Pfaff Motorsports is back on the track in 2026. I have been very fortunate to be brought along on this journey. Having never worked for a race car team, but always being an enthusiast the opportunity to work with Pfaff Motorsports has not been taken lightly, and every opportunity to take on new roles and learn has been sought. The 2026 season is looking to be very exciting with the addition of a new car that the team will be driving. The Lamborghini Temerario GT3. This is an exciting change, with the cars debut happening at the 12hours of Sebring in March.
My job has continued as team doctor for the Pfaff Motorsports team. Driver and crew health is my main focus throughout a race weekend. I initially started with focusing just on the drivers, but quickly my role expanded to the crew. Jumping off a three foot high wall holding a race wheel and nitrogen powered wheel gun is no small feet, and when done at speed over and over, injuries can happen. It’s always best to try and work on fitness, flexibility and technique before a race, but even the most prepared teams can still end up with a serious issue when someone hurts their lower back and can no longer change a wheel at speed. This happened several times in my first season with the team and again just a few weeks ago at the Daytona 24 hour. When the race is going you do what needs to be done in order to treat the crew. I quite literally set my table up beside our pit box and got to work on one of our mechanics who had hurt his back at 1am changing a tire. Not the most glamorous of places to be treated, but when 13 hours left in the race what else were we going to do.
This is just one of the many instances during a race weekend where improvisation and grit play into the overall success of the team. It is quite amazing to be part of a sport where there are so many moving parts (including the car) that all need to come together in perfect harmony to potentially win a race. On top of that, you need to have a little luck. James Hinchcliffe said it very well when he described racing as being about “people” and not about the car or engines or tires. It’s people working together to achieve a common goal much like in any sport. The difference in motor racing is you often don’t see the total number of people behind the scenes. At Pfaff Motorsports we typically have from 18-24 staff working to field one car for two drivers to race.
The season is just underway and I couldn’t be more excited. Traditionally I was doing the five endurance races in the season, but due to staffing and other logistical overlaps I am going to be attending the six remaining sprint races for the 2026 season. So next up is Long Beach California for me in April. Also, a new car.
A.
Dr. Adam Wade 