This weekend’s Pirelli World Challenge round at Road America will see the return of reigning Overall and GT Sprint champions, Wright Motorsports. This time, the Ohio-based group will be fielding a single GTA-class Porsche 911 GT3 R entry for team regular and rising star, Anthony Imperato (Brooklyn, NY).
Though new to Pirelli World Challenge, Imperato will be entering the double-header event surrounded by all things familiar. The New York-native, who is in the midst of his third IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge season with the John Wright-led team, possesses a wealth of experience driving Porsches in sprint competition. The 4-mile, 14-turn road course also remains a special one for Imperato as the last time he competed there, he earned his career first podium in a Wright Motorsports prepared Porsche.
“The entire team at Wright Motorsports is really looking forward to bringing Anthony into this environment with the Porsche 911 GT3 R,” said Wright Motorsports Principal, John Wright. “He’s put a lot of work into driving his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car and we’re confident that he’ll be ready to take this step. Road America is a track that he knows very well and we’re hoping for a good performance this week.”
With a new car, new competition, and the added twist of GT4 cars to share a track with, every session will be imperative for New Yorker to get into the rhythm and the team to dial in on the setup of the car. After driving the No. 91 Porsche in a recent test, Imperato is confident that the transition will be seamless.
“The Porsche 911 GT3 R is a blast to drive and much different than the 911 GT3 Cup car”, Imperato continued. “The additional aero, ABS, and traction control make it a little easier to hop in and feel comfortable. The Cup car definitely does what it is intended to do and teaches you a lot about driving. I actually think it might be a little challenging to get back in the Cup car next week after getting used to the driver aids in the GT3 car.”
“All I know is racing in one-make spec series’, so it will be interesting to see the strengths and weaknesses of other manufacturers. I feel confident that we can have some good results and I can’t wait to get started!”
This time last year, Wright Motorsports celebrated a GT class victory and second place with Patrick Long. They hope to keep the ream of Road America triumph alive as Anthony Imperato hits the stage June 22-24.
