KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 7-8 FEBRUARY WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
From the desert heat of Abu Dhabi to the season-deciding final races of a major endurance championship, it’s a quieter but still significant weekend for Kiwi drivers on the international stage.
All eyes are on the Middle East as the Asian Le Mans Series wraps up its 2025/26 campaign with Rounds 5 and 6, the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi double-header. The finale brings together two long-distance races that will settle championship honours across multiple classes.
Nick Cassidy returns to prototype competition as part of the Inter Europol Competition squad in the LMP2 class. The Kiwi will share driving duties with American Nolan Siegel and Greek racer Georgios Kolovos, as the trio look to finish the season on a high against a competitive LMP2 field.
Also flying the New Zealand flag is Zack Scoular, who makes his Asian Le Mans Series debut this weekend. Scoular steps into the LMP3 category with R-ace GP, teaming up with Pierre-Alexandre Provost from Luxembourg and French driver Fabien Michal, gaining valuable international endurance-racing experience on a global stage.
While the calendar may be lighter than usual, the Abu Dhabi finale still offers plenty of intrigue, with Kiwi drivers playing key roles as the Asian Le Mans Series season comes to a close.
Nick Cassidy & Zack Scoular | Asian Le Mans Series
- Where? Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Saturday 1 AM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 4:45 AM
- LMP3 Qualifying: Saturday 7:40 PM
- LMP2 Qualifying: TBC
- Race 5: Sunday 12:00 AM
- Race 6: Monday 1:30 AM
- How to Watch? YouTube
Nick Cassidy arrives in Abu Dhabi with unfinished business after a frustrating but encouraging return to prototype racing earlier in the Asian Le Mans Series season. The Kiwi’s reintroduction to LMP2 machinery has been defined by genuine front-running speed that has yet to be fully converted into results — something Cassidy and Inter Europol Competition will be determined to address in the championship’s closing weekend.
Cassidy first linked up with Nolan Siegel and Georgios Kolovos in the #43 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 LMP2 at the season-opening Sepang double-header. From the outset, the trio demonstrated that outright pace would not be an issue. Kolovos delivered a strong qualifying performance for Race 1, placing the car third on the LMP2 grid and immediately putting the team in contention.
That promise was reinforced in the race itself. Following an early Safety Car, Kolovos seized the initiative at the restart, making a decisive move on pole-sitter Giorgio Roda to take the LMP2 lead and briefly establish control of the race. However, a slow first pit stop and an ill-fated switch to wet tyres, as conditions failed to worsen, proved costly. The strategy misstep dropped the #43 deep into a tightly packed LMP2 field, and despite solid stints from Cassidy and Siegel, recovery was limited, with the car finishing 13th.
Race 2 followed a similar pattern. Cassidy and Kolovos again ran competitively within the leading group as highly localised rain showers made for one of the trickiest races of the weekend. Changing grip levels — particularly between Turns 3 and 4- caught several competitors off guard, but the #43 handled the conditions well. Even so, a combination of electrical issues and poorly timed Virtual Safety Car and yellow-flag periods stalled their progress, resulting in a 12th-place finish.
Despite the results, the Sepang weekend underlined the underlying strength of Cassidy and Inter Europol’s programme, speed that simply needs cleaner execution to translate into podium contention.
That belief was further reinforced at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, where Cassidy rejoined Inter Europol Competition in IMSA competition. Sharing the #343 Oreca with Kolovos, Jakub Śmiechowski, and Siegel, the car produced a standout endurance performance. Kolovos set the tone with a strong opening stint, and the crew remained a consistent front-runner throughout the race, even briefly leading the LMP2 class in the closing hours.
From halfway, a starter motor issue added a significant challenge, requiring the car to be push-started at every pit stop. Nevertheless, the team’s resilience shone through, with Cassidy completing the final stint and bringing the car home in a hard-earned third place.
Heading into the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi double-header, Cassidy and Inter Europol Competition have clear momentum, proven endurance credentials, and a strong understanding of each other. With two races remaining, the focus will be on converting pace into results and ending the Asian Le Mans Series campaign on a high.
For Zack Scoular, this weekend marks an important milestone as he makes his Asian Le Mans Series debut at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The Kiwi steps onto the international endurance stage in the competitive LMP3 category, joining Race GP for Rounds 5 and 6 of the championship.
Scoular will share the cockpit with Luxembourgish driver Pierre-Alexandre Provost and French racer Fabien Michal, forming a line-up that blends experience with fresh energy. The Abu Dhabi double-header presents a demanding introduction to the series, with two four-hour races requiring consistency, traffic management, and adaptability, particularly in a tightly matched LMP3 field.
While the weekend will naturally carry a learning curve, the format also provides Scoular with valuable seat time and the opportunity to build momentum across both races. With no margin for error in endurance racing, execution, clean stints, and teamwork will be key as the trio looks to establish itself against established LMP3 contenders.
For Scoular, the Asian Le Mans Series finale represents not just a debut but a significant step forward in his international racing development and his move outside of single-seater racing, and a chance to showcase his capabilities on a global platform.
Header Image: Inter Europol Competition
