Report: Motul Petit Le Mans Update – Hour 2
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – After two hours into the 28th Motul Petit Le Mans, the No. 60 Acura Meyer Shank Racing ARX-06, driven by Tom Blomqvist, leads the field amidst a turbulent start characterized by a significant multi-car incident.
The race commenced with a chaotic first lap, when Conquest Racing’s Manny Franco spun in the GTD category, triggering a severe collision involving five cars. Brendan Iribe’s No. 70 Ferrari impacted Franco’s vehicle, while Joey Hand (No. 66 Gradient Racing Ford) and John Potter (No. 44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin) also sustained terminal damage. Franco was airlifted to a local hospital for evaluation, while the remaining drivers were treated and released on-site.
In the aftermath, Trent Hindman’s No. 45 Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini sustained damage but returned to racing after an hour’s repair to a broken driveshaft.
The Winward Racing team, with drivers Russell Ward, Philip Ellis, and Indy Dontje, secured the 2025 GTD championship simply by finishing 18th or better, following the early retirement of the No. 34 Conquest Ferrari.
As the race resumed after a 19-minute full-course yellow, it faced another caution shortly after due to debris from the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari. A subsequent 50-minute green flag run saw Blomqvist maintain the lead over Jack Aitken in the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R.
Further incidents arose from LMP2 contact between PJ Hyett (No. 99 AO Racing) and Naveen Rao (No. 52 PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports), which led to another full-course caution when Rao’s car collided with an advertising signboard.
As of now, the No. 60 Acura remains in the lead ahead of the No. 31 Cadillac, while the No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8 and the No. 85 Porsche 963 have advanced to third and fourth positions, respectively. However, the No. 93 Acura is facing technical difficulties, with Nick Yelloly dropping to last in GTP.
In LMP2, Jeremy Clarke leads in the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA 07-Gibson. The GTD standings showcase a Ferrari dominance, with Simon Mann in the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari leading after navigating a drive-through penalty and a strategic pit stop, followed closely by Triarsi Competizione Ferraris in second and third.
Key Standings After Two Hours:
- GTP: No. 60 Acura (Blomqvist), No. 31 Cadillac (Aitken), No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8
- LMP2: No. 43 Inter Europol Competition
- GTD: No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari leads, followed by No. 021 and No. 023 Triarsi Competizione Ferraris.
The race continues with further strategic battles anticipated in the upcoming hours.
