BOSTON (January 14, 2018) – Following a successful test at the season-opening Roar Before the 24, Black Swan Racing is pleased to reveal their commitment to a full effort in the 2019 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, as well as the upcoming Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC). Running nine races across five countries for a grand total of 115 hours of endurance racing, the team’s pair of Porsche 911 GT3 R’s will be put to the test for what is shaping to be a busy year.
 
“I couldn’t be more excited to embark on our 2019 adventure,” stated Black Swan Racing team owner and co-driver Tim Pappas. “We’re taking on the two premier endurance categories for GT3 racing, and feel as prepared as we can. The all-new Porsche 911 GT3 R has proven incredible in testing so far, and when combined with their heritage in endurance racing we’re set for a strong season. In IMSA, having Dirk Werner and Marco Seefried as teammates for the year, not to mention Matteo Cairoli for the Rolex 24, is a fantastic opportunity. In the IGTC, the band is “back together again” with Jeroen, and the combination of Dirk and Marc Lieb throughout the year creates a dream scenario. Having someone with the experience of Owen Hayes in the fold only adds to our potential. Additionally, we’ll be running the Champion Porsche badge throughout our IMSA campaign, which is of course an honor we hope to meet by continued results.”

In just two 12 days’ time, Black Swan Racing’s IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup will kick off with their return to the prized Rolex 24 at Daytona. Returning as a team entry for the first time since narrowly missing victory in 2016, the series’ flagship race will see the return of the No. 540 with Pappas being joined by full endurance-season teammates Dirk Werner and Marco Seefried, and for Daytona-only Matteo Cairolli. Werner joins as a seasoned veteran of the series, having competed at a factory level in IMSA and the former GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series for many years, including taking the 2007 and 2009 GT titles. Marco Seefried will make his Black Swan debut as an endurance specialist, having previously won the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2016, as well as 12 Hours of Sebring in 2014. Matteo Cairolli will make his Daytona debut this year, having been part of the Porsche factory program since entering as a junior in 2016. Cairolli has two class wins in the World Endurance Championship, as well as a title in the Italian Carrera Cup championship.
 
Following Daytona, the team will compete for the full IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup title, competing at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, Six Hours of the Glen, and concluding with Petit Le Mans, with Werner, Seefried, and Pappas taking the reigns. Throughout the team’s IMSA campaign they will carry the logo of famed motorsport icon Champion Porsche, a company with rich heritage in international sportscar racing, which will be especially poignant as the group honors the memory of owner Dave Maraj.

Following the Rolex 24, team attention will turn to their second championship, the Intercontinental GT Challenge. A GT3-based series that will see five endurance races in five separate continents, Black Swan will begin their campaign from January 31 through February 1 at the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, where drivers Tim Pappas, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Marc Lieb will look to defend their 2018 class title. Following Bathurst, the IGTC will then travel to the 8 Hours of California in Monterey, the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium, the Suzuka 10 Hours in Japan, and the Kyalami 9 Hour in South Africa. Long-time teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen will join Pappas for the entirety of the calendar, while Porsche veteran Marc Lieb will take part in Australia and Belgium, meanwhile Dirk Werner will be on board for California, Japan, and South Africa.
 
While much of the same championship-winning crew will see after the team’s pair of Porsches, Black Swan has also bolstered their program with the addition of Owen Hayes to help oversee the team. Hayes, a long-time member of the Porsche family, has served roles that include serving as an engineer for Porsche’s LMP1 and LMP2 projects, Porsche’s GT3 R hybrid project, and beyond.
 
Black Swan Racing’s current schedule is as follows:
 
January 24-27, 24 Hours of Daytona (IMSA)
February 1-3, 12 Hours of Bathurst (IGTC)
March 13-26, 12 Hours of Sebring (IMSA)
March 28-30, California 8 Hours (IGTC)
June 28-30, Six Hours of the Glen (IMSA)
July 25-28, 24 Hours of Spa (IGTC)
August 23-25, Suzuka 10 Hours (IGTC)
October 10-12, Petit Le Mans (IMSA)
November 21-23, Kyalami 9 Hour (IGTC)
 
Additional updates will follow as the races draw closer.