Australians Matt Campbell and Ryan Briscoe have tasted more success in 2020 with the pair claiming respective class and outright victories in the 23rd Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, USA.

 

Campbell was teamed up with fellow Porsche works drivers Nick Tandy from Great Britain and Frenchman Frédéric Makowiecki for the 10 hour race, Campbell proved to be influential throughout. The trio finished just two seconds ahead of the runner-up Chevrolet Corvette in the GTLM class.

 

As a result of multiple safety car interventions occurring throughout the race, there was never a big gap between the front runners in the GTLM class, however there were key moments during the race that could have impacted the result, including one involving Campbell.

 

Behind the wheel at the midway point and Campbell fighting for the lead, the Porsche 911 RSR driver was clipped from behind and sent spinning and into a slight collision, however only minimal damage was sustained, and he was able to continue pressing to stay within the reach of the lead.

 

With Makowiecki behind the wheel for the final stages of the event, the Frenchman managed to reclaim the lead with just an hour remaining after the leading BMW had to make an unscheduled pitstop, leaving the door wide open and allowing the Frenchman to pounce. 

 

From there, he comfortably led the field to take out the trio and Porsche GT team’s first win of the year and a surprised Campbell was thrilled with the win.

 

"Quite honestly, I never expected the race to go like that,” Campbell said.

 

“We experienced ups and downs, but ultimately we drove a fantastic race. This win is something very special. I’m over the moon.”

Briscoe's shared victory was equally surprising, with the lead swapping in the final stages of the race between the #10 Konica Minolta Cadillac and rival #7 Acura Team Penske cars.

"It was such a great finish, and it just shows never give up and just hang in there," Briscoe said.

"Renger did a hell of a stint there at the end, and he kept saying, ‘I’m not going to give up.’ Then fortune fell our way. We had a fast car all afternoon and I’m just so proud of this team."

 

 

Joey Mawson returned to action in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland with the New South Welshman securing a mixed set of results during the category’s three races at the Red Bull Ring.

 

It was a solid start to the round for Mawson after he started the first race on the fourth row and finished in sixth place.

 

It was a similar result in the second race for the meeting with Mawson passing the chequered flag in sixth, however he was demoted to 10th due to a five second penalty received post-race.

 

Starting the final race of the weekend in P12, Mawson continued to show fight and managed to work his way up as high as seventh before he got a late puncture and had to retire from the race. 

 

The German one-make series now has the weekend off before two consecutive weekends, starting off with two races as part of the ADAC GT Masters at Circuit Zandvoort in The Netherlands on 30 October.