CORE Autosport dumps PC program adds GT Daytona

Core GT Daytona

CORE autosport will make the switch to the GT Daytona class next year with a Porsche 911 GT3 R, while parking its Prototype Challenge program.

The five-time PC class champions has withdrawn its Oreca FLM09 from the two remaining IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship rounds to focus on its 2017 preparations wth its GTD class Porsche, which will feature the driver pairing of Colin Braun and team owner/driver Jon Bennett.

"The move to GTD evolved pretty naturally," Bennett said. "We knew we wanted to compete at a pro-am level.

"The competition in GTD is incredible and we've had a relationship with Porsche for four years now, so the 911 GT3 R stood out as a smart choice.

"As a Porsche owner myself, I'm really excited about the opportunity to team up with Colin Braun and race one."

The Porsche GTD program comes in addition to the Rock Hill, S.C.-based squad's operation of the factory Porsche North America GT Le Mans class effort, which will continue next year.

It's understood the team had considered running the final two WeatherTech Championship races of the season in GTD but ultimately elected against it.

"At CORE, we place a high value on preparation, and I don't think we can go into 2017 as prepared as we need to be if we're distracted by the final two PC rounds," CORE autosport COO Morgan Brady said.

"The first IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona is only two months away and the 2017 season kicks off with a 24-hour race; we can't be tying up loose ends when the green flag drops."