Porsche targets sprint win at Long Beach with 963 prototypes

After triumphs in Daytona and Sebring, Porsche heads to Long Beach aiming for another 963 win in the IMSA sprint. Discover race insights and lineup.

After dominant wins at the endurance classics in Daytona and Sebring, Porsche Penske Motorsport is shifting into sprint mode. The third round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship heads to the streets of Long Beach — a circuit etched in Porsche history as the site of the 963’s maiden victory back in 2023.

This California street race offers a stark contrast to the season’s earlier events: just 100 minutes of intense racing on a tight, unforgiving track where overtaking is scarce. Qualifying position is crucial, and pit strategy can define the outcome. Porsche knows this terrain well — in 2023, a bold decision to skip a tire change during the sole pit stop secured a thrilling victory.

In the top-tier GTP class, three Porsche 963s will compete: two fielded by the Porsche Penske Motorsport factory squad and one by customer team JDC-Miller MotorSports. The No. 7 car, driven by Felipe Nasr and Nick Tandy, arrives in peak form after back-to-back wins in Florida. Their sister car, No. 6, piloted by Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell, carries the legacy of Porsche’s first win in Long Beach — a powerful motivator this weekend.

In the GTD category, Wright Motorsports enters with Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer, who consider Long Beach their home race. Making a guest appearance is AO Racing with their dinosaur-liveried “Rexy” Porsche 911 GT3 R, shared by Laurens Vanthoor and Jonny Edgar.

This year’s event marks the 50th anniversary of the Long Beach street circuit — a tight, 3.167-kilometer track reminiscent of Monaco. The race presents a rare chance to witness how top teams adapt their cars and tactics for a sprint format where every second counts.

“We’re switching from endurance to sprint mode, but the goal remains the same — to win,” stated Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. With recent experience and past success at Long Beach, the team is poised to push for another victory and extend their lead in the championship.

Source: porsche.com