COUNTY Antrim driver Brandon McCaughan believes being handed the opportunity to make his debut at the final Ligier European Series double-header in Portugal is one that he fully deserves.
McCaughan, from Ballymena, is making his competitive bow in the protype competition later this week after impressing during two separate tests with Virage Group at Italy’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain and Mugello in Italy. During both, the 19-year-old impressed the Virage Group’s Julien Gerbi – a former LMP3 champion.
With the support of his sponsors, McCaughan – who spent the first half of this year impressing in the GB4 Championship where he scored two wins and four podium finishes – has been given the “opportunity of a lifetime” to compete overseas for the first time in an entry-level sports prototype.
He will share the number 32, closed cockpit machine at Autodromo do Algarve with Danish racer Mikkel Pedersen for each of Friday’s 60-minute races, which are due to begin at 9am and 1.30pm UK time. The pair will also complete one, full qualifying session at Portimão on Thursday totalling 15 minutes.
“To get the chance to experience my first prototype racing in such a great championship, on such a brilliant circuit, is amazing and I am determined to make the most of this,” said McCaughan, ahead of him joining up with Virage Group, the current leaders in the competition’s teams’ and drivers’ title battles.
“Although I have had limited experience in these cars, my two test days were very promising, and my performances have earnt me this chance. It is a steep learning curve, and I will have a lot to learn in a short space of time, but I am hoping to adapt quickly and reward the team’s faith in me.”
McCaughan added: “I am feeling very positive going into this event at Portimão and I am confident we can go there and challenge for some good results in both races. I cannot thank Team Virage – and my amazing group of partners – enough for making this happen on such short notice.”
A total of 19cars are entered for the season finale, with the JSP4 trophies still to be decided. In this division, where McCaughan and Pedersen are competing, eleven machines make up the grid.
Team Virage co-owner Gerbi said: “Brandon did a very good job during his test programme with the JSP4 and when we saw an opportunity to bring him on board for a race, we immediately jumped at the chance. Both Brandon and Mikkel will be a strong-line-up, so we should expect to see the number thirty-two car fight for the front positions.”
