Curtis to Make WEC Return at COTA in Proton Porsche

Photo: Turner Motorsport

Bret Curtis will make his first regular season FIA World Endurance Championship start in more than five years, having been confirmed as part of Dempsey-Proton Racing’s lineup for this weekend’s Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of The Americas.

The Bronze-rated America, who is a resident of Austin, will join Porsche Young Professional Thomas Preining and the returning Adrien De Leener in the No. 88 Porsche 911 RSR for the fifth round of the 2019-20 season.

Curtis, who has most recently competed in SRO America competition in Acura NSX GT3 Evo and Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo machinery, took part in the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours with Scuderia Corsa.

His only standalone WEC start came in 2014 at Fuji Speedway, in an AF Corse-run Ferrari.

Curtis becomes the eighth different driver to take the wheel of the German squad’s No. 88 Porsche this season, in what has often become last-minute lineup confirmations.

Preining has been the only mainstay in the crew since the season-opener at Silverstone last year.

“I look forward to working with Adrien again,” Preining said. “We get along really well and it’ll certainly be a great weekend.

“This is my first time at Austin. I only know the circuit from television. Still, I have high hopes. I’m confident that our Porsche 911 RSR will perform well there.”

Hörr Replaces DHH in Team Project 1 Porsche

The latest version of the entry list also sees a change in the No. 56 Team Project 1 Porsche, which has reigning Michelin Le Mans Cup champion Laurents Hörr replace David Heinemier Hansson.

The 22-year-old Silver-rated German will share driving duties with Egidio Perfetti and ex-Porsche Young Professional Matteo Cairoli.

No reason has been given for Heinemier Hansson’s absence.

A total of 30 cars are set for the replacement COTA race, which has been condensed into a two-day event for the first time in WEC history.

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