Inter Europol Competition is to field a four-car entry in the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series with a single LMP2 entry with an Oreca 07, and three LMP3 class Ligier JS P320s.
It equals the biggest race programme to date for the Polish squad, matching the team’s numerical commitment to the 2019/2020 Asian series, and will see no fewer than 12 drivers added to the entry for the four-round United Arab Emirates-based endurance championship.
“We’re happy to have four cars in the Asian Le Mans Series and we’re looking forward to this adventure in the Middle East at the beginning of the year,” stated Team Manager Sascha Fassbender. “We have a very competitive driver line-up and our objective is to fight hard in both LMP2, and LMP3 categories, for race wins and the titles. We appreciate, and look forward to the competition in the series, as it is the perfect preparation for our future 2023 programmes.”
Charles Crews narrowly missed out on the European Le Mans Series title at the Portimao season finale, the American steps up to LMP2 competition with teammates and compatriots Nolan Siegel and Christian Bogle in the #43 Oreca 07.
Nolan Siegel is 18 years of age and most recently competed in LMP3 equipment for both Muehlner Motorsport and Jr III Racing in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, securing a podium at Petit Le Mans.
Christian Bogle, a silver driver like Nolan, is 21 and this year has raced in both Michelin Le Mans Cup (with Team Virage) and Indy Lights. All three drivers will be making their LMP2 competition debuts.
The #53 LMP3 will be driven by Miguel Cristóvão from Portugal, British racer Kai Askey and American Wyatt Brichacek. The former comes with European Le Mans Series experience, while Kai has recent Michelin le Mans Cup seat time. The latter comes from a single seater background in the US Indy Pro championship.
James Dayson returns to the team in the all-Canadian-crewed #63 Ligier LMP3 after a season-long campaign in European Le Mans Series this year. He is joined by the two Ali brothers, Adam and Daniel who have tested extensively with the team this year at Monza and Vallelunga. The pair will be making their Prototype competition debuts with the team in Dubai.
The third Ligier LMP3 sees James Winslow, John Corbett and Alex Bukhantsov team up in the #73 entry. James’ cv includes the 2016 Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup title. This year he competed with DKR in the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
John has raced alongside James many times throughout his career and has been a regular in the Asian Le Mans Series since 2020 when he finished fourth with Inter Europol Competition. Alex is also well known to the team, having raced in the Dubai round of the 2022 series, securing a pair of fifth-place finishes earlier this year.
The 2023 Asian Le Mans Series consists of two rounds at the Dubai Autodrome and then two four-hour races at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi between 11 February and 19 February.
Charles Crews #43: “It’s amazing to be coming back to my Green and Yellow, Inter Europol Competition team. IEC has become not only my home but also my family, the team and bond we built last year was incredible and genuinely special. We are coming off a record-breaking season with three ELMS wins in a row as well as leading more laps than the rest of the field combined. I believe we can carry this momentum into the Asian Le Mans Series and showcase what we are capable of there.
“Now to the exciting parts, moving to LMP2 is a dream. It’s the pinnacle of endurance racing and a real privilege to be able to compete at this level. The other super exciting part is driving in an all-American line-up with Nolan Siegel who I have been fortunate enough to be a large part of his recent racing ventures as well as Christian Bogle who has become a good friend over the last couple of seasons. I look forward to representing IEC as well as the USA proudly as we focus on bringing home success once again to this fabulous team.
“Certainly, a special thank you to Sascha, Kuba and Wojciech for continuing to believe in me and helping me realise my dreams. It has been a true honour to represent the incredible brand and organisation that you have created.”
Nolan Siegel #43: “I am very excited to be joining Inter Europol Competition for the Asian Le Mans Series. It will be my first time in an LMP2 car and my first time at both tracks, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. I am also excited to be joining two of my close friends, Charles and Christian, we know that we work well together, and I think we will have a good shot at some solid results.”
Christian Bogle #43: “I’m delighted to get this opportunity to race with Inter Europol Competition in the Asian Le Mans series and I’m thrilled to be working with such an incredible team. I’m looking forward to driving at the great venues that the series has to offer, as well as racing in a LMP2 car for the first time.”
Miguel Cristóvão #53: “It is with great satisfaction that I join the Inter Europol Competition, a team with great capabilities and a proven track record. The goals are to do the best as possible in each event, to fight for the victories race by race and to try to win the championship!”
Wyatt Brichacek #53: “I am beyond excited to be starting off 2023 at the Asian Le Man Series with Inter Europol Competition. It is a great way to get the race season underway with some top-level competition and we’ll be able to see where we stack up moving forward. After having some very successful test days with the team, I knew this was the place I wanted to be for 2023. The team has proven over the last few seasons that they are here to win, and with their help, I’m confident we can be upfront fighting for championships. It will be a big change for me moving from single seater racing, but I am more determined than ever to get started.”
Kai Askey #53: “After two races this year in the Michelin Le Mans Cup I am very happy to have the chance to drive next year in the Asian Le Mans Series. I feel more than ready for this challenge, and I am confident that with Inter Europol Competition I have the right team to develop myself as a driver and get some good results as well as prepare for my European campaign! The step to LMP3 is the right move for my career and I am very thankful to both IEC and [my management firm] Synergy for this opportunity. I can´t wait to jump into the car and start our 2023 season in Dubai!”
James Dayson #63: “I was itching after Portimao for another race. Luckily Asia will fill that. I’m going to be building on my strong finish to the season and to keep improving. Asia will be a great precursor to get ready for ELMS in 2023. I’ll be coming into Asia very prepared to push hard and look for strong results and I wish it was February already!”
Adam Ali #63: “I am very excited to begin working with the Inter Europol Competition in the AsLMS championship. During post-season testing of the ELMS championship, we worked together to build a strong foundation for the car to start with for the season as well as my other various testing events with the team in Vallelunga and Monza. I am anxious to see how all my preparations this year will benefit my first events in the car.”
Daniel Ali #63: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to race in the Asian Le Mans Series, and I cannot thank Inter Europol Competition and BAM Motorsport Management enough for this opportunity. I am super excited to race with James and Adam and I think our all-Canadian line-up will be very successful, and hopefully, we can achieve the ticket to Le Mans for the team. The team has provided the chance to test in December ahead of the championship with James, and I can’t wait to get started!”
James Winslow #73: “I’ve been a part of the Asian Le Mans Series since the very first event, winning the first ever race in the LMP2 in South Korea in 2013 and began what has been a very successful series for us over the years. I’ve been a regular in the series ever since and it helped me to secure five 24 Hours of Le Mans entries! I’m very much looking forward to driving for Inter Europol Competition, a team I know well from previous campaigns in Asia, Europe and Le Mans, in the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series.
“I’m looking forward to joining Alex and John in Dubai and I expect us to be a strong force and to put our extensive local track knowledge to good use for the team & fight for another title!”
