AWA Overview
Andrew Wojteczko Autosport (AWA) is a Canadian motorsports team founded in 2017 by former driver and engineer Andrew Wojteczko. Based in Caledon, Ontario, the team competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, running full-time entries in the GTD class with Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R cars. AWA has quickly established itself with notable successes including wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the IMSA Battle on the Bricks in the LMP3 class before transitioning to GTD racing. The team features prominent drivers such as Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Anthony Mantella, and Lars Kern, competing in endurance and sprint races across North America.
Founding and Organizational Origins
AWA was founded at the end of 2017 by Andrew Wojteczko, a former race car driver and race engineer. Prior to founding AWA, Wojteczko was the team manager at Mantella Autosport from 2014 to 2017. When Mantella Autosport ceased operations after owner Anthony Mantella withdrew from racing, Wojteczko established his own team to continue competing in sports car racing. The initial goal was to build a competitive racing outfit leveraging Wojteczko’s experience both behind the wheel and in engineering. The team was based in Caledon, Ontario, and began assembling personnel and resources to enter the IMSA racing scene.
Growth Into IMSA SportsCar Championship Competition
AWA made its competitive debut in the 2018 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, fielding a Ford Mustang GT4 with drivers Martin Barkey and Brett Sandberg. Over the following years, the team expanded its operations and technical capabilities, switching to Porsche and later McLaren GT4 cars in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. In 2022, AWA advanced to the IMSA Prototype Challenge with LMP3 class Duqueine M30 – D-08 cars, fielding entries for drivers Orey Fidani and Anthony Mantella. The team also stepped up to the IMSA SportsCar Championship’s LMP3 class the same year, marking a significant expansion into top-tier North American sports car racing.
AWA Competitive Journey
Since its inception, AWA has progressed steadily through various IMSA series, starting in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, moving through the Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA Prototype Challenge, and ultimately competing full-time in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. The team has developed a reputation for strong endurance racing performances and has secured multiple wins and a championship along the way.
Early Seasons and Development (2018–2020)
AWA’s first competitive season was in 2018, competing in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge with a Ford Mustang GT4. Drivers Martin Barkey and Brett Sandberg achieved a best finish of second place at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, helping the team finish ninth in the championship. In 2019, the team switched to a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport before transitioning mid-season to a McLaren 570S GT4, with drivers Orey Fidani and Scott Hargrove initially, later replaced by Chris Green. Despite challenges, the team gained valuable experience. The 2020 season was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting AWA’s participation in the Michelin Pilot Challenge, but the team competed successfully in the Canadian Touring Car Championship, winning multiple races and the 2020 Sprint Championship with driver Orey Fidani.
Breakthrough in IMSA SportsCar Championship (2021–2023)
Returning to the Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2021, AWA secured its first series win at Daytona with drivers Orey Fidani and Kuno Wittmer. The team added a second victory at Mid-Ohio, finishing fifth overall in the GS class. In 2022, AWA expanded into the IMSA Prototype Challenge and the IMSA SportsCar Championship’s LMP3 class, fielding the No. 13 Duqueine M30 – D-08. The team achieved two podium finishes and placed sixth in the LMP3 Team’s Championship. In 2023, AWA fielded two full-time LMP3 entries, with drivers including Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Wayne Boyd, and Anthony Mantella. The No. 17 car won the season-opening 24 Hours of Daytona and the IMSA Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team finished the season third and fourth in the LMP3 team standings, marking a successful campaign.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2024–Present)
In 2024, AWA transitioned to the GTD class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, running two Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R cars full-time. The No. 13 car features Matt Bell and Orey Fidani as full-season drivers, with Lars Kern and Alex Lynn joining for select events. The No. 17 car initially included Anthony Mantella and Nicolás Varrone, but after early retirements, Mantella stepped away, and the team scaled back to a single-car operation. AWA continues to focus on endurance and sprint racing with a strong driver lineup and aims to build on its recent successes.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
AWA emphasizes technical expertise and driver development, leveraging Andrew Wojteczko’s engineering background to optimize car performance. The team excels in endurance racing strategy and vehicle setup, particularly in the LMP3 and GTD classes, demonstrating adaptability and consistency across diverse race formats.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones include the team’s first win in the Michelin Pilot Challenge at Daytona in 2021, multiple victories in the IMSA SportsCar Championship LMP3 class including the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona in 2023, and the transition to GTD racing with Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R cars. These achievements underscore AWA’s rapid growth and competitive presence in North American sports car racing.
AWA Achievements and Results
AWA has accumulated notable accomplishments since its founding, including a championship in the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2020 and multiple wins in IMSA-sanctioned series. The team’s victories at endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona highlight its competitive stature.
IMSA SportsCar Championship Achievements
In the IMSA SportsCar Championship, AWA secured its first major victory in the LMP3 class at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, followed by a win at the IMSA Battle on the Bricks. The team finished the 2023 season with strong championship placements, third and fourth in the LMP3 team standings for its two entries. These results represent significant progress in top-level sports car racing.
Conference and Divisional Achievements
While specific conference and divisional titles are not recorded, AWA’s success in the Canadian Touring Car Championship with Orey Fidani’s 2020 Sprint Championship and strong performances in the IMSA Prototype Challenge and Michelin Pilot Challenge demonstrate the team’s competitive development across multiple racing tiers.
Series Achievements
AWA’s series-level achievements include multiple race wins and a championship in the Canadian Touring Car Championship, podium finishes in the IMSA Prototype Challenge, and victories in the Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA SportsCar Championship. The team’s ability to compete and win across various series highlights its versatility and growth in motorsports.