King Soaking Up “Perfect Year” of “Ticking Bucket List” Races

Photo: AO Racing

Harry King says he’s been soaking up the chance of “ticking bucket list” races off his CV, with the rising sports car racing star now set for his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut next weekend.

The 25-year-old Englishman is part of Proton Competition’s lineup in its No. 9 Oreca 07 Gibson, joining Jonas Ried and fellow Le Mans debutant Kaku Ohta in the LMP2 car.

The entry, which has been used in the European Le Mans Series by Ford Racing as a development car for its future Hypercar drivers, will instead have Porsche-contracted driver King and Honda factory pilot Ohta at the wheel for the French endurance classic, alongside FIA Silver-rated Ried.

It will mark King’s debut in his third different 24-hour race this year, after contesting the Rolex 24 at Daytona for the first time in AO Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo in January, prior to tackling last month’s Nürburgring 24 in a High Class Racing Porsche.

“I’m very delighted,” he told Sportscar365. “Growing up when you’re a young driver, when you’re trying to make a career, Le Mans is always the end goal.

“I’ve had the privilege of doing some amazing races. This year I’ve ticked off some incredible ones, with the Daytona 24 Hours with AO Racing, doing the Nürburgring 24 a couple of weeks ago and now I get to tick off the big one.

“It’s almost a perfect year for me, in terms of ticking the bucket list.

“To do it back in LMP2, which is a car that I enjoy driving. It’s also a very even playing field, which is something I thoroughly relish and enjoy, and of course to take it around the legendary Le Mans circuit, which is a track I don’t know, but in my mind, I’ve driven 1,000 laps wishing to do it.

“To make it a reality is a great feeling.”

King, who has previous LMP2 experience from the 2024-25 Asian Le Mans Series, will be one of five Porsche factory or contracted drivers in the LMP2 ranks this year, joining Kevin Estre (TDS Racing), Julien Andlauer (Duqueine Team), Nico Mueller (Inter Europol Competition) and fellow Le Mans rookie Laurin Heinrich (CrowdStrike by APR).

“Le Mans, I’m going to be the newbie, but I’m optimistic and keen to see where I stack up,” he said.

“The Asian Le Mans Series was very competitive and strong for me. I have no doubts about my own comfort or performance in the car. I’m more looking forward to executing a perfect race, which is my ambition and goal for the first time there.

“We’re all very lucky that Porsche approves and gives us the opportunity to continue to race in the Le Mans 24 Hours despite not having a Porsche there in the higher category classes.

“A big thank you to them.”

While King will be unable to defend his CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa Gold Cup class victory from a year ago due to his full-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD Pro commitments with AO, he feels getting the experience at Le Mans in LMP2 could help him one day have a chance to compete for overall honors at Le Mans.

“Eventually,” he said. “Of course this is the ambition. You always set your sights on the top class in motorsport, but to be honest, I’m very satisfied and loving my time with ‘Rexy’ and AO Racing and I don’t see it any other way for a little while.

“I want to work hard and continue to make this program successful and to continue to bring on great results, which we’re doing this year.

“The IMSA project is my priority this year and something I’m very passionate about and want to make the most of it.”

King said Porsche has shown “an incredible amount of support and trust” in him, in his first year as a contracted driver that has also seen him compete in selected non-conflicting ELMS races in a Proton 911 GT3 R Evo.

“I take every weekend as it comes but I’m very lucky this year to be doing a big program this year in some very competitive cars,” he added. “I’m enjoying the challenge and look forward to many more to come, hopefully.”

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