WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 20, 2023) – After a heartbreaking early retirement just hours into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, drivers Ryan Hardwick, Jan Heylen, and Zacharie Robichon are stateside once again, ready to return to the Wright Motorsports and the No. 16 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R.
“Myself and Bob Viglione were on site to support the Le Mans trio as they raced in the 100th Anniversary of the race with a fellow Porsche team,” said Team Owner John Wright. “Ryan, Zach, and Jan had a great car and after winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona, they’ve proven they have what it takes to come out on top at demanding endurance racing events. We’re glad to have them back with us for the Six Hour, and we’ve got what it takes to get them back on the podium.”
Round Five of Eleven in the full-season 2023 IMSA WeatherTech championship, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen marks the beginning of the second half of the North American sports car racing season. The race is the third of four endurance races in the calendar, with a run time of six hours. The 1st Phorm Porsche is only running in the North American Endurance Cup and will close out their four-race championship in October at Petit Le Mans.
The Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen will feature 57 entries competing across five classes, each entry striving for victory within their own classes, as well as overall. The 1st Phorm Porsche is competing in the GTD class, which boasts the largest field, with 20 entries slated to compete.
The Six Hours of the Glen has a rich history that dates back to its inaugural race in 1968. Over the years, it has become one of the most highly anticipated endurance races on the North American motorsports calendar. The race itself lasts for six hours, demanding a combination of speed, strategy, and endurance from the teams and drivers. The track is known for its challenging 3.4-mile road course, with high-speed sections, sweeping turns, and elevation changes. Throughout the race, teams must manage tire wear, fuel consumption, driver changes, and pit stop strategies to optimize their performance and maintain a competitive edge. The Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen provides an exciting and unpredictable racing experience, with various twists and turns as teams navigate the challenges posed by traffic and changing weather conditions.
The race will begin on Sunday, June 25 at 10:40 AM ET, airing live on Peacock. IMSARadio.com will offer live and comprehensive coverage of all WeatherTech sessions. For schedule information, visit imsa.com.
DRIVER QUOTES
Ryan Hardwick
After many weeks racing in Europe, I’m looking forward to getting back in our Wright Motorsports GTD car and back to Watkins Glen! The Glen is my favorite race track in North America. I’ve always enjoyed racing there, and the 6 Hour is a marquee event. Our team will be pushing with everything we’ve got, and aiming for a podium result.
Jan Heylen
Luck hasn’t been on our side this year, but we are optimistic about this weekend! We had a good test here a few weeks ago, and we’re well prepared and ready for a good battle. Watkins Glen is always fun, but even more so in the new Porsche 911 GT3 R. The high downforce track suits us very well. I look forward to being back in the car with Ryan and Zach, and hopefully we get our first win of the season.
Zacharie Robichon
Watkins Glen is one of the most fun tracks for drivers. We had a good test in May and although we expect the weather to be very different, we learnt a lot about the 992 GT3R and we are hoping to be able to apply our learnings into what is sure to be a very exciting race,
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