The high-speed theatre of Laguna Seca delivered a rollercoaster of emotion for New Zealand’s Brendon Leitch and William Bamber, as Round 2 of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship exploded into action under the Californian sun.
Fresh from a GT World Challenge Australia outing at Sydney Motorsport Park, Leitch returned to U.S. competition aboard the #69 Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2.
Teaming up with American co-driver Anthony McIntosh in the Pro-Am class, the duo entered Laguna Seca with high hopes after clinching a commanding win in their debut together at Sebring.
The pace was there, and the momentum was building, but their campaign took a devastating hit mere moments after the green flag flew.
As the 40-car field launched into the opening sprint, chaos erupted immediately in the run down to Turn 1. Three-wide battles into the tight left-hander left little room for error, and it was there that McIntosh was caught in the melee.
Contact at the apex left the #69 car with significant front-end damage, dropping it 18 positions in a single lap. Despite heroic efforts to recover, the damage proved terminal. Leitch and McIntosh were forced to retire, their race done before the Kiwi had a chance to take the wheel.
While Leitch’s day ended early, fellow Kiwi William Bamber was putting on a show at the front of the field. Starting from second on the grid in the #29 TR3 Racing Lamborghini, Bamber lined up alongside the pole-sitting factory driver Danny Formal, setting the stage for a high-stakes duel into Turn 1.
The Whanganui-born racer got a clean launch, keeping tight on Formal’s tail. Behind them, multiple incidents sent cars scattering, including a collision that eliminated Pro-Am contender Seth Henry and brought out the safety car before a single lap was complete.
Once the field was released again with 35 minutes left on the clock, Bamber stayed within striking distance of Formal, never letting the factory car pull more than two seconds clear.
He kept a calm, measured rhythm up front, resisting any urge to overextend and positioning the car well for the crucial mid-race pit window.
With 30 minutes to go, Bamber brought the car in for the mandatory driver change, handing over to 19-year-old American teammate Elias De La Torre.
The young Floridian rejoined 18th overall and fourth in the Pro class — a daunting 77 seconds behind the race leader.
But what followed was nothing short of remarkable.
Undeterred by the deficit, De La Torre began carving his way through the pack with confidence that belied his age. He picked off cars one by one with a clean, aggressive style, closing the gap rapidly to the front-runners.
When Hampus Ericsson, now at the wheel of the race-leading #1 car, encountered a mechanical issue, De La Torre capitalised. He surged into the race lead with just under ten minutes remaining — a dramatic turnaround.
But motorsport can be merciless. With six minutes left, De La Torre came under immense pressure from Nick Persing, who had steadily closed the gap.
The two went wheel-to-wheel into the Andretti Hairpin. Though De La Torre defended hard, Persing eventually got past. Just moments later, the young American lost control through the same corner and spun.
As he rejoined the circuit, disaster struck—a heavy impact with the barrier brought the car to a halt. It triggered a safety car, which remained until the chequered flag.
What had been a heroic comeback from Bamber and De La Torre ended in heartbreak. Officially classified 32nd, the result didn’t reflect the duo’s speed, teamwork, or potential.
Yet the performance was a clear statement of intent — this combination will be one to watch all season long.
While the day ended in frustration for both Kiwi drivers, their influence on the race was undeniable. Leitch, through sheer determination despite early misfortune, and Bamber, with a brilliant opening stint and leadership from the front, showcased the depth of New Zealand’s talent on the international stage.
Header Image: TR3 Racing
