2026 Le Mans Invitations Awarded at Petit Le Mans
After the conclusion of the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, invitations for the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans were awarded to the winners of the Jim Trueman and Bob Akin Awards, recognizing top Bronze drivers in IMSA’s LMP2 and GTD classes.
Jim Trueman Award: PJ Hyett of AO Racing secured the Trueman Award, coinciding with his victory in the IMSA WeatherTech LMP2 Championship alongside co-driver Dane Cameron. Hyett celebrated his first major win at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours in the LMP2 Pro/Am class, finishing with Cameron and Louis Delétraz. The award guarantees Hyett another opportunity to compete in LMP2 Pro/Am at Le Mans, with a potential title in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) on the horizon.
Bob Akin Award: Orey Fidani of AWA was awarded the Akin Award, following a competitive season that culminated in a crash that sidelined rival Brendon Iribe from Inception Racing during the finale. Fidani, who made his Le Mans debut this year, expressed pride in his team’s efforts and commitment to returning for another race in 2026, now under the banner of his new team, 13 Motorsports.
Fidani will pilot the #13 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, with Matt Bell and Lars Kern confirmed as full-time drivers alongside him. AWA will continue to provide operational support from their new Toronto headquarters.
Porsche and Other Entries: Porsche Penske Motorsport not only clinched the 2026 IMSA GTP Championship but also received an invitation to Le Mans, contingent on the participation of the Porsche 963 in customer racing next season. Meanwhile, Kessel Racing and CLX Motorsport earned automatic invitations through their successes in European championships.
Upcoming Invitations: Additional invitations will be distributed this weekend to winners in the ELMS LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, and LMGT3 categories, with the final spots available during the winter’s Asian Le Mans Series.
This year’s Petit Le Mans has set the stage for an exciting return to Le Mans, with seasoned competitors and new endeavors shaping the landscape ahead.
