ELKHART LAKE, Wisc. — Hardpoint’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge lineup continues to grow, expanding to two cars and six drivers for next week’s four-hour race at Road America on August 4-6.
The No. 9 Valkyrie Intelligence/Phoenix Global Health Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport joins the team in a partnership with OGH Motorsports with drivers Sean Gibbons, Sam Owen and Derek DeBoer co-driving.
Additionally, John Capestro-Dubets will climb aboard the No. 22 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport with co-drivers Nick Galante and Sean McAlister for the race.
Gibbons and Owen will make their IMSA debuts after success in GT Americas driving a GT4 Porsche Cayman, joined by long-time successful racer DeBoer.
The No. 9 car will be entered into the Bronze Cup of the Michelin Pilot Challenge GS class.
Gibbons is the 2020 GT4 AM Champion in SRO GT4 America and a multi-time race winner. Along with Gibbons, Owen is a co-founder of OGH Motorsport and began his career racing in Porsche Club of America — a trait he shares with Hardpoint owner Rob Ferriol.
DeBoer is a racing veteran with experience in the former ST class and who holds a top-10 finish in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“Sam and I are so excited to enter our first IMSA GS race and to have Derek DeBoer join us makes it even better,” Gibbons said. “Our goal is to put the No. 9 OGH Motorsports/Hardpoint Porsche Cayman on the Bronze Cup Podium. Rob, Sam and I approach motorsports the same way and saw this as an opportunity to work together for the first time while achieving one of our goals.
“We are so thankful for the support Valkyrie Intelligence, Phoenix Global Health, Trattore Farms, BRM Watches and Fastlife TV, along with our families that make this possible.”
Hardpoint’s season-long entry, the No. 22 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Porsche Cayman, will be joined by Capestro-Dubets as a third driver at Road America. He comes to the program with experience in the GT4 Cayman, including a pole position at Lime Rock Park three weeks ago in a similar car.
“I’m really looking forward to joining Sean and Nick under the Hardpoint tent at Road America,” Capestro-Dubets said. “I’ve heard amazing things about this outfit and I’m honored to be the third driver in this lineup. The goal for me is to be a team player and help with not only pace but a fresh perspective.
“As a group, I’m confident we can make great progress through the weekend, and like any race, with a little luck, we’re looking to be out front. Thank you to Nick and Hardpoint for bringing me into this picture and all of my partners that have helped me along the way.”
Both teams will work side-by-side at Road America under the Hardpoint tent.
“We’re really excited to welcome Sean, Sam and Derek to the team with the No. 9 car and look forward to the fresh perspective and talent JCD brings to the 22 lineup,” Ferriol said. “It’s been a busy summer for Hardpoint and both of our Pilot Challenge cars are in position to make some noise at Road America.
“We’ve had some bad luck on track recently, but we know the ingredients are there, so we’re loaded up and ready to change our momentum in a big way.”
Both the No. 22 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Porsche Cayman and the No. 9 Valkyrie Intelligence/Phoenix Global Health Porsche will be in action at Road America.
Keyword: Hardpoint Adds Second Porsche to IMSA Pilot Challenge