Victorious start to European Le Mans Series season in Barcelona
Proton Competition made a successful start to the 2026 European Le Mans Series with a commanding class victory at the 4 Hours of Barcelona (12 April). In their first race for the team as a trio, Matt Kurzejewski, Richard Lietz and Tom Sargent put together a flawless performance to take the win in the LMGT3 category in their #75 Porsche 911 GT3 R. For the team’s other three entries in the LMGT3, LMP2 and LMP2 Pro-Am classes, it was a story of mixed fortunes.
After a promising qualifying in which Kurzejewski secured a second-row starting position, the American driver picked up where he left off in the race, fighting at the sharp end of the field and keeping a cool head through multiple interruptions.
Lietz then propelled the #75 Porsche, which sports a special livery for this year’s championship, into contention for the class win with a characteristically superb stint, before handing over to Sargent within striking distance of the leader. The Australian quickly erased the deficit, overtook the leading Mercedes and brought the car home to an assured victory.
“I have been away from racing for a year and a half, so to be here with a new car and new teammates and start with a win feels fantastic,” said Kurzejewski. “My thanks go to Richard and Tom and the entire team for an amazing job today.”
In Proton Competition’s second LMGT3 entry, the #77 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Bankcy, Huub van Eijndhoven and Harry King delivered a promising performance against more experienced rivals, finishing eighth in class. The #77 car also set the fastest lap in class, underlining the trio’s strong potential.
Christian and Michael Ried’s two prototype entries in the ELMS season-opener saw mixed fortunes. The #88 Oreca 07 of Horst Felbermayr Jr., Horst Felix Felbermayr and René Binder lost out due to an unfortunately timed safety car and crossed the line in ninth position in the LMP2 Pro-Am category.
For the #9 Oreca 07 crew of Jonas Ried, Sebastian Priaulx and Mike Rockenfeller, the race was over before it really began after Ried was the victim of heavy contact in the second corner. Fortunately, the young German walked away from the shunt.
Proton Competition’s next ELMS assignment is at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet on the weekend of 1 to 3 May. However, the team from southern Germany is in action once again in just one week’s time at the FIA World Endurance Championship season-opener at the 6 Hours of Imola (17 to 19 April).
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Copyright: Proton Competition (Paola Depalmas)
