2023 in Review – A Year with ups and downs!

As the year comes to an end, its time to take a pit stop and reflect on the wild ride which 2023 was. For this season, Lionspeed GP has switched from Audi to Porsche to start a new chapter in the teams’ history.

With the new endeavour also came new challenges – for the first time, Lionspeed GP committed to racing in a GT3 program not solely focussing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Within the International GT Open, the team competed with multiple Lemans winner and Porsche Factory Driver Richard Lietz who shared the Porsche 991 GT3R with Patrick Kolb. While the championship had multiple challenges along the way, it ended on a high with the first international podium result for the GT3 team in Paul Ricard.

Never forget your roots, and that’s the reason why the Nürburgring Nordschleife once again was a must for us. For the first time in teams’ history, we competed at the legendary Nürburgring 24h Race with two cars – the Porsche 992 GT3R and the Porsche Cayman GT4 CS. Together with the factory support of Porsche and the highly competitive line-up of Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet, Patrick Pilet and Patrick Kolb the expectations were sky-high. The Qualifying Race only three weeks before the toughest week of the year showed the potential of the line-up and team. Race 1: Podium 1. The proof everyone needed, the package is strong, and the odds were in our favour. Raceweek – Going through hell. The battle for the overall glory of our #24 GT3R was cut short after an early accident. Lionspeed GP had to retire the Car after only 2 hours.

Nurburgring 24 Hour, being the toughest multiclass race of the world is a battle of survival. With the GT4 CS we had a second chance. Nurburgring 24H novices and Lionspeed drivers José Garcia, Dan Miller, Carlo Scholl were supported by the flying dutchman Milan Dontje. With endeavour and perseverance the equipe finished the race in a strong 71st place.

Next year? Oh, you better believe we’re ready to hit the gas. The tracks are waiting, and we’re itching to to let you know what expects us. The engines ready to roar, the team is amped up, and we’re rolling the sleeves up for the next chapter of the teams’ journey.

We will start into the new year with the 24h Dubai, where Lionspeed and Jose Garcia will prepare for the upcoming season. Big news will follow shortly – Let it ROAR! 🏁💨