Toronto-based Pfaff Motorsport has been a mainstay in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship’s GT classes for the last eight seasons. The team has seen plenty of changes. From GTD to GTD Pro, homegrown talent to factory lineups, car color changes and the cars themselves. The team has ran three different manufacturers, all within the last five seasons. Through it all, two things have remained constant: the team’s love for Plaid and the man running the show. That man is General Manager Steve Bortolotti. Bortolotti has been running Pfaff’s motorsport operations since 2015. GT REPORT sat down with Steve to discuss recent success and newfound championship prospects, among other topics.
Back Where They Belong
One can argue there is no better time to be at Pfaff than right now. The team is fresh off back-to-back wins, their first in over three years. Furthermore, their wins have put them in championship contention. Drivers Andrea Calderelli and Sandy Mitchell are just 56 points back of the GTD Pro points lead with two races remaining.
“We feel like we are reaching our potential,” Steve says of the team’s recent success. Oddly enough, Steve points to that chaotic race at Detroit that got the ball rolling. “We got a lucky podium in Detroit. But that result gave us a pep in our step.” These results are coming from extensive work behind the scenes. “We are understanding what the car likes, extracting lap times and driver comfort. We are firing on all cylinders.”
Becoming Acquainted with a New Friend
Fun Fact: Pfaff couldn’t carry over parts from the test car to their race car
The car Bortolotti is referring to is the new-for-2026 Lamborghini Temerario. Bortolotti and Pfaff have been growing with this car from nearly Day 1. Pfaff, who became Lamborghini’s IMSA GT factory-supported squad in 2025, has helped develop the car in North America. The car first appeared stateside at Daytona in November 2025. The team, fittingly, also gave the car its global race debut in the 12 Hours of Sebring back in March.
“Lamborghini has been amazing in the whole process,” Bortolotti recalls. “We got to work on (the car) in a controlled environment…to learn. Lamborghini designed a car that’s reliable…we weren’t worried about how to make the car reliable…we were getting straight to work on performance topics and balance. Lamborghini deserves all the credit for coming out with a reliable, new GT3 car straight out the gate. I’ve been impressed with the car since I was the first rollout in June last year. The car just ran and ran and ran.”
From Learning to Knowing
With nearly a year of testing, development and racing under their belts, what has Pfaff subsequently unlocked about this car? Coinciding with the reliability, Bortolotti says tire life surely a positive. “(The Temerario) is very gentle on its tires. For longer distance races and overall stint performance, it’s very important.”
Conversely, a new car also means new parts – which have not been pushed beyond their boundaries. “We are on a journey…a discovery…as we get into the season and components get more mileage to understand where that limit is. Having a flat-plane crank (engine crankshaft) is a challenge because of the vibrations that creates.”
But even in the challenges, there is a silver lining. “We are very fortunate we have not had any major failures. We are working with Lamborghini to ensure this continues to the end of the year.”
Right Place, Right Time?
When the car debuted in March, few thought the car would in title contention six months later
Now let’s discuss championship contention more in detail. Pfaff and Lamborghini are firing on all cylinders as the season enters the homestretch. The infield road at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the natural flowing terrain of Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta remain on the schedule. Some in the IMSA paddock like the Temerario’s chances at both tracks. Bortolotti, however, likes one track in particular. “Atlanta more than Indy suits our car. A track that has lower grip and higher tire deg better suit our car.” But make no mistake, “I’m excited for Indy. I truly don’t know how we are gonna stack. I don’t think we are gonna be weak there.”
While having a well-performing car that favors the track is an advantage, Pfaff’s humble and simple approach also benefits them. “We are in this position through clean execution, good clean races and staying out of everyone’s way. That’s been a big part of our success in the past and also recently…let everyone fight each other, keep minding our business and run clean.”
Nevertheless, with the team in championship contention, surely there will be a mind shift or strategy change right? Bortolotti says not so fast. “We are taking the approach of what we have been doing is working. While we are close…I think we are still a longshot to win.” But don’t expect them to just lie down, “It doesn’t mean we won’t go for it. If it’s up for grabs with an hour to go in Atlanta, absolutely. If we have a shot at it, Andrea will be in the car elbows out trying to steal one.”
