GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing announced on Tuesday that it will make the switch from McLaren to Porsche for the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge Sprint Championship season.

The team makes the switch from the McLaren 650S GT3 it campaigned in 2016 to a Porsche 911 GT3 R.

“We are happy to have the opportunity to advance our racing program with Porsche for the 2017 PWC season,” said Bob Stallings.

“I have known the leadership of Porsche Motorsport for several years, having competed against them in the Rolex Series and more recently at PWC.

“We have had many discussions over the years about joining forces on the race track, but never could find the right opportunity to complete a relationship. Porsche has been a leader in motorsports for many years throughout the world racing scene.

“I have held them in high regard and always thought we might decide to race together eventually, and the opportunity to get it done now was very compelling.”

The Porsche 911 GT3 R took five races victories in PWC in 2016 between drivers Patrick Long and Michael Lewis. Ultimately, the German brand finished the season second in the manufacturers’ standings.

“Customer racing is the foundation of Porsche Motorsport,” said Jens Walther, president and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.

“We are always delighted when an organization as successful as GAINSCO chooses to race with us, and we welcome Bob Stallings and the entire team to the Porsche family.”

Jon Fogarty will return to the Texas-based team for his ninth year and his second full-season PWC program.

Before joining GAINSCO, Fogarty drove a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for Flying Lizard Motorsports, and so is happy to return to the brand.

“It’s wonderful to be back with Porsche, where I began my sports car career in 2004,” he said. “I was immediately impressed with Porsche’s GT racer and went on to compete and finish on the podium several times the following 2005/6 seasons.

“Porsche and sports car racing are nearly one and the same, and Porsche’s global support behind the 911 are great contributors to their decades of success.

“I am very happy to be back with such a strong organization and look forward to contributing to both GAINSCO and Porsche’s success in the 911 GT3 R.”