Skeer Earns 2015 IMSA Scholarship

Subtitle:Talented Young Driver To Make Series Debut At Sebring

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 11, 2015) – Elliott Skeer has secured a full-season drive in the 2015 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, in part through a scholarship from the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and supported by Porsche and Yokohama.

Skeer, from Carlsbad, California, will make his series debut in the season-opening rounds March 18-20 at Sebring International Raceway during the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida. He will drive the No. 14 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car fielded in the Platinum Cup class by championship-winning team Wright Motorsports.

The IMSA Scholarship is awarded to a driver without prior Porsche GT3 Cup experience and is designed to attract and recognize new talent that desires to race in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama. This scholarship represents a vital first step in building the necessary budget required to race in this highly competitive championship, one of 20 similar Porsche single-make series worldwide.

“It has been a goal of mine to competitively race Porsches at this level, and I am both humbled and grateful for all the help that I have received to make that goal come true,” Skeer said. “Without the help of Jens (Walther) and everyone at Porsche, IMSA and Yokohama Tire, this would have not been possible.

“I cannot wait for the season to kick off at Sebring and to begin this new chapter of my motorsports career. I hope to not only be successful in 2015 but to continue to grow as a driver alongside Porsche and IMSA long after 2015.”

Skeer made his IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge debut in May 2014 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, winning the Street Tuner class pole in his series debut and teaming to finish second in class. He also served as test and reserve driver for CJ Wilson Racing’s Continental Tire Challenge program last year.

Long Island native Skeer is a multiple race winner in entry-level single-make North American sports car competition. He finished second in Mazda MX-5 Cup championship in 2013 with five victories and nine podium finishes. Skeer recorded one victory and five podium finishes in Mazda MX-5 Cup in 2012, earning a factory ride after winning the MX-5 Cup Shootout in 2011, his first year in racing after competing in karting since age 6.

He also has competed in Porsche Club of America events in a GT4-class Porsche Boxster, with multiple podium finishes.

“The equally prepared Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car provides an ideal platform for young drivers to develop and receive exposure during TUDOR United SportsCar Championship events in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama,” said Randy Hembrey, senior series manager, IMSA Development and Single-Make Series. “Elliott demonstrated terrific potential during the Porsche Young Driver Academy, and we’re pleased with his decision to focus his racing effort in the IMSA paddock.”

Skeer was one of five talented drivers invited to participate in the third annual Porsche Young Driver Academy in October 2014 at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Alabama. He excelled under the eye of Porsche factory drivers and officials from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) and Porsche Cars North America (PCNA).

“As we enter our fourth year hosting the Porsche Young Driver Academy, I couldn’t be more pleased with what we’ve accomplished,” said Jens Walther, president and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America. “Looking back at the caliber of young drivers that have joined us for our program, we have found gifted racers that are intelligent, well-spoken and passionate about developing their craft. Elliott came to us as a recommendation from our partner at IMSA and showed himself very well at last year's Porsche Young Driver Academy both on the track and off. With very little previous Porsche experience, we felt that the best place to develop the skills he needs for the next level is in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama. Furthermore, to be able to align him with a team like Wright Motorsports gives him the tools to succeed within the championship.”

2014 IMSA Scholarship recipient Michael Lewis finished a close third last season in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, earning four victories.

“The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama is an important part of Yokohama’s commitment to its motorsports program in North America,” Yokohama Tire Corporation Motorsports Manager Duane Sampson said. “Elliott has shown plenty of talent to this point in a variety of machinery, and we’re eager to see his development continue at this competitive, exciting level of his career.”