The grid for the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series is complete as United Autosports confirm that Rory Penttinen and Wayne Boyd will complete their Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 team in the #23 Ligier JS P320 alongside the already announced Manuel Maldonado.
Finnish driver, Rory Penttinen raced in the Michelin Le Mans Cup last year for Graff, finishing fourth in the Driver’s Championship and third in the Team’s Championship, after scoring two third places, a second place and a pole position. Rory’s international racing career began in 2007 when he won the world championship in the Legends series finals in California. Since then, he has raced around the world with highlights including class victories in the 2014 Nurburgring 24 Hours and the Dubai 24 Hours in 2017. Rory also raced in the third round of the 2020 Asian Le Mans Series at Sepang in the LMP3 class – again for Graff.
Reigning ELMS LMP3 Champion Wayne Boyd has been a United Autosports driver since 2016, joining them as they made their LMP3 debut in the European Le Mans Series. Wayne was also part of their 2018/2019 Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 team, which finished second in the championship. Wayne, who was crowned European LMP3 Champion in November last year, most recently finished second in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the LMP3 class for Sean Creech Motorsport.
Wayne Boyd: “To be back in the Asian Le Mans Series this year is awesome. Last year I only raced in the Sepang race so to now be entering the whole series and to do it with United Autosports, one of the best teams there is, makes it really exciting. I can’t wait to be behind the wheel of the United Autosports Ligier JS P320.”
Rory Penttinen: “I’m really happy to be racing in the Asian Le Mans Series again. I really enjoyed it in 2018/2019 where we finished second, but we plan to go one better this time around. I’ve never been to either of the tracks before but I’ve done plenty of laps on the sim so we can hit the ground running. I’m looking forward to meeting and driving with Rory and Manuel. They are both very fast drivers so our lineup looks strong. As always, it’s great to be driving for United Autosports again and I very much appreciate the opportunity. It’s been a busy few weeks of racing for me, which is fantastic.”
Zak Brown: “I think we have three very good lineups for the Asian Le Mans Series so I’m looking forward to seeing how the team gets on out there. We are aiming for the championship that we came so close to winning in 2019 and I think we have got a very good chance. Good luck team.”
Richard Dean: “I would like to welcome Rory to the team for the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series. He had a very impressive year in the Michelin Le Mans Cup last year so I am confident that along with Manuel and Wayne, he will be fighting at the front. We have three very good lineups for this series so I have no doubt that all three will be fighting at the front.”
