Allen to make European GT3 debut
By Timothy Neal
Date posted: 9 April 2025
Aussie racer and LMP2 regular James Allen will make his GT3 racing debut in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup this season, piloting a McLaren GT3 for the British Optimum Motorsport team.
Allen, an LMP2 stalwart and multiple Le Mans and Daytona 24 class winner, will race GT3 machinery for the first time in his career at the Paul Ricard opener on April 11-13.
The 28-year old has an extensive LMP2 CV, recently driving for United Autosports at the Daytona 24 where they came away as winners after a post race stewards decision.
Allen is a back-to-back Le Mans 24 class winner in LMP2 machinery
Co-driving the #5 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo with all-rookie Gold Cup line up Dane Largim Ali, and Brit Mikey Porter, Allen says he’s looking forward to the new challenge alongside his LMP2 duties this season.
“I’m happy to announce that I will be competing in the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Optimum Motorsport,” Allen began.
“This one came as a bit of a surprise but I could not be more honoured to be trusted to join this program.
“It will be my first season in GT machinery so I’m very excited to be stepping into a completely new category, and Optimum have proven they are more than capable of operating the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo at the highest level.
“Overall I can’t wait to get started at Paul Ricard next week and see what the season brings!”
Allen recently claimed an LMP2 Daytona 24 win for United Autosports
A 59 car GT3 grid will take on the six-hour opener in France, with Allen being the Aussie named so far.
The McLaren 720S GT3 Evo – built in-house at the British teams factory – is powered by a race version of the M840T 4.0litre twin turbo V8 engine, delivering 550 hp.
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