Racing Team Turkey Secures Historic LMGT3 Win at Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo
Racing Team Turkey, featuring drivers Salih Yoluç, Charlie Eastwood, and Ahmad Al Harthy, claimed the LMGT3 class victory at the 2024 Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo. Competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the historic Autódromo José Carlos Pace, the team navigated a tactical race to secure their first class win of the season, marking a significant milestone for the Turkish-flagged entry in international endurance racing.
Performance and Race Dynamics
The No. 81 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R, operated by TF Sport under the Racing Team Turkey banner, maintained a competitive pace throughout the six-hour duration. According to the official FIA WEC race results, the team managed tire degradation and fuel strategy effectively on the demanding Interlagos circuit. The victory was a result of consistent lap times and precise execution during pit stop cycles, allowing the trio to overtake rivals in the final hours of the event.
The São Paulo circuit is known for its elevation changes and technical corners, which place significant stress on the GT3 machinery. By maintaining clean lines and avoiding contact during the high-traffic periods of the race, the team capitalized on the performance window of the Corvette Z06, which has been a primary contender in the LMGT3 category throughout the 2024 season.
Context of the LMGT3 Class
The LMGT3 class replaced the GTE-Am category in the FIA WEC starting in 2024, utilizing global GT3 technical regulations. This shift has brought a higher density of manufacturers and professional-amateur driver lineups to the grid. Racing Team Turkey’s success in Brazil highlights the competitive balance enforced by the Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations, which aim to keep various chassis—including the Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston Martin—within a narrow performance window.
The win in São Paulo serves as a proof of concept for the team’s transition to the new technical platform. With this result, the team has moved up the standings in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGT3 Teams, positioning themselves as consistent threats for podium finishes in the remaining rounds of the championship.
Key Details of the 2024 Event
- Event: Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo
- Category: LMGT3
- Winning Team: Racing Team Turkey (TF Sport)
- Vehicle: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 LMGT3.R
- Drivers: Salih Yoluç, Charlie Eastwood, Ahmad Al Harthy
- Venue: Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Brazil
Future Outlook for Racing Team Turkey
Following the triumph in Brazil, the team shifts its focus to the closing stages of the 2024 FIA WEC calendar. The championship structure rewards teams that demonstrate long-term reliability and the ability to adapt to varying track temperatures and surface conditions. Having secured a victory at one of the series’ most iconic venues, the team is expected to maintain its current driver lineup for the upcoming endurance challenges, as they look to build on the momentum gained in South America.
The FIA WEC continues to emphasize the importance of the LMGT3 class as a bridge between customer racing and factory-backed prototype efforts, ensuring that privateer teams remain relevant in the broader narrative of international sports car racing.