IMSA – Pilet and Werner offer the first success to the 911 Porsche 2017 RSR

Porsche will have waited until mid-season to celebrate its first success with the new 911 RSR with a mid-rear engine, launched at the start of the year both WEC whether IMSA. And it is on the other side of the Atlantic that the latest addition from Weissach wins her first victory with the duo Patrick Pilet – Dirk Werner, aligned with No. 911.

The official drivers of the German brand won the race at Lime Rock Park (Connecticut) ahead of their teammates Laurens Vanthoor and Gianmaria Bruni. However, it was the latter who dominated qualifying and the start of the round reserved for GTLM and GTD.

Author of a great start, Bruni quickly widened the gap on Dirk Werner. But an off-course passage, with grass obstructing the air intake of the No. 912, then a first stop longer than that of its rivals, caused the Italian-Belgian duo to lose command.

Patrick Pilet and Dirk Werner were not worried during the rest of the race, and won ahead of Vanthoor – Bruni for a one-two finish for the Porsche 911 RSRs. The podium is completed by the #6 BMW M24 GTLM of Edwards – Tomczyk, the latter resisting the assaults of the #7 Corvette C3.R of Garcia – Magnussen in the last laps. The first Ford GT, the No. 67 from Westbrook – Briscoe, finished 5th.

The only notable incident in the category occurred at the start of the race with contact between the No. 7 Corvette C4.R of Milner – Gavin and the No. 66 – Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT of Hand – Müller. The Corvette was forced to return to the garages to repair a suspension, with the Ford also having to return to the pits.

Porsche dominates in GTD

The triumph was total for Porsche this weekend in IMSA as the German brand won the GTD category thanks to the No. 911 3 GT73 R – Park Place Motorsports of Lindsey – Bergmeister. The No. 3 Lamborghini Huracan GT48 – Paul Miller Racing of Sellers – Snow and the No. 911 Porsche 3 GT28 R – Alegra Motorsports of Long – Morad completed the podium.

Race ranking

Find the report of the Lime Rock Park IMSA event, in issue 2124 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.