IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – Road America

Inter Europol Competition returned to IMSA action at Road America for the two-hour 40-minute sprint round, with a refreshed driver line-up as Connor De Phillippi stepped in for Tom Dillmann to make his LMP2 debut with the team. Championship regulations required bronze driver Jeremy Clarke to qualify, and a disappointing session left the #43 Oreca starting from 10th on the grid.

Jeremy handled the opening stint with composure, carefully managing multiple safety car periods and avoiding incidents in a chaotic early phase of the race. From there, Connor took over in P5 for his very first competitive laps in LMP2 machinery. Despite being new to both the team and the car, he immediately got to grips with the Oreca, showing impressive pace and confidence as he carved through the field.

Strong strategy and Connor’s speed in the closing stages elevated the #43 into podium contention, and the pair ultimately secured a superb P2 finish. It was a result that showcased teamwork, adaptability, and a debut performance to remember — giving Inter Europol Competition confidence heading into the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in September.

European Le Mans Series – Round 4, Spa-Francorchamps

After the summer break, the European Le Mans Series returned for Round 4 at Spa-Francorchamps. Inter Europol Competition came into the weekend well prepared and immediately on the pace, topping Wednesday’s testing with the #43, while the #34 and #88 also showed strong form in eighth and fourth respectively. Confidence carried into practice and qualifying, setting the stage for one of the team’s strongest weekends of the season so far, delivering another double podium across LMP2 and LMP3.

#43 – LMP2
The #43 crew carried momentum into Spa straight from Wednesday’s testing, where they set the fastest time overall. In qualifying, Nick Yelloly took to a damp circuit on wet tyres but was unable to show the car’s full potential, with traffic, yellow flags, and the tricky conditions leaving the car 10th on the grid.

When the race began on Sunday, Kuba Smiechowski wasted no time in showing the true pace of the Oreca. From P10, he carved through the field with a brilliant opening stint, climbing four positions within the first 15 minutes and keeping the team right in the fight as the early chaos unfolded. Two separate incidents brought out a safety car, which in turn closed the pit lane — adding an extra layer of complexity to strategy.

Once Nick took over, the #43 really came alive. In what was arguably the standout drive of the weekend, Nick charged forward with relentless pace, rising to P2 and then into the lead as others pitted. At one stage he had built a commanding 20-second advantage over the rest of the field, underlining both his performance and the speed of the car.

Unfortunately, the timing of another safety car erased that gap just as the team switched to Tom Dillmann for the final stint. With the order compressed, the strategy balance shifted, but Tom produced a strong, composed drive in difficult circumstances. Managing tyres, traffic, and pressure from behind, he ensured the car remained in podium contention and crossed the line in third position on the road.

After the flag, a penalty for a rival promoted the #43 to second place — a well-earned reward for the crew after a weekend of strong preparation, superb pace, and excellent driving. Importantly, the result also elevated Inter Europol Competition to second in the European Le Mans Series LMP2 standings, just 20 points away from the championship leader, keeping the title challenge firmly alive heading into the final rounds.

#34 – LMP2
The #34 crew also showed strong pace in Wednesday’s testing, placing eighth overall and giving confidence heading into the weekend. Qualifying, however, proved tricky. Luca Ghiotto went wide into the gravel on his first flying lap, cutting his run short, and with the session interrupted by a late yellow flag there was little chance to recover. The car was left 13th on the grid and faced a 5-second penalty to be served during the race.

Pedro Perino took the start and immediately set about making up ground. Despite heavy traffic and the penalty to serve in the pits, he gained positions and kept the team firmly in the mix, handing over in the top 11. Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer continued the fight in the middle stint, showing consistency and calm decision-making through busy traffic as the race developed. By the time he handed over, the car had climbed into the top 10.

Luca was back in for the final run and put in a determined drive. Starting his stint from P7, he worked through the order with strong pace, at one stage running as high as P4 and threatening the podium battle. A final stop for fuel and tyres cost a little ground, but the #34 still came home a strong fifth at the flag.

