The event carries special meaning for Porto. Watkins Glen was the track where he made his first appearance in 2024 during a Lamborghini Super Trofeo race weekend. On that occasion, the Brazilian quickly adapted to the circuit and secured a podium finish, a result that remains one of the highlights of his racing career. Now, he returns determined to replicate that performance and once again battle at the front of the field. This objective will be shared with his teammate, American driver Varun Choksey. The duo represents Rafa Racing Team and competes aboard the Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO in the GS class. Their goal is to convert the experience gained throughout the season into another strong result while continuing the steady progress they have demonstrated in recent rounds. Confidence heading into Watkins Glen has been boosted by the team's performance in the previous round at Mid-Ohio. In an extremely demanding four-hour endurance race, Porto played a crucial role in the team's strategy. The Brazilian remained behind the wheel for more than three consecutive hours, facing intense physical demands, high temperatures, and one of the toughest races of his career. Showcasing outstanding physical conditioning, mental resilience, and adaptability, Porto piloted the Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO through an extended race stint, directly contributing to the team's Top-6 finish in the GS category. The result was celebrated as proof of the competitiveness of the package formed by driver, team, and machinery throughout the season. Reflecting on the challenge he faced at Mid-Ohio, Kiko emphasized the importance of both physical and mental preparation in overcoming the difficulties encountered during the race. According to the driver, the work carried out behind the scenes was essential in maintaining a high level of performance all the way to the checkered flag. “It was a triple stint (laughs), so I can only be grateful. The longest I had ever stayed in a race car before was 1 hour and 25 minutes, but at Mid-Ohio it was 3 hours and 20 minutes. Back when I raced in Formula cars, 25 laps at that track was already enough for drivers to start thinking about fatigue. The heat index was above 30°C, and inside the car it feels much hotter. I have to thank Toyota, the entire Rafa Racing team, and Pedro Lobo, my sports psychologist who works with me on meditation and mental preparation. If my mind had not been strong, I might have given up because of how difficult it was. Let’s keep pushing forward — from here on, it has to get easier than that (laughs),” said Porto. Armed with the lessons learned throughout the season and encouraged by his positive record at Watkins Glen, Kiko Porto believes that the combination of track knowledge, continued car development, and strong chemistry with Varun Choksey could become a key advantage. Expectations are for a highly competitive race in which strategy, consistency, and execution will play decisive roles in the fight for another standout result. The schedule for Round 5 of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge begins on Thursday (June 25) with the first practice session at Watkins Glen International in the afternoon. On Friday (June 26), drivers return to the track for the second practice session in the morning, while GS class qualifying is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (Brasília time). The two-hour race is set to start on Saturday (June 27) at 2:05 p.m. (Brasília time). Motorsport fans will be able to follow all the action live through IMSA’s official YouTube channel. It will be another opportunity to cheer for Brazilian talent on the North American racing scene and watch Kiko Porto’s pursuit of another podium finish at a circuit that already holds special memories and could once again become the setting for an important chapter in his international career.