Le Mans door opens for Leitch

Kiwi Brendon Leitch has secured an Asian Le Mans drive which could lead to an opportunity at the famous French race.

Leitch will take on the three-round series with Earl Bamber Motorsport alongside three-time FIA World Endurance Championship winner Marco Sorensen and Indonesian Anderson Tanoto.

They will share an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and compete in four-hour races at Sepang, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

The drive follows a test with Earl Bamber Motorsport at Sepang, whilst there is a quiet air of confidence that the team could do well and book themselves a ticket to France and take part in the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours.

Leitch said the opportunity is there having recently won the Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Finals in the Pro-Am class with Anthony McIntosh in Jerez.

“I’m super excited to be back competing in the Asian Le Mans Series and super grateful for Earl’s support,” said Leitch.

“Every motorsport fan in New Zealand knows Earl’s history with Le Mans and I know he would love to have a team of his own compete in the race. 

“Next year will mark 10 years since he won on debut with Porsche, so it would be super special if we can make it happen.

“I know how hard it is to win the series. Last season showed you have to win but also be consistently at the front end of the field.

“Marco’s pedigree speaks for itself with so much sports car experience at the very highest level and with Anderson we have a strong line-up.”

It is a special chance for Leitch, who will drive a current-spec Aston Martin for the first time.

“I’ve driven a lot of GT3 cars – including the Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini – but I’ve not raced a turbocharged car before,” Leitch explained.

“It sounds and feels completely different to any of the naturally-aspirated cars but I’m comfortable already.

“Funnily enough, it’s a bit of a full circle moment for me. My first GT3 race was in an Aston Martin almost exactly 10 years ago. That was in a DBRS9 with 007 on the doors, which was pretty cool. That car has a V12 in it that screamed, whereas this car has a turbocharged V8.”

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