Coleman, Telitz Have “Eyes Wide Open” at Middle Eastern Debut

Todd Coleman and Aaron Telitz are approaching the Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours with their “eyes wide open,” treating it as the next step on Coleman’s “methodical” journey to becoming a full-time GT3 competitor.

The two American drivers, who competed in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 this year, join Optimum Motorsport in Abu Dhabi to share the No. 69 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo with Frederik Schandorff.

The Gulf 12H entry follows on from an entry in September’s 24H Barcelona, where they took overall pole position in a lineup that also featured Robert Megennis.

“Obviously we started in Barcelona, had an amazing time there,” Coleman told Sportscar365.

“We were looking for other opportunities to get more endurance experience, get back in the McLaren, run with Optimum again and this opportunity came.

“Frankly, neither of us had been to the Middle East, so we’re eyes wide open and this is an awesome track.”

Coleman spoke of an ambition to fully transition into GT3 competition next year, having previously gained experience in Pilot Challenge and Pirelli GT4 America but also one-make offerings from Lamborghini and Ferrari.

“We’ve been pretty methodical,” he said.

“I started off in Ferrari Challenge before I went to GT4. Sort of pretty methodical, learning mechanical downforce.

“Then we sort of chose 2025 as the year we were going to start transitioning to GT3, and then Barcelona came up as an early opportunity to try it out.

“Frankly, most people here are thinking of the Gulf 12H as the end of their 2024 season. I look at it as the kickoff of 2025.”

2024 has been Coleman’s most successful season in Pilot Challenge to date, notably winning the standalone four-hour race at Mid-Ohio in June.

However, while the 55-year-old has an ambition to graduate to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Coleman ruled out making that step next year.

“Like I said, we’re super methodical,” Coleman said.

“Aaron and I talk about progression where we want to go next with my abilities.

“I think throwing me into WeatherTech, having only done one race in a GT3 car, would be throwing me into the deep end.

“The most obvious place for me to go would be in endurance, and with the multi-class racing, my head’s going to be on a swivel.

“My goal is to get there, but obviously we’re committed to continue to run some races in Europe and get more seat time.”

When asked where he’s instead looking to race in 2025, Coleman replied:

“At my point in my age and my career, it’s also about the experience races and where we want to go.

“So there’s a fair number of options open and I’m desperate to put a stake in the ground and say where we’re going to race in 2025. We’re just not there yet.”

Telitz: McLaren “Completely Different Format” to Lexus RC F GT3

Telitz, meanwhile, is best known for racing the Lexus RC F GT3 across five seasons in the WeatherTech Championship with Vasser Sullivan.

When asked by Sportscar365 how the McLaren compares to the Lexus, the Wisconsin native explained that it shares inherit similarities built into the GT3 platform, but otherwise feels quite different.

“It’s still a GT3 car but a completely different format,” Telitz said.

“The engine is now mid-engine, it’s a newer GT3 car as well.

“The Lexus is an older GT3 car, so I don’t want to say you have more bells and whistles because all GT3 cars kind of have the same controls inside the cockpit, no one has anything different but it’s just a different feel.

“The brake pedal is different in this car than the Lexus. The way the engine builds power, this is a twin turbo, the Lexus is naturally aspirated.

“The way the TC systems and ABS systems work are going to be different from GT3 car to GT3 car, so it is a bit different but it’s a fun car to drive.

“I’ve enjoyed driving it at Barcelona, and I’m looking forward to driving it here as well.”