Brandon McCaughan Impresses On LMP3 Debut In Michelin Le Mans Cup

Photo by: Bretton Racing

Motorsport rising star Brandon McCaughan made an exciting return to competition this past weekend (21-23 August), taking the next step in his prototype racing career with a debut in the Michelin Le Mans Cup at Spa-Francorchamps.

Following a hugely successful spell in single-seater competition, the talented Northern Irishman made the decision to transition to prototypes last year and enjoyed a positive start with a competitive performance in the Ligier European Series at Portimão.

McCaughan quickly earmarked the Michelin Le Mans Cup as the natural next step for him with its position as a feeder series into the European Le Mans Series and ultimately FIA World Endurance Championship, and a deal with leading team Bretton Racing secured him an exciting debut at Spa.

Linking up with the successful Czech squad, who won the corresponding Le Mans Cup race at Spa last year and the LMP3 title in the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series, McCaughan would share a Ligier JS P325 with Dutch teenager Dane Arendsen.

The event provided a steep learning curve for McCaughan, as he prepared for his first race in ten months. A pre-event test on Wednesday was his first time behind the wheel of the Ligier and his maiden experience of the formidable 4.35-mile Spa circuit.

The 21-year-old talent enjoyed a good start, ending the day as the fastest of the Bretton Racing drivers, and built on that with more crucial mileage in Friday’s free practice sessions. Increasing his speed and confidence in the 470 hp prototype, he was ready to go for qualifying the next day.

Spa-Francorchamps served up a characteristic change of weather conditions for Saturday though, meaning McCaughan faced a new challenge of driving both the Ligier and the circuit in the wet for the first time. He produced a brilliant performance in the circumstances, qualifying 11th fastest in class.

The track was dry again by the time the race start came, with Arendsen in the cockpit to start. The opening hour was dominated by a pair of safety car periods, however in the green flag running that did take place he was able to keep them on the fringes of the overall top ten.

Unfortunately, an issue in the mid-race pitstop meant that when McCaughan emerged on circuit, they had dropped outside the top 20. The Ballymena-based racer settled into a good rhythm from the off and showed impressive progression and consistency with his lap times through his stint.

McCaughan, who races with the support of UtilityMapz, ADM Group, Grid Team Services, McGinn Coach Hire and MacPac Refuse Bodies, ended up matching the pace of the top six in the closing stages and he climbed up the order to 16th place at the chequered flag.

Brandon McCaughan: “All in all it was a really positive first weekend for me in LMP3. While the race result didn’t go the way we would’ve liked, I was really happy with my speed and performance considering it was my first time in the car and at Spa-Francorchamps.

“Testing and free practice was positive, getting mileage under my belt and building my pace. Therefore, qualifying was tricky with the change to full wet conditions. I didn’t get much time to adapt, with a red flag cutting the session short as I was getting quicker, so I’m happy with tenth in the circumstances.

“Dane did a good job in the opening stint, keeping out of trouble and handing the car over in 14th. Unfortunately, we had a bit of an issue in the pitstop that set us back from the pack ahead, but I felt I settled into my stint well and was improving my laptimes throughout.

“I made some good progress up the order and was matching the pace of the top six towards the end, which I’m delighted with and the team were very impressed. This was an important weekend for me and my career, and it’s opened a lot of doors and potential opportunities for me.

“Fingers crossed this will lead into some more racing opportunities in 2025 and a full season in 2026. The LMP3 category and the Le Mans Cup is a fantastic platform and my aim is to continue at this level, so we’ll see where it goes.”

The Spa-Francorchamps race can be watched back at any time on the Le Mans Cup YouTube channel.

All photos provided by Bretton Racing.