The No. 33 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 returns to action at Sebring International Raceway. The historic track gives the team a bit of home-field advantage as it is home to the Triarsi Competizione shop and its drivers, Justin Wetherill and Ryan Dalziel.
The team missed the previous two rounds at Road America but is back in full swing for back-to-back races at Sebring. While Wetherill has seen highs and lows this season, he and his teammate had their best finish of the year at VIRginia International Raceway. Having confidence in where the team was headed mechanically, paired with the comfort of home, gives Wetherill an upside.
“It's been a while since I've been behind the wheel, which isn't optimal. But I'm optimistic about quickly regaining my form, especially since I'll be racing on my home track,” Wetherill said. “Last year's on-track incidents were a bit unsettling and took some time to move past, but I'm encouraged by my recent improvement in pace. Ryan delivered an exceptional performance at Sebring last year, and I'm confident he'll replicate that success this year.”
The team will use Sebring in preparation for the final round at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 8 Hours powered by AWS. The track is a 3.741-mile, 17-turn track is often used as proving grounds ahead of race seasons. The famous bumps and technical workload of the various corners provide difficulty for both the driver and the car.
“I believe that reacquainting myself with the car and further honing my skills will be invaluable in preparing for the upcoming 8-hour race,” Wetherill said. “The synergy between the car, Ryan, and the entire Triarsi Competizioni team has been remarkable all year. By maintaining a competitive pace that complements their efforts, I'm optimistic that we'll be well-positioned for success at Indianapolis.”
Wetherill will have renewed confidence in himself coming out of Sebring. Going into the Florida event, he can have a new confidence in his Ferrari 296. The manufacturer walked away well-celebrated after winning its first races in North America at Road America.
“We conducted pre-season testing with the 296 at Sebring, and it was really impressive,” Wetherill said. “It not only felt quick but also displayed remarkable stability, a quality undoubtedly enhanced by the additional aerodynamic features. I just need to stay focused on the importance of delivering a competitive pace.”
While much of a race result is built on driver and car confidence, Wetherill and Triarsi Competizione have a challenge on their hands in the form of the PRO-AM Class. The class may include an amateur driver, but in more than one race, it has been a PRO-AM driver pairing leading the field across the finish line or qualifying fastest overall. The competition is thick for Wetherill and Dalziel, but they enjoy the test.
“We've welcomed newcomers in both the PRO-AM and PRO categories, yet the lineup predominantly features familiar faces,” Wetherill said. “It's inspiring to see last year's leading competitors advance to the PRO class, but it's equally rewarding to witness dedicated racers like George Kurtz (No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3) excel in both class and overall wins.”
As the 2023 season comes to a close, Wetherill is able to reflect on what he and his team have built over the year.
“In my life outside of racing, I usually abide by a "hope for the best, plan for the worst" approach, but that mindset isn't particularly effective on the racetrack,” Weatherill said. “As I've alluded to, I've spent the year acclimating to the car and rebuilding my confidence, efforts that have led to improved performances. My priority is to sustain this positive trajectory so that I can match the efforts of Ryan, the car, and the team to deliver the best possible results for us all.”
Sebring International Raceway is set with two rounds of racing for the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS series Sept. 22-24. Tickets are available for purchase online. To follow the race from home, join the over half a million users on the GT World YouTube page by subscribing. Find your spot in the community by following SROMotorsposrts on Twitch, where Ash Vandelay hosts a conversation while streaming each race.