Sky-Tempesta Enters Gulf 12H With McLaren, Garage 59

Sky-Tempesta Racing has aligned with McLaren squad Garage 59 for an entry into next weekend’s Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Chris Froggatt, Eddie Cheever III, Jonathan Hui and Kevin Tse will share the Sky-liveried No. 93 McLaren 720S GT3 at the Gulf 12 Hours, signifying Sky-Tempesta’s first race with the British manufacturer.

The British team previously competed in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS with a Ferrari run by AF Corse, before switching to Mercedes-AMG this year.

Sky-Tempesta started the 2022 campaign with operational support from GruppeM Racing but changed to Haupt Racing Team at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa.

It also entered the FIA Motorsport Games with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo prepared by RAM Racing.

Sportscar365 understands that the McLaren effort is currently planned as a one-off, with Sky-Tempesta yet to confirm its full-season plans for 2023.

“I’m excited to be working with Garage 59 for the first time, once a formidable competitor in previous years and a team I have great respect and admiration for,” said Bronze driver Hui, who was part of Sky-Tempesta’s GTWC Europe lineup this year.

“I’ve only had a brief taste of the 720S GT3 in Barcelona but felt comfortable straight away; undoubtedly the learning curve will be steep but I’m up for the challenge!”

2016 GTWC Europe Endurance Cup overall champion Garage 59 will also field the No. 88 McLaren under its own name for its first attempt at the Gulf 12 Hours.

McLaren Automotive factory driver Marvin Kirchhofer spearheads the lineup alongside Benjamin Goethe and Alexander West.

All three raced in GTWC Europe Endurance Cup this year but with different teams.

Kirchhofer was part of JOTA’s Pro-class entry, while Goethe won the Silver Cup title in a Team WRT Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II. West represented Garage 59 in the Pro-Am class.

“I’m really looking forward to my first race in the McLaren and with Garage 59; I’m excited about that,” said Goethe, who has driven WRT Audis since 2020.

“Abu Dhabi is a great race track too so it should be a good experience all round. Hopefully we can achieve a good result!”