GT3 Cup: Weland shows it's never too late

Weyland To Start 2015 Platinum Masters Season At Watkins Glen

It’s better late than never for Dan Weyland.

Weyland will start his third Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama season June 25-27 at Watkins Glen International after missing the first three rounds of the year, at Sebring International Raceway and NOLA Motorsports Park.

Due to his late entry this season, he is keeping his goals modest behind the wheel of his No. 11 Platinum Cup Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car fielded by series powerhouse Kelly Moss Motorsports.

“I’m getting started a little late, so I am still learning how to drive this new car,” Weyland said. “My previous racing history was in Pro Star Mazda and Prototype Lites. Those are very light and very high-downforce cars, so switching to the Porsche has been like turning a page.

“I love that because I’m still learning, and when you can still learn and think you might even improve in the car, that’s a great part of racing. I just want to be able to drive this car as well as I can, be in the mid-pack somewhere and, most importantly, finish each race with a clean car.”

Weyland, from Denver, stood on the podium for the first time in the final race of the 2014 season, placing third in the Platinum Masters class in torrential rain at Road Atlanta.

After spending time away from the car in the offseason, Weyland is looking forward to rejoining Kelly Moss Motorsports for the third consecutive year.

“At this level, the camaraderie of being with a team that’s actually a team is the most enjoyable part of racing,” Weyland said. “From (vice president) Jeff Stone down to my crew, engineers, our data guys and our coaches, it’s just a real team.

“I actually raced with the Ducote’s (teammates Wayne and David Ducote) in a former series, so I already knew them. Andrew Davis has been coaching me for years, and Alex Stone is someone I’ve worked with here in Denver for a number of years, and he joined the same time as I did.”

Kelly Moss Motorsports tested earlier this month at Watkins Glen, helping Weyland shake the rust.

“The test was an IMSA-sponsored test, and it really went well,” Weyland said. “That track is a driver’s track. It’s fast, tight and has a lot of elevation, which makes for good racing. With three races at the Glen, it’s going to be a pretty packed weekend.”

Off track, Weyland is working with fellow series driver Mark Llano from SERKET Racing to help those in need.

“Mark has his foundation for veterans, and I do nursing scholarships primarily, so we found a way to collaborate,” Weyland said. “He has veterans coming back who are looking for jobs and are interested in health care, so we’ve come up with a joint scholarship program to work for veterans through my foundation WECANDO. We’ve done that in affiliation with Florida State University, and I look forward to doing more of that this year.”

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama are scheduled for June 25-27 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Round 4 was rescheduled from a rainout in April at NOLA Motorsports Park.

For more information about Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, visit www.gt3cupchallengeusa.com, follow hashtag #GT3USA @IMSA on Twitter or IMSA on Facebook.

Source: IMSA