Mario Farnbacher (Germany), Alex Riberas (Spain) and Ian James (Phoenix, Az.) are ready for six hours of racing at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen to run this weekend, July 1-3.
The Heart of Racing Porsche trio are primed to have another strong endurance run. Farnbacher, Riberas and James have won Sebring together and are ready to add another top finish to their endurance record. The team is currently tied for the GTD lead in the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship points with 21. The IMSA WeatherTech Championship teams will be the first to experience the newly repaved 3.4-mile, 11-turn surface of Watkins Glen International Raceway.
“The times will obviously be faster, but the interesting thing will be how the track reacts to temperature and getting rubbered in over the weekend,” James said. “The Glen was always a physically demanding track that will increase for sure. The GTD field is so close you need a mistake free run with a car that is on the pace to get a result. Hopefully the recent BOP (Balance of Performance) changes will allow us to run at the front. I always liked the challenge of the Boot, especially the downhill laces section, it is really challenging to get right.”
Riberas will be learning another circuit this weekend.
“I will approach The Glen the same way I prepared for Laguna Seca and Detroit,” Riberas said. “I get great tips from Mario and Ian as well as study the team’s data. This is something that helps me a lot and so far it has worked pretty good. Although this year we have a new tarmac, therefore the track will probably be a bit different than last year. On video it looks like a great challenge for both drivers and race cars. Many elevation changes, quick corners and passing opportunities. The race should be exciting this weekend!”
Farnbacher will be looking for a mistake free run.
“There will for sure be a lot of grip and the overall speed should be higher,” Farnbacher said. “Combine the two and that makes it a lot of fun for the drivers! To get a good result we will have to run mistake free and also drive consistent lap times. The team will have to have good strategy and have good pit stops. I am looking forward to running the track with the new surface.”
“The Heart of Racing comes in The Glen tied for the Tequila Patron lead,” Alex Job, team owner, said. “I hope we can leave in a commanding lead with a goal of winning it at Petit Le Mans as well as the championship. Mario, Alex and Ian are ready to get back driving after the Le Mans break and see what the No. 23 Porsche can do around the newly paved Watkins Glen circuit.”
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 starting at 10 a.m. ET and going to 4:30 p.m. Qualifying can be viewed on IMSA.tv.