Pro class and 2021 GTD class champions. It has also won the 2018 GT World Challenge America championship and is a three-time Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada champion. For more information, please visit www.pfaffmotorsports.com.
Contact: Jordan Lenssen // info@pfaffmotorsports.com