Then and Now: Goldburgs’ IMSA Evolution

Performance Tech Motorsports driver Dan Goldburg raced up the prototype ranks reaching his next benchmark during the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Goldburg originally joined Performance Tech Motorsports in 2008. Over a decade later he made his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, a feat designed for the most skilled professionals.

In the lead up to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advanced Auto Parts Goldburg reflected on his past with the team. The route he took to get to this point was a long and successful one, beginning in 2008 in IMSA Lites with the Elan DP02 and most recently featuring the Ligier JS P320 in IMSA Prototype Challenge.

“This is huge for me,” Dan Goldburg said. “I've been driving on track at Sebring for 20 years, I've been working with Brent and Performance Tech for over 10 years, and I've come to the 12 hours to support the team for almost the past decade.”

“My hopes have always been to someday run the Twelve Hours of Sebring.  It's truly a dream come true, but just running it isn't the goal; I want to be the absolute best team member I can be and give my all towards a podium or even a win. From my days moving up the ranks in NASA and SCCA Club racing to running IMSA Lites through now I've learned so many lessons that I can put into play during the race.”

As the 2021 season commenced and the LMP3 Class was introduced IMSA’s latest ladder system became apparent. IMSA Prototype Challenge drivers showed a seamless transition to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship wielding the same prototype machine in both. Goldburg is part of the first group to step up the ladder in proper form, something he does not take lightly and has been preparing to do for several years.  

“Brent always invited me into their pits for the 24 and 12 hour races, so I've been watching and studying how an endurance race is run from the inside.  One time while in the pits, I saw one of Brent's drivers not ready to jump in the car at the right moment because he did not have a radio on and didn't hear the car came in a lap earlier than planned.  After that, I had a special radio harness made so I can have my helmet on, ready to jump in the car, but still, be listening to the car radio up until that moment. So yes, you can say I’ve been preparing for this for quite some time.”

Since 2008, his journey has spanned far beyond improving driving technique and racing mindset. With the start of the 2020 season, Goldburg stepped up his physical training to that of a top-tier competitor.

“A year ago, I was not in the proper physical shape to run a 12-hour race. In July of last year, I teamed up with Rasmus Lindh in IMSA Prototype Challenge. When Rasmus showed up, I saw a fierce competitor taking his performance, workouts, and diet extremely seriously. I saw we could be contenders for wins, and I significantly stepped up my fitness and diet to get into proper race-shape.”

This new training regimen unleashed an intense competitor in Goldburg as the 2020 season ended and the 2021 season began. With the 69th running of the Mobil 1, Twelve Hours of Sebring approaching Goldburg brought forward to Team Principal Brent O’Neill all the progress he had made over the past 12 months in the Ligier JS P320. From there it was full steam ahead as the pair worked together to get Goldburg acquainted with the No. 38 and all of the rules surrounding multi-class racing.

“The transition to racing in WeatherTech was not as tough as I expected. The first race being at my home track was definitely a good move. I have so many years lapping here that I'm comfortable knowing how the car will react anywhere on the track. When you have DPI's whizzing by one side, a GTLM on the other, and an LMP2 a few car lengths behind it's good to be comfortable on out-of-the-ordinary lines.”

Next up for Goldburg is IMSA Prototype Challenge Round 3 at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. He’ll share the reins of the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JS P320 with co-driver Lindh in pursuit of a win for Motel 6. Goldburg has not yet announced plans to further run in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2021, however, he has expressed interest. For the latest event schedule, COVID-19 protocols and ticket sales visit http://www.imsa.com/mid-ohio-sports-car-course.