PJ Hyett Secures First Major Win at Le Mans, Eyes IMSA Glory at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, NY – PJ Hyett of AO Racing celebrated a significant milestone last week by achieving his first major sports car victory in the LMP2 Pro/Am category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This notable win marks a swift ascent for Hyett, who has established himself as one of the fastest Bronze drivers in LMP2 since debuting in the 2023/24 Asian Le Mans Series.
"Never hurts to boost the confidence a bit with the first professional race win at the biggest race in the world," Hyett remarked, reflecting on his recent achievement. He now sets his sights on securing his first victory in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the upcoming Sahlen’s 6 Hours of the Glen.
Hyett will drive the No. 99 ORECA 07-Gibson, which recently underwent an engine change following a failure during Saturday practice. Remarkably, the team managed to secure pole position despite the tight turnaround, with Hyett attributing the success to the team’s swift actions. "Putting it on pole is a testament to the team," he stated, expressing pride in their ability to regroup.
Hyett’s IMSA teammate, Dane Cameron, will return alongside Jonny Edgar, who has effectively assumed a Michelin Endurance Cup role this season. Currently, the AO Racing team sits 81 points behind the championship-leading No. 22 United Autosports USA, following a strong performance in the Rolex 24 At Daytona before a mechanical failure sidelined them.
A victory at Watkins Glen would be a fitting capstone for Hyett, whose competitive journey began at this very circuit in the summer of 2022 with a one-off entry in GT World Challenge America. Since then, he has rapidly expanded the AO Racing brand, claiming titles in both the GTD PRO Championship in IMSA and an ELMS championship through collaboration with TF Sport.
As Hyett prepares for the race, he acknowledges the hard work and dedication that propelled AO Racing’s quick rise in a challenging motorsports landscape. "Some of it is luck, but a lot is hard work," he commented, emphasizing the team’s resilience amid the trials of endurance racing.
With renewed confidence following his Le Mans victory, Hyett is poised for a strong showing at Watkins Glen, as he aims to capture his place amongst motorsport’s elite.
