Gary Paffett will continue his Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) assault this weekend as the GT3 championship resumes with the second round of the season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna – the California 8 Hours.

Gary Paffett kicked off his IGTC season at the Bathurst 12 Hours in February with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 of the Team Craft Bamboo Black Falcon and instantly impressed as he ran as the race leader, in what was only his third-ever endurance race, before mechanical issues brought an end to the team’s race.

Now switching to British squad, Mercedes-AMG Team Strakka Racing, for the remainder of the year, Gary will be joining Tristan Vautier and Lewis Williamson in the #44 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the remaining races at the California 8 Hours, the Spa 24 Hours, the Suzuka 10 Hours and the Kyalami 9 Hours.

A record eight-manufacturers will contest the 8-hour race this weekend on the legendary Laguna Seca circuit. The rollercoaster 11-turn, 3.602-kilometre layout offers a big challenge for the teams and drivers, with the iconic Corkscrew, a blind downhill chicane with a 16% gradient, testing the bravest of drivers.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Gary is excited to get the remainder of the season underway with his new team.

“I’m excited to get the rest of the season underway with Strakka Racing and joining Tristan and Lewis behind the wheel. I’ve never been to Laguna Seca before, so I’m looking forward to getting out on track and going down the Corkscrew for the first time! The Mercedes-AMG was really strong in Bathurst, so hopefully, we can show the same levels of performance in California and secure a good result!”