Inter Europol Targeting LMP2 Qualifying Points Haul for Buffer

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Inter Europol Competition is targeting to take points out of CrowdStrike Racing by APR in qualifying for tomorrow’s Motul Petit Le Mans to provide the Polish squad with a one-position buffer in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP2 title fight according to Tom Dillmann.

Dillmann and co-driver Jeremy Clarke enter the championship-deciding weekend with a mere four-point lead over APR’s George Kurtz and Alex Quinn — the closest title race of the four classes — where qualifying points could very well decide the champions.

FIA Bronze-rated driver Clarke had a ten-point swing over Kurtz just in qualifying alone at last month’s Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, when Clarke scored his fourth class pole of the season and Kurtz qualified sixth.

“It’s a new game, as we say, because four points is basically like zero,” said Dillmann. “So, whoever finishes in front will take the title.

“It’s a bit a different position than I was in in 2024 where I feel we could have only lost the championship with the gap we had. I think it was a bit more, more stressful in a way, in 2024.

“Now I just go to this year, you know, max attack. We have to try to win the race, finish in front of all if you can. And yeah, it’s very straightforward.”

The only possibility to create a gap, where Dillmann, Clarke and third driver Bijoy Garg won’t necessarily have to finish ahead of the CrowdStrike by APR squad, is if Clarke qualifies the No, 43 Oreca 07 Gibson significantly ahead of Kurtz.

“It’s actually a target on Friday night is to take six points out of CrowdStrike,” said Dillmann. “That would put us on ten points and give us at least a one position buffer. So that’s the goal.

“In terms of running the weekend, it’s quite straightforward. The car basically needs to be good for the night, so it’s a bit like Sebring where it’s mostly dedicated to me driving and setting up the car for the night.

“Earlier in the heat of the day, we can focus on qualifying and more on Jeremy and Bijoy, so it works quite well with how the FPs are separated.”

Dillmann has praised second-year LMP2 driver Clarke for his pace, particularly in qualifying, where he has only missed out on pole position twice and has outscored Kurtz by 44 points in qualifying this season.

“He has been super strong, already from the middle of last season,” the Frenchman said. “I think, as a team as well, we have improved qualifying, which is not something we focused on.

“We are very strong now in IMSA, but also in Europe. And I think he’s the fastest Bronze. It’s a tough fight.

“There are four or five guys very quick, fighting for pole within a couple tenths. It’s quite impressive.

“We’ve managed to take a lot of poles. Hopefully the same in Petit to give a bit of a buffer for the race.”

Quinn, meanwhile, downplayed the significance of qualifying, with the Englishman believing more in their performance in the race.

“George has been doing an amazing job this year,” said. “He’s handled pressure a lot better in races, especially.

“His general performance has improved loads, so that’s a positive, first of all.

“But, of course, we’re up against a really quick Bronze in Jeremy, and yes, over the season, we have lost some points in qualifying as a result, I think. I’m not sure exactly how many.

“It’s points we would love to have, but at the end of the day, it is what it is.

“I don’t think it’ll come down to quali, to be honest. I think since the gap’s that tight, and with the way the points work, and at least the first half of the finishing positions,

“I think it’s more down to the race and that’s where we’re fully focused. I think that’s where we are putting most of our attention.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John