GTC (11 Entries)

THE CONTENDERS:

Alex Job Racing: After a dominant season that saw three class victories and the GTC title, the WeatherTech-backed Porsche returns to defend its title, with Cooper MacNeil now joined by Jeroen Bleekemolen for the season. Last year’s Sebring class winner Dion von Moltke completes the lineup in what will arguably be the team to beat this year as well.

Alex Job Racing leads the GTC contingent. (Photo: John Dagys)

Flying Lizard Motorsports: Perhaps the biggest movement for 2013 has come from the two-time ALMS GT championships, which steps into the GTC ranks with two new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. With team principal Seth Neiman sidelined with a shoulder injury, and neither factory drivers Patrick Long and Joerg Bergmeister part of the squad, the lineup looks very un Lizard-like, yet still has the potential to deliver the hardware.

Spencer Pumpelly leads efforts in the No. 45 entry with recent Rolex 24 class winner Nelson Canache Jr. and Brian Wong, forming the only all-Silver rated driver lineup in the class. Pierre Ehret, Alexandre Imperatori and Brett Sandberg complete the driving force in the No. 44 machine. Both are likely to be factors for the podium, with the No. 45 car also in the fight for the class win.

NGT Motorsport: Returning to Sebring with a two-car assault, the MOMO-backed effort, which took a surprise class victory at Petit Le Mans, should also be in the fight this weekend. Both the No. 30 car of Henrique Cisneros, Marco Seefried and Sean Edwards and Mario Farnbacher, Kuba Giermaziak and Carlos Gomez-driven No. 31 Porsche will be fast. It will just be a question of staying out of trouble over the 12 hours.

THE SPOILERS:

Dempsey/Del Piero Racing: Debuting in the GTC ranks following a dual-class P2/PC effort last year, the newly renamed team, which now sees the backing of Italian soccer star Alessandro Del Piero, could impress in its category debut. Porsche ace Andy Lally joins Patrick Dempsey and Joe Foster in the No. 27 car, while Dempsey’s new business partner, Michael Avenatti will have the experience of Andrew Davis and Bob Faieta to lean on in the No. 10 entry.

JDX Racing: Set for another full-season attack, but with a new car and new drivers, the Jeremy Dale-led squad is another darkhorse pick, especially when looking at its lineup. Jon Fogarty, fresh off victory in the Rolex Sports Car Series at COTA, is joined by former Champ Car driver Jan Heylen and the ever-improving Mike Hedlund, who has committed for a full-season campaign as one of the team’s designated Silver-rated drivers, Heylen being the other.

TRG: A two-car effort for Kevin Buckler this time, featuring a strong lineup in the No. 66 Porsche, with the recently re-classified Craig Stanton joining Ben Keating and Damien Faulkner. Look for Faulkner to star in at the wheel of the 911 GT3 Cup car, and potentially be in the fight for the podium come the end of 12 hours.

Competition Motorsports: The 10th entrant in GTC but not lacking any quality, Competition Motorsports’ Porsche for Sascha Maassen, Lawson Aschenbach and David Calvert-Jones shouldn’t be counted out either, especially with the expected pace from World Challenge ace Aschenbach, another Silver-rated driver.

John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at