When it was announced that Ben Keating would join United for a full season in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, it marked a significant shift in his racing career. Keating, currently racing for Corvette Racing in the WEC, had previously hinted that he would not continue in the series as it transitions to GT3 cars. Although joining United was seen as a logical move, the Texan driver revealed that his decision was not solely based on the car classification change but rather a desire to allocate his time differently. This article will explore the factors behind Keating’s decision, his plans for the future, and the challenges he faces.
For Keating, the decision to focus on IMSA and leave the WEC behind was driven by his desire to spend less time at the race track. Currently engaged in two full seasons of racing, Keating finds himself dedicating a significant portion of the year to the sport. This level of commitment doesn’t leave much room for other personal or professional pursuits. Winning the GTE Am title for Corvette at the Monza round in July provided Keating with an ideal opportunity to bid farewell to the WEC on a high note.
“It’s less about GT3 and more about the time,” Keating explained in an interview. “Right now, I’m doing two full seasons and spending about a third of my year at a race track. I have other places I want and need to spend my time.”
Although he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in the WEC, the prospect of an expanded race calendar for the next season prompted Keating to reconsider his commitment. With the WEC planning to hold eight races next year, the Texan driver would have needed to allocate even more time to the series. Keating felt that it was the right moment to step back, particularly after achieving back-to-back titles in the championship.
While Keating may be bidding farewell to the WEC, his plans for the future still involve the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours. He intends to compete in the race with United, making a return to the LMP2 class at La Sarthe for the first time since 2017. However, securing a spot for the iconic endurance event is no easy feat.
Keating recognized that winning the IMSA LMP2 championship does not guarantee him an automatic entry to Le Mans. The Jim Trueman Award, which guarantees an entry, includes the Daytona race, which is not part of the championship. Realizing this, Keating had to consider alternative options to ensure he secures one of the 15 spots reserved for LMP2 cars in 2024.
Considering the reduced number of LMP2 spots available next year and the shift in programs for certain teams, Keating concluded that United was the best choice to secure his entry. Some teams, such as WRT and JOTA, were moving on to the Hypercar class and would no longer have a presence in LMP2. Moreover, those teams expressed their inability to support an LMP2 program with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports, Keating’s current team in IMSA.
By joining United under his own name or with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports, Keating believed that it would be challenging to obtain an entry. Therefore, a move to United was seen as the most strategic path to ensure his participation in Le Mans while maintaining a strong relationship within the racing community.
Ben Keating’s decision to switch his focus to IMSA and leave the WEC behind was driven by a realignment of priorities. His desire to allocate his time differently and engage in other pursuits led him to step away from the WEC. Keating’s intention to compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours with United demonstrates his continued passion for endurance racing and his dedication to securing a spot in the LMP2 class. Though the road ahead may present challenges, Keating remains optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.
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