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The Battle on the Bricks was a tough race for all 56 runners Sunday at Indianapolis. For the #52 Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports crew and drivers Nick Boulle, Kuba Smiechowski and Tom Dillmann, this was no exception, as heavy rain shortly after the start of the six-hour endurance was especially challenging. Through it all, a second-position finish ahead of key championship rivals was a very welcome reward for all of the hard work.

The team celebrated the runner-up position – and its third podium – of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. With the championship lead extended from 27 to 98 points, the battle for the LMP2 title will be decided at Motul Petit Le Mans next month.

It all started on the most positive note; Nick Boulle claimed his and the team’s first pole position at the short 3.89 km Grand Prix Road Course. It was a phenomenal effort, with his fastest three laps all good enough for the pole position, which he aced by a cool half-second.

Race day brought much cooler temperatures and light rain in the air. Nick led the way from the start through to lap 7, where he wisely yielded when challenged from behind with the rain intensity increasing. He and the LMP2 field were soon in the pits for wet tyres, and he duly moved back to the front after 40 minutes of running.

Nick ran at the front throughout much of his remaining time in the car before boxing from the lead and handing over to Kuba after 100 minutes. Credit to Nick for surviving the heavy rain, multiple full course yellows, and very difficult driving conditions.

Kuba took over the #52 Oreca but struggled initially and suffered a quick spin that dropped him to fourth. There was a great recovery, however, and he took every opportunity to ensure that he moved the front of the LMP2 field with a strong performance.

Tom had the bulk of the running, now in dry conditions. He took over the Oreca with 165 minutes remaining, and while he had plenty of speed, the race-winning #11 was always just a little out of reach. Tom ultimately took the chequered flag seconds, 25 seconds adrift. Crucially, he was ahead of the #74, #18 and #2 – our nearest championship rivals – ahead of the race.

With the Championship lead, Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports looks forward to the final round at Road Atlanta, which takes place Saturday, October 12. Before that, however, Inter Europol Competition aims to retake the European Le Mans Series in Mugello, Italy next weekend!

Nick Boulle
“I’m super pleased with how well the team performed. I accomplished my goal to bring the car into the pits in first after qualifying on pole. Kuba had a tough stint in the wet and did great as well. And Tom did a monster-long final run to finish strong in P2, so we can all hold our heads up high! I am excited for Petit Le Mans now – we are working hard to make something special happen to close out the year.”

Kuba Smiechowski
“So, it was a very hard race for me. I started out on wets, and then we went to slicks for the second stint, which was quite risky but ultimately paid off. Of course, Tom and Nick did a great job, the result wouldn’t be possible without their hard work. We are in a very good position for the championship before the last race, so Road Atlanta will be about having a clean race.”

Tom Dillmann
“Overall, it was a good day, a good race, a podium. We extended the lead in the championship, and everyone did a good job; Nick put it on the pole position, gained us ten extra points compared to our rivals, and then kept the lead. Kuba had really tricky conditions – wet to dry – and did a good job and then it was my turn for almost three hours. I came up with P2, and like I said, very good championship points for us, so a good day in the office!”