DKR Wins As Champions Crowned In Chaotic Finale

DKR Engineering Clinches Victory in Asian Le Mans Series Finale

DKR Engineering secured an impressive win in the Asian Le Mans Series four-hour finale at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, marked by a significant red flag period that delayed the race for over 70 minutes. The #3 ORECA 07 – Gibson, driven by Alexander Mattschull, Mathias Beche, and Griffin Peebles, crossed the finish line 11.532 seconds ahead of competitors, showcasing a commanding performance in the closing stages.

Meanwhile, CrowdStrike Racing by APR clinched the LMP2 title despite finishing eighth overall. The #4 ORECA, piloted by George Kurtz, Malthe Jakobsen, and Louis Delétraz, faced multiple penalties but maintained enough of a gap to secure the championship as the #47 Cetilar Racing ORECA, which needed a win to contest the title, fell to tenth due to a collision with LMP3 traffic.

Beche, who drove through significant discomfort during the race, praised the car’s pace: “The pace was mega in this car today! I was super comfortable the whole stint, and it was very enjoyable,” said Peebles post-race.

Key Highlights:

• Race Winners: DKR Engineering’s #3 ORECA 07 – Gibson.
• LMP2 Champion: CrowdStrike Racing by APR.
• Significant Incidents: A red flag followed a serious crash involving Michael Jensen (Algarve Pro Racing) and Memo Gidley (Kessel Racing).
• LMP2 Standings: Kurtz notched his second drivers’ title, while Jakobsen became the first driver to win three consecutive titles within the same category.

In LMP3, 23Events Racing claimed victory with a decisive performance from drivers Louis Stern, Isaac Barashi, and Matteo Quintarelli, overcoming a late challenge following a collision that ended CLX Motorsport’s bid for the title.

Noteworthy Performances:

• Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn: Giacomo Petrobelli, Jonathan Adam, and Kobe Pauwels executed a comeback victory in GT, overcoming an early puncture and leveraging strategic advantages under a VSC to secure their win.
• Championship Titles: CLX Motorsport secured the LMP3 championship after significant developments in the closing phases.

With this season’s conclusion, DKR Engineering celebrates its triumph while CrowdStrike Racing and CLX Motorsport solidify their credentials for future competitions, including invitations to the prestigious Le Mans event.

Final Standings:

• LMP2 Podium:

  • 1. DKR Engineering (#3)
  • 2. Inter Europol Competition (#43)
  • 3. High Class Racing (#49)

• LMP3 Podium:

  • 1. 23Events Racing (#23)
  • 2. Inter Europol Competition (#13)
  • 3. 23Events Racing (#71)

• GT Podium:

  • 1. Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn (#56)
  • 2. GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG (#9)
  • 3. Manthey Porsche (#10)

This decisive finale underscores the competitive nature of the Asian Le Mans Series, setting the stage for an exciting next season.