GAINSCO/Stallings switches from McLaren to Porsche for 2017

The team suffered a difficult 2016 season, with a best result of third at Circuit of The Americas in March, and a final finish of 12^th in the GT points table.

However team owner Bob Stallings, whose team twice captured the Grand Am Rolex Series sportscar title, described the opportunity of racing with Porsche Motorsport North America as “very compelling”.

The team will immediately start to relocate from Dallas, Texas, to operate out of Porsche Motorsport NA’s new base in Carson, Calif. through the month of December and will complete a shakedown test at Buttonwillow Raceway just before Christmas.

Said Stallings: “I have known the leadership of Porsche Motorsport for several years, having competed against them in the Rolex Series and more recently the PWC. We have had many discussions over the years about joining forces on the racetrack, but never could find the right opportunity to complete a relationship. 

“Porsche has been a leader in Motorsports for many years throughout the world racing scene. I have held them in high regard and always thought we might decide to race together eventually, and the opportunity to get it done now was very compelling.”

The Porsche 911 GT3 R scored five victories en route to second place in the PWC GT Championship in 2016, with Patrick Long competing for the now temporarily sidelined EFFORT Racing before switching to Wright Motorsports.

“Customer racing is the foundation of Porsche Motorsport,” said Jens Walther, president and CEO of Porsche Motorsport NA. “We are always delighted when an organization as successful as GAINSCO chooses to race with us, and we welcome Bob Stallings and the entire team to the Porsche family.”

Fogarty, for whom 2017 will mark the ninth season competing for GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, has raced 911s before, driving for Flying Lizard Motorsport in 2006.

He declared: “It’s wonderful to be back with Porsche, where I began my sportscar career in 2004. Porsche and sportscar racing are nearly one and the same, and Porsche’s global support behind the 911 is a great contributor to their decades of success. 

“I am very happy to be back with such a strong organization and look forward to contributing to both GAINSCO and Porsche’s success in the 911 GT3 R.”