Porsche Penske Motorsport says it will protest the penalty that saw it stripped of victory at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
The #6 Porsche 963 entry of Mathieu Jaminet and Nick Tandy won the race after a battle with the #25 BMW of Connor De Phillipi and Nick Yellony, Jaminet making a bold pass with only five minutes remaining to take the chequered flag for the 963’s second win of the IMSA season.
The winning Porsche, however, was sent to the back of the field after it failed scrutineering after the race, allowing the #25 BMW BMW M Hybrid V8 to inherit the top step of the podium.
Porsche has protested the decision with IMSA officials.
A statement issued from Porsche Penske Motorsport read:
“Following post-race inspection at Watkins Glen International, IMSA has penalized the #6 entry in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen citing that the front skid wear of the #6 Porsche 963 was less than one millimetre outside the legal tolerance.
The rear skid wear was noted to be well within the legal tolerance. Porsche Penske Motorsport plans to collect all of the data and follow the protest procedures.”
The penalty, which sees the #6 Porsche classified in the final position of GTP competitors, is the first BMW prototype win in North America since Sebring in 1999.
“While we would have preferred to win on the track, this success is the result of long, hard work and the well-deserved reward for the fantastic performances of everyone involved in this programme,” said BMW M Motorsport head, Andreas Roos.
“I am particularly delighted that our pace was consistently strong throughout the weekend, and we set the top times. We have been improving from race to race, and we have earned our first victory in the GTP class. I am incredibly proud of our entire crew!”