AWA to campaign McLaren 570S GT4 in 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with Fidani and Wittmer
Team will run entire 11-event schedule in challenge GS class
TORONTO, December 23, 2019 // AWA Racing Team today announced plans to continue in IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge for the second year with a McLaren 570S GT4, piloted by Orey Fidani and Kuno Wittmer. The team will campaign the entire 11-event schedule – starting at Daytona International Speedway for the Roar test, and completing in Atlanta in October. The schedule that visits North America’s best sports car circuits.
After a mid-season manufacturer change from Porsche to McLaren in 2019, the team truly began to build momentum, finishing the season with a top-five at the season finale in Road Atlanta with fantastic drives by both Orey Fidani and Chris Green. The team plans to build on this momentum into the 2020 season, and will focus on a strong championship effort.
“I’m excited to pick up where we finished off in 2019,” said team principal and engineer Andrew Wojteczko. “We have a competitive platform and both McLaren Toronto and McLaren Customer Racing have been great partners to work with. Orey has enjoyed the 570S thoroughly, and produced impressive results including multiple top-10’s in qualifying – especially considering 2019 presented circuits that he was seeing for the first time.”
Wojteczko added: “Chris Green was a great addition to the program last year and did a fantastic job behind the wheel and under the tent, but his demanding roll as General Manager at McLaren Toronto meant the full IMSA schedule would require too much time away. We completed a test in late 2019 with Kuno Wittmer, and it was evident that he and Orey were a natural fit – while his speed on track was clearly evident, his professionalism, coaching skills and history of producing results without crashing cars made it an easy choice. All of the pieces are in place for a great season and I’m extremely grateful to Orey, Pfaff and Steve Bortolotti for the opportunity to campaign this program.”
“I am very pleased to be part of the team and joining forces with Orey as his co-driver,” commented Wittmer. “We had the chance to test the McLaren 570S GT4 in October 2019 at CTMP and my overall impressions were strong on how well the team and Orey performed. Orey has shown the pace and the will to elevate the AWA team to new levels of competition. No secrets here – we will fight hard all year round for the championship and race victories. Being part of IMSA and the Michelin Pilot Challenge elevates race programs, as you will not find any better racing anywhere on the globe.”
The AWA team also re-engaged existing partnerships including title sponsor Orlando Corporation. McLaren Toronto is the team’s dealer of choice and does an amazing job providing parts with often difficult deadlines. OMP is back, providing over-the-wall and behind-the-wheel safety gear including the latest OMP One SL driver suits and OMP First Evo suits over the wall. Spyder’s fashionable, technical apparel with GoreTex will ensure the team stays dry and warm on the cold days, and cool on the hot days. Fans that catch the team on the road or at the airport will once again see Projekt’s puddle jumper roller and gravy backpack – stylish and durable gear making sure everyone’s valuables arrive safely at the track. C17 Media will continue to supply and install all vehicle graphics and promotional print material, keeping the 570S looking great! Last but not least, Jordan Lenssen is back behind the lens producing the killer images the team’s fans love.
Be sure to follow along on the team website at awa.team, on Instagram @awaracingteam and on Facebook @AWAracingteam.