Kiwi endurance racing expert Brendon Leitch confirmed earlier this week he will be on the grid for the Asian Le Mans Series with Leipert Motorsport early next year.
The 27-year-old will team up with Italian drivers Gabby Rindone and Marco Mapelli in a Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO to compete in four races over eight days in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Autodrome will host the first two 4-hour races on February 11 and 12 whilst Yas Marina Circuit also features two 4-hour enduros on February 18 and 19.
Team founders Marcel Leipert and Marc Poos shared the news in a release shared on their website.
“Our debut in the Asian Le Mans Series will be a good start for the 2023 season,” they said.
“We will be participating in the 2023 Michelin Le Mans Cup, among others. We are extremely satisfied and competitive with the driver line-up for the ALMS. Our goal in the two intensive weeks in February will be to celebrate a successful debut in the ALMS and to secure podium finishes.”
It’s a big way to start the year for Leitch, the Asian Le Mans Series having grown exponentially over the past few seasons, the 2022 figures indicating in excess of 20 million fans tuned in to TV broadcasting and live streaming.
It’s set to be the beginning of what’s expected to be a big year for the New Zealander following full-time drives this season in Lamborghini Super Trofeo and GT World Challenge Europe. His commitment to those two series is yet to be confirmed for 2023.
His co-drivers are also well accomplished, Rindone with race wins in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Suisse whilst Mapelli is a well established Lamborghini factory driver whose 2022 results include second in class at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
With such a strong team it’s a given they’ll be a force in the GTX class, the series providing a platform to start the year strongly.
Further information will be shared closer to the time.
Image: Leipert Motorsport
