GT: Factory Porsches To Leave IMSA Series After 2020.

Porsche Motorsport has announced that it will cease factory involvement in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the end of the 2020 season.

The Stuttgart marque is responding to the financial pressures facing all luxury car manufacturers following the coronavirus outbreak that has brought much of the global sporting calendar to a halt.

Fritz Enzinger, Vice President Porsche Motorsport, emphasised that the decision had been difficult but necessary in the current climate.

“The decision to halt our factory involvement in the IMSA series was not an easy one for us,” said Enzinger. “With a view to the current corporate situation in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, it is only logical for Porsche Motorsport to make a contribution to coping with the economic fallout. We’ve openly discussed our exit with all involved.

“At this point we’d like to convey our sincere thanks to Jim France and the colleagues at IMSA for their understanding. Porsche belongs in endurance racing. We will work hard to ensure that this is only a temporary Auf Wierdersehen.”

“For us sportspeople, such endings are always painful,” said Pascal Zurlinden, Director Factory Motorsport. “For our operational team Core Autosport and everyone involved, I’m very sorry that we were unable to make this decision with more lead time. At the same time, I’d like to thank everyone affected by this for their professional handling of this situation.”

Porsche Motorsport have made it clear that it will complete the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, the next round of which is scheduled to be the WeatherTech 240 at Daytona International Speedway on July 4.