Photo: Scott LePage/IMSA[/caption

Team Hardpoint will take on IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with an Audi R8 LMS GT4 for Rob Ferriol and Spencer Pumpelly.

The newly formed team, a brainchild of U.S. Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur Ferriol is set for a full-season campaign in the GS class.

It comes after the duo made an end-of-season run in an Audi run by Moorespeed, the same team Ferriol competed in IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama with in recent years.

“These last couple of years in IMSA have been the realization of a dream for me,” Ferriol said. “It’s only natural to want to continue building on that dream.

“Being an entrepreneur at heart, this transition to team principal and driver gives me a fantastic opportunity to merge two great passions of mine – building great teams and racing.”

Team Hardpoint is headed up by team manager Gary Biehl and lead engineer John Horton, who have more than 50 years of combined sports car racing experience, in what Horton calls an “incredible lineup of talent.”

“The individuals that have been assembled are just the right combination of drive, experience, passion, and a long history of success,” he said.

“It’s genuinely a capable team and exactly where I wanted to be for the upcoming season.”

Pumpelly, a former Pilot Challenge ST class champion, is set for his first full season in the series since 2018.

“I am very excited to be back in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series on a full-time basis and even more excited about the team Rob has assembled to take on the task,” Pumpelly said.

“I have been working with Rob for several seasons now and have seen his career take off in both his driving and his understanding of what it takes to be successful from a team standpoint.

“Rob is disciplined and focused, and he brings a wealth of knowledge from his time in the military and civilian life.

“This is the logical next step, and I know Team Hardpoint will be a strong presence in the upcoming season.”

While currently focused on a single Audi GT4 entry, Ferriol has not ruled out an expansion into a two-car operation in the future.