Joest eyes IMSA for 2018

Ralf Juttner

Former Audi LMP1 factory team Joest Racing is targeting a move to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2018, with the German squad exploring options in running a DPi or other manufacturer-affiliated programs.

Joest Racing Managing Director Ralf Juttner, who was on-site at last weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona, revealed ambitions of returning to the U.S. racing scene, after previously campaigning Audi's works prototype effort in the American Le Mans Series.

"We've raced here for many years. I really enjoyed it," Juttner told Sportscar365. "Some things have not changed here, which is good. It's an option for sure. But we would have to put the right package together.

"We would love to have something with a manufacturer; we've done that for 20 years. We don't want to step back."

Juttner said he's keeping the majority of his staff employed this year, despite a program for this year, in any series, looking unlikely.

While prospects of a LMP1 Privateer effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship have not materialized, Juttner admitted they're open to running a manufacturer-backed GT program, in addition to its prospects in DPi.

Multiple new factory programs are understood to be in the pipeline, including Honda's likely move to DPi, and potential GTLM efforts for Lexus and Lamborghini.

"We'll have a look," Juttner said. "There are some options coming up. There are more manufacturers over here than in the WEC at the moment. For sure, it looks interesting." Sportscar365