From a compromised qualifying to battling all the way through the field, it was a result that underlined the determination and consistency of the #34 crew, and another valuable haul of points towards the European Le Mans Series championship.

#88 – LMP3
The #88 crew started the weekend strongly, showing pace in both testing and qualifying. In Saturday’s damp qualifying session, Douwe Dedecker put in an excellent run to place the car fifth on the grid — a strong platform to attack from in his home race at Spa.

When the lights went out on Sunday, bronze driver Tim Creswick took the start. Unfortunately, he suffered minor contact on the opening lap that caused slight damage and dropped the car back a few places to eighth. Despite that setback, Tim managed the situation well and kept the car in contention before handing over to Douwe for the middle stint.

With family, sponsors, and supporters watching trackside, Douwe rose to the occasion in style. He delivered a standout drive, carving his way through the order with superb pace and moving the car up into the podium places. It was a performance full of confidence that highlighted both his speed and determination in front of a home crowd.

Reece Gold took the wheel for the final hour and managed the closing phase with calm composure, controlling traffic and keeping the car safely in the top three. At the flag, the #88 secured third place — a fantastic result for the whole crew and a podium that was extra special for Douwe, his guests, and his sponsors.

Inter Europol Competition leaves Spa with a P2 podium for the #43 in LMP2, a P3 for the #88 in LMP3, and a strong P5 finish for the #34. The team now heads into the final rounds of the European Le Mans Series full of momentum and firmly in the championship fight.

Inter Europol Competition also welcomed BWT as event title sponsor at Spa, adding an extra splash of colour and atmosphere to the weekend. With over 100 guests in attendance, the team’s hospitality was transformed into a vibrant pink showcase that became a real focal point in the paddock. The partnership was especially meaningful as BWT is the main sponsor of Belgian driver Douwe Dedecker, making Spa not only his home race but also a chance to celebrate that connection on a big stage.

The support from BWT and their guests created an incredible backdrop throughout the weekend, and the timing could not have been better. Douwe delivered a standout performance in the #88 LMP3, charging to a podium finish in front of his sponsors, family, and friends. It was the perfect way to highlight the partnership, turning the weekend into a celebration both on and off the track.

Alongside the European Le Mans Series action, Inter Europol Competition also returned to the Michelin Le Mans Cup with a revised driver line-up. With Ari Balogh and Garett Grist stepping back for personal reasons, the team introduced IMSA regular Bijoy Garg alongside ELMS bronze driver Tim Creswick.

In tricky wet qualifying, Tim battled traffic and a red flag to secure P8 on the grid. The race began on slicks with damp conditions, and after a cautious opening stint he handed over in P5. Bijoy then took the wheel, navigating heavy traffic and keeping pace with the leaders to bring the car home P4 on the road. Following a post-race penalty for a rival, the car was promoted to P3, sealing Inter Europol Competition’s first Michelin Le Mans Cup podium of the season — a fantastic reward for the new pairing.

Looking Forward- September is set to be a packed month for Inter Europol Competition, with major battles on both sides of the Atlantic.

European Le Mans Series – Round 5, Silverstone (12–14 September)
The penultimate round of the 2025 European Le Mans Series sees the championship return to the iconic Silverstone Circuit — a track the series has not visited for several years. For Inter Europol Competition, it represents both a homecoming and a key opportunity in the championship fight. The team already completed a productive test at Silverstone in July, gathering valuable data and preparation, and arrives ready to push for another strong result in front of the passionate UK fans.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (19–21 September)
Just one week later, the team heads stateside for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The “Brickyard” will provide another fierce LMP2 showdown as Inter Europol Competition looks to build on the podium success secured last time out at Road America.

With back-to-back weekends of racing, September promises high-speed action, strategic battles, and the chance to keep the championship fight alive in both the European Le Mans Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

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