The third race of the American sports car championship brought home a historical win for Mario Farnbacher. He and his teammate Alex Riberas celebrated a brilliant start-finish-victory in Laguna Seca, California. The triumph was also the first race victory for the newly developed Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“I am so incredibly happy, many thanks to the whole crew”, said a visibly pleased Mario Farnbacher after the two-hour race. The Franconian’s flawless performance capped a perfect weekend. Fastest time in all three free training sessions, a qualifying pole position and last but not least, an unchallenged race victory – it just couldn’t have been better.
Mario Farnbacher and his team from Alex Job Racing laid the foundations for the first win of the season at an early stage. “We began during training, increased our performance and focus on the race, continued during qualifying and secured a first on the grid. So half of the job was already done”, recalled the 23-year-old.
Right from the start, Alex Riberas turned the pole position into the lead and left the field behind him. After half-time, Farnbacher continued to maintain running at the front, but couldn’t afford to lose sight of his pursuers. “I knew the Ferrari behind us would remain a hot contender for the whole of the race”, he explained. “That was why I went easy on the tires during my stint, so as not to lose time towards the end. That paid off and I was able to take the victory home.”
Six months after the Porsche 911 GT3 R’s first racing performance, Mario Farnbacher and Alex Riberas secured the car’s first victory. “What a great honour for us and a triumph nobody can ever take away. We are so thrilled to have written a small bit of Porsche history”, said a very proud Farnbacher.
Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser (Head of Porsche Motorsport), one of the congratulators, was also very pleased: “The first victory for the new 911 GT3 R here in the IMSA SportsCar Championship was achieved thanks to the sensational performance of the drivers in an extremely close race”, said Walliser. “Our congratulations go to the successful Team Seattle/Alex Job Racing crew and to both drivers”.
The next round of the American sports car championship is scheduled for 3rd – 4th June in Detroit. With a second place in 2014 and a victory in the previous season, Farnbacher is one of the most successful pilots on the Street Circuit in the metropolis.
