Three German producers have lauded IMSA GTD groups and drivers in latest days.
On the prime of the checklist is Russell Ward and Winward Racing. Claiming the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD driver and workforce titles in each the general standings and within the Michelin Endurance Cup within the No. 57 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (pictured), 2024 was an excellent season for Ward, full-season co-driver Philip Ellis and endurance addition Indy Dontje. The workforce received three endurance races — the Rolex 24 At Daytona (with Daniel Morad), the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen — and added a dash victory as effectively on its approach to the championships.
In consequence, Ward was honored final weekend by his Mercedes-AMG — which additionally took the producers’ titles in GTD — being named the General Professional Driver and Professional Driver GT3 awards winner on the Mercedes-AMG Buyer Racing Championship ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany. Ward topped Mercedes-AMG buyer drivers from all over the world to earn the honors. Drivers earn factors competing of their respective races, primarily based on the ending place in every race in addition to the sort and distance of the race.
After clinching the titles at Motul Petit Le Mans, Ward cited the arduous work of the Winward crew, in addition to praised the Mercedes AMG GT3 platform, which he stated has a large setup window and is straightforward on the tires.
For the second yr in a row, Turner Motorsport secured the BMW M Sports activities Trophy for groups. Within the No.. 96 BMW M4 GT3, Turner’s Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher completed second behind Ward and Ellis within the GTD driver standings, and Will Turner’s workforce accomplished its 557th race with BMW in Could. However the award, given on the BMW M Night time of Trophies two weeks in the past, encompasses the workforce’s leads to each championship, together with IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Problem and VP Racing SportsCar Problem, in addition to Fanatec GT World Problem America. Turner bested European groups FK Efficiency Motorsport and Schubert Motorsport to assert the award.
At Porsche’s Night time of Champions in Atlanta on Dec. 7, Wright Motorsports GTD drivers Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer claimed third within the coveted Porsche Cup. Along with an excellent rookie season in IMSA competitors, together with victory within the Battle on the Bricks with Jan Heylen, the pair received the Fanatec GT World Problem America Professional championship.
All three groups will probably be on the grid for the Rolex 24 At Daytona subsequent month because the 2025 season begins.
