Superb first season for Oryx Racing finishes early in final race in Georgia

Oryx Racing failed to finish at the Petit Le Mans in Georgia on Saturday, but the final race disappointment took nothing away from what has been an astonishing debut season in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) for the UAE-based team and Emirati driver Humaid Al Masaood.

The weekend’s action at the Road Atlanta circuit started well for Al Masaood and teammates Steven Kane and Butch Leitzinger, who were the fastest American team in practice and qualifying. But with a number of the world’s top teams from the Intercontinental Le Mans, including Peugeot Sport Total and Audi Sport Team Joest, flying in especially for the race it was going to be a tough challenge to repeat previous successes.

In the event, and after qualifying an impressive ninth on the grid, the testing 10 hour race was cut short for Oryx Racing on lap 29. Butch Leitzinger, the team’s driver for the opening leg, was forced to retire from the 1600km season finale after contact with the turn one barrier.

Al Masaood said, “It was such an honour to compete at such a famous track. It really was one of the most technically challenging circuits on the calendar. The team are working hard to find out what caused Butch to come off as he did, but I am certain we will be back at the Petit Le Mans next year as we now have unfinished business.”

Humaid Al Masood and his team can look back with pride on a superb maiden season in the ALMS, which saw them guide their Mazda Lola Coupé to four podium finishes in seven races. Third places at the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, Mosport Grand Prix and ALMS Monterey were capped by a stunning victory at the Baltimore Grand Prix.

Reflecting on the season, Al Masaood added, “The whole series has been a dream for me and to finish third in the LMP1 Team Championship is down to the team as a whole, we have worked as a unit very closely from day one and everyone at Oryx Racing can be proud.”