Moorespeed will make its IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge debut at Virginia International Raceway, having confirmed an Audi R8 LMS GT4 entry for Spencer Pumpelly and Rob Ferriol.

The Texas-based team had previously campaigned an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship prior to an accident at Watkins Glen by Will Hardeman, who has elected to stand down from driving for the rest of the year.

Its Audi GT4 entry will join the team’s existing two-car Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama effort, which saw Ferriol claim his first Gold Cup victory last weekend at Road America.

The Pilot Challenge program is currently for VIR only, but could expand according to team boss David Moore.

“We made a deal to do a ‘toe in the water’ event at VIR,” said Moore. “We’re really looking forward to it.

“We’ve been watching the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge races for a while now and it’s good, hard competitive racing. We’re looking forward to having Spencer in the car with Rob because they really get along well.

“That’s one of the key things of any successful race team is for the drivers to really get along well. I’m looking forward to working with them together in the car.”

Pumpelly has been serving as Ferriol’s driver coach this year in GT3 Cup Challenge competition.

“Rob has come a long way in his driving since we started working together two years ago,” Pumpelly said. “His learning curve is so steep that he instantly became competitive for race wins and pole positions.

“To watch him develop as a driver over the last season and a half has been a lot of fun.

“Going to VIR is obviously a good track for him, and it’s my favorite track on the schedule, so I’m looking forward to getting into the Audi and getting Rob up to speed. I think we’re really going to enjoy the run.”

Ferriol added: “I began track driving at VIR a couple of years ago. I did my first track day event there, so it’s home for me. As I look toward 2020, I wanted to take a run at the GS car and see how I acclimate to it.”