Proton Porsche Withdraws from 24H Barcelona

Photo: Xynamic

Proton Competition have decided to withdraw from the Michelin 24H Barcelona this weekend following a biking accident for driver Jörg Dreisow.

The defending Michelin 24H European Series teams’ champions will not compete in the season finale, effectively ending the team’s bid to retain its title.

The No. 73 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo currently sits 22 points adrift of championship leaders GetSpeed Team JR286 in the overall standings, and holds a narrow second place in the GT3 Pro-Am points table.

The Proton squad celebrated a class victory in the event last year.

Despite taking class wins in both the 12H Spa and the 12H Nürburgring earlier this year, the German squad were yet to take an overall victory this season.

Dreisow was expected to contest the 24-hour endurance race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya alongside Lucas Wolf, Manuel Lauck and Porsche-contracted driver Joel Sturm.

“For us as defending champions in the 24H Series, it was a very difficult decision to withdraw from the 24H Barcelona” said Dreisow.

“But sometimes there are things that are more important than motorsport: I had a bike accident and therefore cannot compete, as I still need to recover. Many thanks to the entire team for their hard work throughout the season, which we would have loved to crown with a top result in Barcelona. With the class wins at Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring, we can once again look back on strong results this year – we will return next year confident and motivated.”

The Michelin 24H Barcelona kicks off this Friday with qualifying before the race start on Saturday morning.

Source: Sports Car 365