Yahoo Autos Kirchoffer, Jarvis to pilot Pfaff’s McLaren in IMSA GTD PRO
McLaren factory racer Marvin Kirchhofer will pair with 2022 DPi champ Oliver Jarvis (main image) for the full season of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD PRO competition in the Pfaff Motorsports McLaren 720S GT3 Evo. IndyCar veteran and broadcaster James Hinchcliffe was revealed as the team’s third driver for endurance events last week, and current Arrow McLaren IndyCar Series racer Alexander Rossi will join in for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
German driver Kirchhofer’s most recent appearance in the IMSA paddock was as part of Inception Racing’s lineup for the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Kirchhofer, 29, was a star on the open-wheel ladder, making it to GP2 before switching to sports cars. He’s spent the past couple of season’s racing Garage 59’s McLaren in the British GT Championship and the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup as a McLaren factory pilot.
“I’m super excited and I really can’t wait to get the season started,” he said. “I’m feeling very honored that I’ll be part of the Pfaff Motorsports family. This is a big dream for me coming true and racing in the United States is something I’ve always wanted to do, especially after my single-seater career in Europe. This year at Daytona was one of the most enjoyable races I’ve ever done – I love the atmosphere, I love the fans, and it’s just such a great environment to be in. Every driver I’ve talked to has the same opinion about racing in the States. It’s really a big thing for me, and especially being with Pfaff Motorsports because I’ve heard only good things and that it’s one of the best teams. I’m super motivated to have an amazing 2024 season.”
Jarvis makes his return to the WeatherTech Championship for his first-full-season effort since taking the 2022 DPi title with Tom Blomqvist at Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian. Prior to that, the 39-year old British driver was part of Mazda’s DPi program, taking victories at Watkins Glen and Motul Petit Le Mans. He is a 24 Hours of Le Mans winner in LMP2, and spent 2023 campaigning LMP2 for United Autosports in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series.
“The opportunity to join a proven championship-winning team and to return to IMSA full-time after winning the championship in 2022 made it an easy decision,” said Jarvis. “Whilst it will be my first full season competing in GTD PRO in IMSA, I am relishing the opportunity together with my new teammates to fight for victories and ultimately the championship. A huge thanks to everyone at Pfaff Motorsports and McLaren for making this happen!”
Hinchcliffe’s participation with the team was revealed last week, the Canadian being a natural fit for the Toronto-based team.
“Being a proud Canadian, and with Pfaff Motorsports as Canada’s top professional race team, I am absolutely thrilled to partner with them in 2024 for the three long endurance races,” he said. “Since we came up with this concept back in 2021 and as I looked to make a transition from IndyCar, being in this series and with this team has always been part of my goal. Being part of this next chapter with McLaren and with their last few years of on-track success, there is a lot of pressure, but a lot of optimism. I am grateful to Chris Pfaff and everyone on the team for making this happen. Daytona cannot come soon enough.”
Indy 5000 winner Rossi already has a Daytona victory to his credit (2021 with Wayne Taylor Racing), but he will be looking for another in January as the 32-year-old, who became part of the McLaren family in 2023, joins Pfaff for the Rolex 24 as its fourth driver.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to compete once again at the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” Rossi said. “While this year will be a first for me in a GTD PRO car, it is a race that I have come to truly enjoy over the years, and this will be no different. I look forward to getting to work with the guys and girls at Pfaff Motorsports, and helping them bring this new McLaren 720S GT3 Evo to the front of the grid.”
Pfaff Motorsports had consecutive WeatherTech Championship titles in GTD (2021) and GTD PRO (2022) with Porsche. For the 2024 season, it is switching to McLaren for its GTD PRO campaign. The 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the team will make its competition debut with the car, takes place Jan. 25-28.
