Tincknell Leads Opening Hour; LMP2, GTLM Titles Clinched

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Harry Tincknell leads with one hour completed in the Motul Petit Le Mans, which has seen both the LMP2 and GT Le Mans class championships clinched.

Tincknell in the No. 55 Mazda RT24-P took over the lead following a fuel-only pit stop during its DPi competition’s first round of pit stops under an early full course caution for an accident by the No. 18 Era Motorsport Oreca 07 Gibson of Dwight Merriman in Turn 12.

The Mazda had come in for full service just moments prior to the yellow and used the caution to top up on fuel.

A lengthy yellow for barrier repairs led to the field restarting with 9 hours and 7 minutes left on the clock.

The pole-sitting No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R of Felipe Nasr led prior to the yellow but has been relegated to third following an overtake by Renger van der Zande on the restart.

DPi championship rival Filipe Albuquerque is fourth in the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-05, meanwhile.

LMP2 is being led by the No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 Gibson of Ben Keating, who wrapped up the class title for he and Mikkel Jensen by just starting the ten-hour enduro.

The No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R of Antonio Garcia did the same for he and co-driver Jordan Taylor, with that car leading the way in GT Le Mans after getting by the class pole-sitting No. 24 Team RLL BMW M8 GTE of Jesse Krohn on pit lane.

Niklas Kruetten leads the way in LMP3 in the No. 2 United Autosports Ligier JS P320 Nissan while the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3 of Robby Folley is out front in GT Daytona.

The No. 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R was the first car to hit trouble on the second lap when contact with another GTD car left Trent Hindman with a left-rear puncture.

Hindman lost two laps at the time but has gained one back through a wave-by during the yellow.

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