Brendon Leitch is eagerly anticipating an all-new challenge when he makes his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 21-23.
Leitch will join MDK Motorsports in the No.86 Porsche 911 GT3 R 992 alongside Anders Fjordbach (Denmark) and Kerong Li (China).
Leitch and his teammates are part of an 18-car GTD field that will compete in the Battle on the Bricks at the home of the Indianapolis 500. A total of 56 cars are entered for the six-hour race, which is made up of three classes: GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD.
It will be the first time Leitch has raced with the world’s fastest GTP hypercars around him. Thankfully, that’s the only new challenge the Invercargill-born driver will have to get his head around given he has already raced at Indianapolis and also knows the Porsche well.
“This weekend is about three things. Making an impression, staying out of trouble, and having some fun,” said Leitch.
“It should be a pretty cool weekend. Performance-wise, I think we’ll be quick. MDK Motorsports have had a lot of pace this season but no real results to show for it, but I’m hoping this weekend is a turning point, luck is on our side, and we can have a decent result.
“Anders is a really quick driver and Kerong is making massive improvements every weekend so I know we can be competitive.”
Leitch’s opportunity to race with MDK Motorsports comes due to a date clash for Porsche factory driver Klaus Bachler who has GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup commitments with Pure Rxcing.
Despite it being his IMSA debut in an extremely competitive GTD class, Leitch wants to prove the team right for giving him the call-up.
“I really want to show people that I’m capable in these cars. I’ve already beaten some of the best Supercars drivers in Australia and I know I can foot it with the best GT3 drivers in the world too,” said Leitch.
“Ultimately, the focus is on staying out of trouble. If we can get through the first four or five hours of the race without any trouble then we can assess where we’re at and hopefully put ourselves in the mix.”
Practice 1 for the Battle of the Bricks gets underway on Saturday at 3:15am NZST (Friday 11:15am local).
Practice 2 is on Sunday at 12:55am NZST (Saturday 8:55am local) before Qualifying at 7:40am NZST (Saturday 3:40pm local).
The Battle of the Bricks gets underway on Monday at 3:40am NZST (Sunday 11:40am local).
Battle of the Bricks schedule (NZST)
Practice 1 – Saturday, 3:15am
Practice 2 – Sunday, 12:55am
Qualifying – Sunday, 7:40am
Race – Monday, 3:40am
Battle of the Bricks schedule (local time)
Pracitce 1 – Friday, 11:15am
Practice 2 – Saturday, 8:55am
Qualifying – Saturday, 3:40am
Race – Sunday, 11:40am
How to watch:
In New Zealand: Sky Sports
In Australia: IMSA.TV
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