“All The Emotions Came Rushing Back”
Pfaff’s Road America win was not just monumental, but a massive weight lifted – Photo Courtesy: Ignite Media
Ok, let’s rewind again. We are talking about a team in a championship push that until very recently was in a massive drought. As mentioned earlier, Pfaff’s last win before this season was the 12 Hours of Sebring in March of 2023. For a two-time championship-winning outfit, that is considered by many as way too long. Obviously, you can look at the team running three different manufacturers in three years. 2023 was the last of a five-year run with Porsche. 2024 saw their one season with McLaren before jumping to Lamborghini for 2025.
Despite these hurdles, among plenty others, Bortolotti says Road America was well worth the wait. “It was massive. Those three and a half years felt so long. You try not to think about it, but it’s impossible. Getting the monkey off our back…all the emotions came rushing back.”
Moreover, Bortolotti discussed how during the drought things looked behind the scenes. “At one point, we all got split up in ’24 not knowing if we were going racing in ’25 before Lamborghini threw us a lifeline. We ran a year with a lot of different people, new staff. For the Temerario, most of the team was able to come back. To get the band back together and climb the mountain was emotional.”
All Good Things Come to an End
At the start of our piece, we noted Pfaff has been a mainstay in IMSA for the last eight seasons. However, their run is coming to an end. Shortly after their breakthrough win, news broke that team members were notified prior to Road America the program would conclude at season’s end.
Bortolotti hopes Pfaff will be remembered in IMSA as a team that did it their way. “What bonded this group together was how awesome it was to be part of the Pfaff Motorsport story. The way we chose to go racing was different from the start. We turned up to Daytona (in 2019) with a Plaid car. Pfaff wanted the fan engagement. We wanted to be known as a fun-loving team from Canada that had to be taken seriously on the track as well. Ultimately, a Rolex 24, a couple of Sebring wins and a couple of championships later, it was an amazing chapter. We are very thankful to Chris (and wife Caroline) Pfaff for letting us live our dreams.”
Undoubtedly, while it will be sad the unique plaid livery will not be back, Pfaff will not be out of motorsport entirely. Mr. Pfaff, who already owns Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, will be investing more in the Canadian motorsports scene. Moreover, Pfaff hopes to raise up more Canadian racing talent that can shine internationally. Bortolotti says hopefully it won’t be too long until we see the return on that investment. “If he going to spend the money in the sport domestically in Canada, you are going to see more Roman de Angelises and Zach Robichons that make their way to top-level sportscar racing as a result of his support.”
“At heart, I’m a racer”
Will we see Bortolotti atop a pit box next season? Photo Courtesy: Ignite Media
With Pfaff Motorsport leaving IMSA, what is next for Steve? At the moment, Bortolotti’s 2027 plans are currently undecided. He does know he wants to be at the racetrack going forward. “I have had conversations, but nothing is for certain. At heart, I’m a racer. I’m not done competing. It’s what drives me. I have some bucket list items I want to win one day and hopefully I can accomplish them in due course.”
While he does not know what he will doing yet, safe to say he will not be on the sidelines for long. “I don’t know what paddock I will be in or what that looks like yet. With our recent success, the phone has been ringing which is quite flattering.”
Regardless of where the future takes him, Bortolotti is all-in right now on giving the Pfaff program its deserving end. “For the time being, we are super focused on finishing this chapter on a high. We want to give Chris Pfaff the send-off he deserves for how much he has supported this race team and one of the most popular cars in IMSA.”
For a popular car and a popular team, after enduring so much recently, what a storybook ending it would be. Steve Bortolotti leading Pfaff Motorsport to another championship as they ride off into the sunset. Can they pull off “an upset?” Let’s watch together and find out.
Headline Photo: A Happy Bortolotti after Pfaff’s first podium of 2026 – Photo Courtesy: Ignite Media
